SHREVEPORT, La. — Supporters of the Ochsner LSU Health – Feist-Weiller Cancer Center gathered at the Scottish Rite Cathedral on Feb. 12 for the annual Life Savers gala, raising more than $200,000 to support renovations of the McDade House.
Life Savers is an annual fundraiser for North Louisiana’s only academic cancer center, which serves a region with some of the highest cancer incidence rates in the nation.
Proceeds from the event will go toward a $2.1 million capital campaign to restore and reopen the McDade House, a hospitality home designed to provide patients traveling for treatment with a comfortable place to stay while receiving outpatient care. The facility has been closed for several years and will undergo significant updates before reopening.
Center officials said the addition of dedicated hospitality housing will allow the expansion of advanced therapies, including cellular therapies such as CAR-T, enabling more patients in the Shreveport-Bossier region to access specialized treatment locally.
“As the only academic cancer center in North Louisiana, we tackle some of the highest cancer incidence rates in the country. The renovation of the McDade House isn’t just a building project; it is a vital clinical resource,” said Dr. Richard Mansour, director of Feist-Weiller Cancer Center. “By removing the barrier of travel and lodging, we allow our patients to focus entirely on their recovery while we provide them with the most advanced cellular therapies available today.”
Author and television personality Monyetta Shaw-Carter attended the event. A Shreveport native and breast cancer survivor, Shaw-Carter said her connection to the center’s mission is personal.
“Being back in my hometown of Shreveport to support this mission is incredibly personal for me,” she said. “After my own battle with breast cancer, I understand that healing requires more than just medicine; it requires a support system. The McDade House will be that support system for so many, offering a place of peace and comfort during the hardest fight of their lives.”
During the gala, the center honored Dr. Gary Burton and Dr. Glenn Mills for 40 years of service. Officials said their leadership has shaped patient care and physician education at the institution.
“Dr. Burton and Dr. Mills have been the heart and soul of this cancer center for four decades,” said Dr. Mike Sewell, professor and chair of internal medicine at LSU Health Shreveport. “Their dedication has not only saved countless lives but has also shaped the careers of every physician they’ve mentored, myself included. It is only fitting that as we celebrate their 40 years of service, we continue their legacy by investing in the McDade House and the future of patient-centered care at Feist-Weiller Cancer Center.”
Life Savers 2026: Golden Age Gala was sponsored by Genentech, with additional support from regional businesses, medical professionals and philanthropic organizations. All proceeds will be directed toward the McDade House renovation campaign.
