NEW ORLEANS – Copeland’s of New Orleans is hosting an event benefiting the Al Copeland Foundation (ACF) on National Fried Chicken Day, Wednesday, July 6, 2016, to ensure that critical funds are raised to open the new immunotherapy trial for Merkel Cell Cancer in the Gulf South.
The 1st Annual Copeland’s Chicken Jam will be held at Southport Hall, 200 Monticello Ave., from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. There will be performances by Me and My Friends and Bag of Donuts, a Kid’s Area sponsored by Kids & Family New Orleans, local food trucks, Copeland’s Spicy Herb Fried Chicken, a cash bar and more.
Pre-purchased tickets are $10 online, $15 at the door, $5 for ages 6 and up and kids 5 and under will be admitted for free.
All proceeds will support the Al Copeland Foundation in bringing an immunotherapy trial for Merkel Cell Cancer to the LSUHSC Stanley S. Scott Cancer Center. These funds will also assist ACF to recruit community members with Merkel Cell Cancer who are in need of this ground breaking treatment.
LSUHSC Stanley S. Scott Cancer Center has been selected as a site to open the new immunotherapy trial for Merkel Cell Cancer entitled “Testing an experimental medication (MK-3475) for the Treatment of Merkel Cell Cancer.” The trial is scheduled to open once approved by the university authorities.
“The Al Copeland Foundation was founded based on a promise and the promise is being fulfilled when it comes to Merkel Cell cancer thanks to those who have donated in the past and present,” said Al Copeland Jr., Chairman of the Board and CEO of Al Copeland Foundation. “Fried chicken is part of our heritage and legacy and what better way to celebrate and raise funds on National Fried Chicken Day. Our goal is to raise $35,000 for this event but it doesn’t stop there. We have to continue setting goals for each one of our events to raise funds to further local research and programs which will in turn bring trials for personalized medicine home to the Gulf South region.”
At this time, the closest site for the local community to enroll in this trial is in Tampa, FL. This initiative is expanding the Al Copeland Foundation-LSU Health Science Center Partnership in Viruses, Cancer and Immunotherapy to ensure this treatment and the cure for all cancers are available locally to save the lives of the Gulf South community.
Beginning on Al Copeland Day, Tuesday, June 28, through National Fried Chicken Day, Wednesday, July 6, the Al Copeland Foundation will raise funds at the Copeland Family of Restaurants and at a new family friendly event, Chicken Jam. Throughout these 9 days at the Copeland Family of Restaurants and at Copeland’s Chicken Jam, those who donate $5 to ACF will receive a $10 gift certificate to Copeland’s of New Orleans or Cheesecake Bistro by Copeland’s.
The Al Copeland Foundation is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt public charity. Al Copeland Sr., an American entrepreneur, was diagnosed with Merkel Cell Carcinoma, a rare form of cancer, in 2007. After exploring treatment, Copeland lost his battle to cancer on March 23, 2008, at the age of 64. Since Copeland’s death, it has been the Copeland family’s mission to “Change the Course of Cancer,” therefore establishing the Al Copeland Foundation to fight cancer through improved research.
