NEW ORLEANS — During its 2019 fiscal year, Hogs for the Cause – the premier funding source for pediatric brain cancer outreach services in the United States – dispersed grants and made charitable contributions of nearly $1 million, delivering a 21-percent increase in giving over 2018.
The New Orleans-based nonprofit organization shared the announcement this morning in a press release, revealing that they’ve presented contributions totaling $933,115, which includes Hogs’ 1000th grant since its inception in 2009, and have helped families from 41 of 50 states.
“Hogs for the Cause could not do this without the dedicated teams and their overwhelming fundraising efforts,” said Becker Hall, cofounder and chief executive officer for Hogs. “Their generosity doesn’t just make our organization, it changes the lives of the families we touch. It gives them just a moment to pause and focus on their children.”
The 2019 charitable contributions comprise direct grants to help families experiencing the burdens associated with pediatric brain cancer, as well as financial contributions to children’s hospitals treating brain cancer patients.
“The emotional burden of cancer is often overshadowed by the financial burden; that’s where we help with unrestricted grants given directly to the families in need,” said Rene Louapre, cofounder and chief operating officer of Hogs for the Cause. “It has been our mission to provide some relief to families so that they can focus on their child and not the variable expenses along the difficult path ahead of them.”
During its 11th annual event in March, Hogs for the Cause welcomed more than 30,000 people to the UNO Lakefront Arena grounds for a two-day festival that featured a barbeque competition between 90 fundraising teams, live music spread across three stages, and kid-friendly activities.
Hogs for the Cause works with both local and national children’s hospitals, including Children’s Hospital of New Orleans, Ochsner Hospital for Children, Duke Children’s Hospital, Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) Children’s Hospital, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Scottish Rite, and Children’s Hospital of San Antonio.
They recently partnered with Children’s Hospital to provide comfortable on-campus housing to families with children who are undergoing cancer treatment.
In September of 2018, the team launched the Hogs House – a multi-million dollar project featuring 14 family suites with private bathrooms. The common areas include two family lounges, kitchen spaces, and a laundry room. Through Hogs House, kids can play with one another and parents can create support system.
For more highlights of the 2019 Hogs for the Cause event, visit hogsforthecause.org.
