Serving Northeast Louisiana Cancer Patients

Resources

About

The Cancer Foundation League (CFL) is affiliated with the Louisiana Cancer Foundation as a fundraising arm to help with outreach and to support the Foundation’s programs and services. We aim to provide direct financial assistance to individuals diagnosed with cancer.

Mission

The Mission of the Cancer Foundation League (CFL) is to provide services to area cancer patients and also to support the Louisiana Cancer Foundation.

Our Motto is Seldom Seen, but Strongly Felt.

The CFL is affiliated with the Louisiana Cancer Foundation as a fundraising arm to help with outreach and to support the Foundation’s programs and services. We aim to provide direct financial assistance to individuals diagnosed with cancer.

The CFL is committed to improving the financial, emotional, and physical well-being of cancer patients in Northeast Louisiana. We hope to help lighten the financial burden so that a patient and his/her family can concentrate their efforts on fighting the disease of cancer.

What We Do

The Cancer Foundation League (CFL) has one primary fundraiser a year, a Gala. One hundred percent of all funds raised are distributed locally in Northeast Louisiana. In 2010, we expanded our fundraising efforts to include a 5K Run and the 1st annual "Theresa Marsala Golf Tournament."

Of the funds raised through these events, seventy percent (70%) of the funds go to the CFL for patient services to help patients with costs such as medication expenses, transportation to and from treatments, utility bills, medical equipment, car notes, and mortgage or rent payments. In addition, the funds are used to help with our annual Christmas baskets that are distributed to area patients we have helped in the previous year. Thirty percent (30%) of raised funds are given to the Louisiana Cancer Foundation to help with their programs, such as support groups, providing 4 free public cancer screenings a year, and grants. For more information on the Louisiana Cancer Foundation, visit their website at www.louisianacancerfoundation.org.

To be eligible for assistance, you must be a cancer patient who lives in Northeast Louisiana or who is receiving cancer treatment in Northeast Louisiana. If you qualify, you can complete an application.

Debbie Sawyer

President

Debbie Sawyer is a graduate of Neville High School and Louisiana Tech University. Since 1990 she has worked at Sawyer Industrial Plastics as Sales Manager, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, and currently the President overseeing the day-to-day operations. Among many awards, Debbie was Awarded the Jim Shipp Young Business Leader Award becoming the first Woman that had ever received the award. Debbie is active in may volunteer organizations in the community. She has a deep passion for helping cancer patients of our area and was a Charter Board Member of the Louisiana Cancer Foundation as well as a Charter member of the Cancer Foundation League. Chaired multiple CFL Committees and Developed and Chaired the Angel Wings Charity Fundraising Project. Debbie was married in 1986 to William D. Sawyer, Jr. and has three adult children and grandchildren.

Susan Harwood

Vice President/President Elect

Susan has been a member of CFL for over 15 years and has held many board positions including Treasurer for multiple years. Susan was instrumental in getting Debbie Bourg of DBK Dance to donate the proceeds of Fashion Fusion to CFL. Currently Susan is President-Elect overseeing the Membership Committee and will take over the leadership of CFL as President in 2024.

Holly Nichols

Recording Secretary

Katie Socia

Corresponding Secretary

Erin Etheridge

Treasurer

Erin, a native of West Monroe, Louisiana, has a drive and passion for both business and community service. She obtained her bachelor’s degree in business administration with a concentration in Management from the University of Louisiana at Monroe. As the owner of Bayou Branded Marketing Co., Erin has established herself as a successful entrepreneur. Beyond her professional endeavors, she is deeply committed to making a positive impact in the community. For the past three years, she has been actively involved with the Cancer Foundation League and is currently serving her second term as the CFL treasurer. She finds great fulfillment in knowing the funds raised stay right here in our region and appreciates being a part of alleviating any financial burdens patients may be struggling with during such a difficult time in their lives. Outside of work and volunteering, Erin enjoys spending time with her precious little girl, Hallie Elaine, her husband, Caleb, and her pets, Koda and Manny.

Sarah Grant

Assistant Treasurer

Kayleigh Mailhes

Publicity

Just call her the "Marketing Meteorologist!" Currently working in advertising, it was a job at KTVE as a "weather lady" that brought her to Monroe. She loves serving on with the fabulous women of the Cancer Foundation League! Kayleigh is married to Justin, and they have a son and daughter. She is an active member of First Methodist Monroe, and serves on their Board of Trustees, Charis Ministries, and as a Sunday School. During the school year, she is a reader for United Way of NELA’s READ.LEARN.SUCCEED. program.

Marion Wilson

Immediate Past President

Marion is a native of Monroe La. She attended St Frederick High School and Northeast La University graduating with a BA in Elementary Education and a master’s in special education. She has been a member of CFL for 10 years and has served on the board as member at large. She has worked on the golf tournament committee, served as acquisitions chair for gala, volunteered for numerous screenings and helped with Fashion Fusion this year. She is married to Bill Willson and has two incredible boys. Edmund works at CNB Bank in Shreveport and Gordon is a Jr. at LSU in Mechanical Engineering.

Donna Jackson

Patient Services/LCF Representative

Currently is Assistant Director of the Louisiana Cancer Foundation. She is Past President of the Junior League of Monroe and is an active volunteer with several local charitable agencies. Past boards service include Center for Children & Families,Children’s Coalition of Northeast Louisiana, State board of Prevent Child Abuse, Go Care, Grace Episcopal School, Youth House of Ouachita, Junior League of Monroe, CASA of Fourth Judicial District and Northeast Louisiana Affiliate of Susan G. Komen.

Members at Large

2023/2024

Debbie Bourg, Stephanie Bryant, Laura Nickelson, Michele Turrentine, Stephanie Weaver, & Melinda Winn

Fashion Fusion
Mar 09, 2024
Monroe Civic Center
Theresa Marsala Memorial Golf Classic
Jun 07, 2024
Frenchmans Bend Country Club
Save the Date for the Theresa Marsala Memorial Golf Tournament on June 7, 2024!
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An Evening Of Southern Elegance
Jan 01, 2025
Bayou DeSiard Country Club
Thank you for all of your support during the 2024 Gala. We will see you in January 2025!
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