Our History:

Cancer Services of Greater Baton Rouge began
in 1959 as a United Way agency with the sole objective of providing home visits to those with cancer. Almost fifty years later, while still true
to our mission of improving life for those living with cancer, we have grown tremendously and work harder than ever to meet the changing medical, financial and emotional needs of cancer patients and their families throughout our 10-parish service area. In 2008 alone, we served more than 5,000 people and have an operating budget of over $1.7 million.

Cancer Services is still proudly affiliated with, and funded by, the Capital Area United Way. Other sources of funding include private donations, special events, grants and bequests. We do not receive any type of government funding, Medicare, Medicaid, or insurance reimbursements for any of the services we provide.

The current Executive Director is Mimi Riché. She leads a team of seventeen staff members and more than 200 volunteers.

Please contact us at (225) 927-2273 for any additional information.


Read further for a detailed history of Cancer Services...

Cancer Services of Greater Baton Rouge is a local, independent, not-for-profit (501 C3) organization whose mission is to improve life for those living with cancer. In 1949, the agency started as a local affiliate of the American Cancer Society with offices in the old Parish Health Unit. Totally funded by the Community Chest (later the United Givers' Fund, now known as Capital Area United Way), it was staffed in 1957, when Anna Jane Warriner became Executive Secretary.

In 1959 the American Cancer Society asked its local affiliates to withdraw from the United Givers' Fund in order to conduct annual fund-raising efforts in support of national cancer research. While recognizing the importance of research, members of the Board of Directors voted to continue fulfilling the agency's original mission of providing programs and services for local cancer patients - using the United Giver's Fund as the organization's fund-raising arm. All former Board members transferred to the new organization, as did Mrs. Warriner, who held the position of Executive Secretary until 1975.

In 1976, Mary Jane Howell became the first Executive Director. The organization's budget was $53,000 serving 237 patients. With two employees and a handfull of volunteers, agency services consisted of providing sick room supplies and comfort items to clients. When chemotherapy became a treatment option, patients' needs changed and services were added to respond to the side effects of treatment including wigs, food supplements, support groups, and financial assistance for prescriptions and transportation.

In 1994, the agency moved to Lobdell Avenue. By this time, the agency had expanded its service area to include the same ten-parish area covered by Capital Area United Way. Services expanded once more to include a Resource Center/Library, more support groups, and increased activities for children. In 1995, the Board of Directors voted to change the name from Cancer Society of Greater Baton Rouge to Cancer Services of Greater Baton Rouge - better defining the organization's purpose and reducing confusion with the American Cancer Society.

Expanding client services to include Health Care Navigation assistance, the agency added the services of a full-time social worker in 2005. Today the agency employs two social workers charged with the responsibility of directing client programs and services. In addition, a director of development and a marketing associate were added to enhance outreach to donors and clients and aid in fund raising efforts beyond the resources granted by Capital Area United Way - which continues to be the major provider of funding for the organization.

The current Executive Director is Mimi Riché. Cancer Services employs seventeen staff members and has over 200 volunteers. The agency provides services for more than 5,000 clients in the ten-parish area with an operating budget of approximately $1.7 million.
Last updated: April 14, 2009