The recipient entity's physical address:
           201 Evans Rd
Suite 319
New Orleans, La 70123

The recipient entity's mailing address (if different):
           201 Evans Rd
Suite 319
New Orleans, La 70123

Type of Entity (for instance, a nonprofit corporation):  Non-Profit Corporation

If the entity is a corporation, list the names of the incorporators:
          

The last four digits of the entity's taxpayer ID number:  7802

What is the dollar amount of the request?  $500,000

What type of request is this?  General Appropriation

Is this entity in good standing with the Secretary of State?  Yes

Provide the name of each member of the recipient entity's governing board and officers:
           PRESIDENT
Kim Sport
VICE PRESIDENT
Hon. Karen K. Herman
SECRETARY
Yvonne M. Sterling, MSN, Ph.D.
TREASURER
Shepard Buckman
PAST PRESIDENT
Amelia Leonardi

1. Audiffred, Mary
908 N. Rendon St. New Orleans, La 70119

2. BOURGEOIS, DIANE D. LMSW, MPA, MBA Baton Rouge General Medical Center
19544 Arcadian Shores Ave. Oncology & Cardiology Service Line Administrator
Baton Rouge, LA 70809

3. Buckman, Shepard
One Canal Place
365 Canal Street, Suite 3050
New Orleans, LA 70130

4. Carter, Nikki
8727 Steamboat Lane, River Ridge LA 70123

5. Christiansen, Hillary
425 Webster Street New Orleans, LA 70118

6. Coleman, Anedra L, MPA, MS
Assistant Director, St. Charles Parish Department of Parks & Recreation
Coordinator, Edward A. Dufresne Community Center
274 Judge Edward Dufresne Parkway
Luling, LA 70070

7. Dave, Sandra M.
3642 Clermont Drive
New Orleans, LA 70122

8. Delbert, Lenny - Creative Editor at Pan American Films
6738 Argonne Blvd
New Orleans, LA 70124

9. Engelhardt, Hon. Kurt D.
Work: U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals
600 Camp St Room 230,
NOLA 70130

10. Eschette, Rori
Assistant Administrator - Social Services Degree
The Oaks Houma
400 Monarch Drive
Houma, La 70364

11. Espinoza, Andrea Girod, M.D., FCCP
5 Savanna Ridge
Metairie, La 70001

12. Gaudet, William
701 Poydras Street Suite 4500
New Orleans, LA 70139

13.Herman, Hon. Karen K.
5346 Chestnut Street
NOLA 70115

14. Hutchins-Hays, Heather
143 Lake Avenue
Metairie LA 70005

15. LEGER JR, WALTER J.
LEGER & SHAW
935 Gravier Street, 21st Floor *
New Orleans, LA 70112

16 Leonardi, Amelia PT, MHS
406 State Street
New Orleans, LA 70118


17. McGraw, Dianne C., LCSW
3924 Ashley Court
Metairie, LA. 70002


18. Ramsey M. Nadine, Esq.
Hardwick Law Firm, LLC
13 Perdido St.
New Orleans, 70112

19. Rivere, Amy Elizabeth M.D.
Ochsner Clinic Foundation
1514 Jefferson Highway
New Orleans, LA 70121

20. Sport, Kim, Esq.
21 Muirfield Pl
New Orleans, LA, 70131

21. Sterling, Yvonne M., MSN, Ph.D
9038 Belfast Street
New Orleans, LA 70118

22. Vitter, Hon. Wendy B.
US District Judge
6565 Argonne Blvd
New Orleans, LA 70124


23.Walters III, Jules A., MD
3100 Galleria Suite 205
Metairie, LA 70001

Staff responsible for the operation of the entity

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Tammy L. Swindle M.A. C.H.E.S.
485 S. 3rd St
Ponchatoula, La 70454

PATIENT SERVICES
Mary Cosper LCSW MPH
1313 Rapids Dr
New Orleans, La 70122

ACCOUNTING
Bill Schornack
3 Richland Ct
Metairie, La 70001NGO Funding Request

Provide a summary of the project or program:
           LA's cancer mortality rate is 11% higher than the U.S. average. In LA, people are not dying because cancer is untreatable - they are dying because poverty and distance prevent them from finishing treatment.

LA ranks 6th nationally for new invasive cancer diagnoses. Annually, 26,491 citizens (14,165 men & 12,326 females) will need extensive cancer treatments with 9,345 (5,042 men & 4,303 females) losing their lives. Most frequently diagnosed are prostate (14.4%), breast (13.9%), lung (13.3%), colorectal (9.1%), and kidney (4.7%) cancers.

Founded over six decades ago, CALA (formerly known as the CAGNO) currently provides essential services and products to approximately 5% of LA cancer patients, primarily in 23 "funded" parishes in the greater NO and BR areas. CALA furnishes transportation, gas cards, nutritional supplements, healthy meals & medical supplies, so patients may complete treatment while avoiding financial instability and other barriers to treatment.

The barriers are many - no insurance, high deductibles and co pays, loss of income, travel, lodging and meals near treatment centers, childcare, eldercare, food insecurity, insurance authorization delays, poor patients navigation services, fear of bankruptcy, mental health issues, transportation, etc.

Increasing patient referrals from health care institutions, social workers and patient navigators from the the 41 “non-funded” parishes have prompted CALA’s decision to expand with a goal of assisting at least 15% of all newly diagnosed LA cancer patients each year, and because of men’s higher incidence of cancer and mortality, implementing a state-wide program focusing on men’s health and preventative screenings.

Patients in rural areas suffer the most hardship getting to and from cancer treatment and radiation centers. Access to cancer treatments forces arduous, sometimes daily, journeys for care, causing disruptions to employment, children’s school attendance, extracurricular activities, and college plans. LA’s high poverty rate in rural areas is an obvious contributing factor to access to and completion of cancer care.

The harsh reality is that without CALA’s assistance, many patients will refuse certain cancer treatments, such as radiation and chemotherapy, and perhaps choose invasive surgeries with life-long side effects and/or disfigurement. Even worse, without CALA’s assistance, patients will simply stop their treatments leading to almost certain death from a survivable cancer.

In 2023, the word “cancer” was not mentioned once in HB1. It seems there was zero government funding to NGOs to assist cancer patients. Removing barriers to treatment is critically lacking. CALA ‘s number one priority is unique - to provide access to care and improve the quality of life for vulnerable cancer patients. CALA is seeking $500,000/year as an NGO to provide direct essential services to an additional 2,000 LA cancer patients over five years in 41 parishes and to increase assistance to all patients served statewide to an average of $175 per patient undergoing treatment. This relatively minor investment in cancer patients will prevent advanced disease that is far more costly to treat and significantly more likely to be fatal.

What is the budget relative to the project for which funding is requested?:
          Salaries. . . . . . . . . . . . . $65,000
          Professional Services. . . $100,000
          Contracts . . . . . . . . . . . $0
          Acquisitions . . . . . . . . . $0
          Major Repairs . . . . . . . $0
          Operating Services. . . . $275,000
          Other Charges. . . . . . . $60,000

Does your organization have any outstanding audit issues or findings?  No

If 'Yes' is your organization working with the appropriate governmental agencies to resolve those issues or findings?
          Yes

What is the entity's public purpose, sought to be achieved through the use of state monies?
          To meet the increasing needs of cancer patients throughout the state of Louisiana who are unable to complete their cancer treatment due to poverty, lack of transportation, food insecurity, and geographical distance from cancer treatment centers. CALA currently provides essential services and products to over 2000 cancer patients who reside in 23 parishes in the greater New Orleans and Baton Rouge areas. CALA’s expansion program will reach an additional 2000 Louisiana citizens diagnosed with cancer in 41 parishes outside of those currently funded. Poverty, lack of transportation and food insecurity are major indicators of a patients ability to complete treatment. The ultimate goal is to make sure that vulnerable patients thoughout the state are able to complete their cancer treatments and reduce Louisiana’s high mortality rate.

What are the goals and objectives for achieving such purpose?
          GOAL - To help 4000 patients statewide complete cancer treatments thereby reducing disease progression and death from a survivable cancer diagnosis

OBJECTIVES -

Remove barriers to treatment by providing an additional:
1500 cases of nutritional supplements $53,000
5000 food/transportation gift cards $128,000
9,500 frozen meals $79,759
250 Farmer's Market Vouchers $16,000

Improve patient navigation by working with hospitals, nonprofits and government agencies assisting cancer patients

Collaborate with cancer services organizations and agencies to create a online directory for cancer care assistance - BCBS grant

Expand CALA's marketing and development programs through strategic planning and board governance initiatives to increase revenues from outreach and fundraising

Create a statewide men’s health initiative to focus on cancer more prevalent in men and the importance of preventative screenings.

Avoid duplication of efforts in the cancer community.

Say "yes" more than "no" to cancer patients needing assistance.

What is the proposed length of time estimated by the entity to accomplish the purpose?
           2076 patients served in 2025; Goal: 2026 - 3000 patients; 2027 - 4000 patients

If any elected or appointed state official or an immediate family member of such an official is an officer, director, trustee, or employee of the recipient entity who receives compensation or holds any ownership interest therein:
     (a) If an elected or appointed state official, the name and address of the official and the office held by such person:
                 none
    
     (b) If an immediate family member of an elected or appointed state official, the name and address of such person; the name, address, and office of the official to whom the person is related; and the nature of the relationship:
                 none

     (c) The percentage of the official's or immediate family member's ownership interest in the recipient entity, if any:
                 0

     (d) The position, if any, held by the official or immediate family member in the recipient entity:
                  none

If the recipient entity has a contract with any elected or appointed state official or an immediate family member of such an official or with the state or any political subdivision of the state:
(a) If the contract is with an elected or appointed state official, provide the name and address of the official and the office held by such person: 
               none

(b) If the contract is with an immediate family member of an elected or appointed state official:
          Provide the name and address of such person:
               none

          Provide the name, address, and office of the official to whom the person is related:
                none

          What is the nature of the relationship?  na

(c) If the contract is with the state or a political subdivision of the state, provide the name and address of the state entity or political subdivision of the state:
                 none

(d) The nature of the contract, including a description of the goods or services provided or to be provided pursuant to the contract:
               none


Contact Information
name:  Tammy Swindle 
                                       address:  485 South 3rd St
Ponchatoula, la 70454 home
201 Evans Rd Suite 319 New Orleans, 70123
                                       phone:  504-733-5539
                                       fax:  504-733-0252
                                       e-mail:  tswindle@calacares.org
                                       relationship to entity:  Executive Director