More Than a Meal
Giving Back to Mary Bird Perkins of Hammond
By Erin Pereira Perez
Cate Street Seafood Station is proud to partner every October with Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center of Hammond and the Northshore for our annual Giveback Night! This tradition fills our restaurant with purpose, pride, and love. Each year, our team, our guests, and our amazing community come together to support an organization that is constantly bringing hope, innovation, and compassionate care to so many local families affected by cancer.
Throughout the month of October, Cate Street Seafood Station turns pink - our decorations, our uniforms, and even our seasonal specials show our commitment to raising awareness for breast cancer. But this event is more than a color or theme. It is about honoring cancer survivors, supporting those still fighting, and remembering loved ones we have lost to cancer. It is about showing that the Hammond community stands together in the fight against cancer!
Some of our Cate Street Seafood Station crew sporting their pink!
Mary Bird Perkins: Life-Changing Care Close to Home
For more than fifty years, Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center has provided life-changing care to people all across southeast Louisiana. What started as a small mission from local citizens has grown into a leading regional center offering advanced cancer care close to home! Today, thousands of patients each year rely on their team for expert treatment and compassionate support.
At the Hammond location, patients receive personalized care from a team that includes doctors, nurses, nutritionists, therapists, and social workers. Mary Bird Perkins’ state-of-the-art technology offers the latest in radiation therapy and chemotherapy, while their team supports every part of a patient’s journey - from diagnosis to recovery and beyond! The cancer treatment center also provides emotional and financial counseling to help families manage the challenges that come with cancer treatment.
The “Prevention on the Go” program is one of Mary Bird Perkins’ most inspiring efforts. The mobile screening unit travels throughout communities to provide free cancer checks for breast, skin, prostate, and other common cancers. By making screenings easy and accessible, this program helps detect cancer early - when it is most treatable.
A Broader Mission of Hope and Innovation
Mary Bird Perkins does more than deliver treatments. It is a place where innovation meets kindness. The center runs important research studies that bring new therapies to local patients, helping to improve care not just in Hammond, but across the country!
They also offer survivorship programs focused on life after treatment. These include classes on nutrition, exercise, stress management, and workshops that help survivors connect with others who share their experiences. Their ongoing studies and partnerships with major hospitals and universities show just how seriously they take their mission of advancing cancer care in the community.
The “Prevention on the Go” mobile cancer screening unit.
Impact on the Hammond Community
In Hammond, Mary Bird Perkins continues to make a lasting difference by offering medical excellence and emotional comfort in equal measure. Their outreach teams work year-round to educate the community about cancer prevention and early detection. They also connect volunteers, businesses, and local supporters to keep programs like the Patient Compassion Fund strong. That fund ensures no patient ever goes without essential resources - whether that means gas cards to get to appointments, help paying bills, or access to counseling and support groups.
When Cate Street Seafood Station hosts our annual Giveback Night, we are just one piece of that larger effort. The funds raised during this single evening go directly to local programs and patients. It is amazing to see tables full of families, friends, and neighbors sharing meals that make an actual difference. Every plate helps power the mission - supporting screenings, patient transportation, and even the latest clinical trials.
Saluting Community Champions
None of these efforts would be possible without strong leadership and a network of generous people. Ms. Erica Kelt, Regional Director of Philanthropy for the Northshore, plays a key role in connecting donors, volunteers, and businesses like ours with meaningful ways to support Mary Bird Perkins. She helps turn community goodwill into real action that touches lives every day!
The cancer center also celebrates individuals who go above and beyond through special awards named for founding members and longtime supporters. These honors remind us that the fight against cancer is built on compassion, service, and teamwork. Many of the volunteers include community members, our restaurant guests, and local partners who dedicate their time to fundraisers, outreach, and events that keep this mission strong throughout the year.
Erica Kelt (in pink of course!) pictured with some Cate Street and Mary Bird Perkins team members after one of our Annual Givebacks.
How to Get Involved
There is more than one way to help Mary Bird Perkins continue its extraordinary work. Attending Cate Street Seafood Station’s Giveback Night each October is one of the easiest (and most delicious!) ways to contribute. But you can also donate online, volunteer at an event, or share information about free screenings with family and friends.
Students, local organizations, and church groups often volunteer at Mary Bird Perkins community events too. Whether it’s helping at a 5K, assisting with cancer screenings, or creating care packages for patients, every action matters. The center also offers opportunities for community education and internships for those interested in health care careers.
If you know someone who might benefit from services, or if you would like to be part of this cause, you can reach out directly to the Hammond Cancer Center for more information. Their team is always ready to guide people toward support and resources.
Geaux PINK for Mary Bird Perkins!
Why This Tradition Matters
Our partnership with Mary Bird Perkins means more than just donating proceeds - it is about being part of something much bigger. It’s about kindness, community, and the belief that together we can create a world with less cancer and more hope.
Every October, when our restaurant fills with pink ribbons and smiling faces, we are reminded why we started this tradition. We see survivors joining friends for dinner, families honoring loved ones, and young people learning the power of giving back. That energy creates something lasting: hope that spreads far beyond one night!
As a family-owned restaurant, Cate Street Seafood Station is proud to stand alongside a cause that truly matters. Thank you to everyone in Hammond and across the Northshore who continues to support this event year after year. Your generosity, compassion, and spirit keep this mission alive!
Together, we are proving that local action can create powerful change. One meal, one donation, and one act of kindness at a time, we’re building a better future for our amazing community - a community filled with healing, strength, and outpouring love.
For more information about Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center’s services, volunteer opportunities, or ways to contribute year-round, visit their official website (www.marybird.org) or speak with our team at Cate Street Seafood Station! We are always happy to connect you with this exceptional organization and its life-saving work.
