The Cancer Association of Greater New Orleans (CAGNO), a local United Way partner agency serving the parishes of Orleans, Jefferson, St. Tammany, St. Bernard, Plaquemines, Tangipahoa, Washington, St. Charles, St. John, Terrebonne, Lafourche, Assumption, and St. Mary, is poised and ready to resume its existing social services programs as soon as officials deem it safe for businesses in Jefferson Parish to restart their operations.

The 45-year old agency is well prepared to function administratively; however, its staff has not been allowed back into its office space in Elmwood to assess damage. Further announcements and updates will be made when the organization can return.

CAGNO is a local cancer services agency dedicated to the prevention, treatment and eradication of cancer, a three-fold mission that is achieved through its Education, Patient Services and Research Programs. Through the help of the United Way, individual donations, grants from charitable foundations, bequests, and memorials and tributes, CAGNO is able to educate the local community about the risk factors of cancer, the dangers of tobacco use and second-hand smoke, and a plethora of other topics, thereby preventing future diagnosis of cancer and tobacco-related diseases. Because CAGNO believes that everyone should have access to healthcare, it is committed to purchasing prescription pain and treatment medications for cancer patients who cannot afford them, whether it is because they do not have health insurance coverage or because they do not qualify for government assistance from Medicaid. CAGNO also funds cancer research grants to local scientists and promising medical students because it recognizes that it will only be through the diligence and determination of cancer scientists that the cures for the many different types of cancer can ever be found.

Executive Director, Phyllis Embrey said: "CAGNO plans to resume its existing services first," working with local hospitals and oncology social workers to locate more than 200 cancer patients currently enrolled in CAGNO’s Patient Services Program in order to ensure that they receive access to the medications that they need. In addition, CAGNO will continue to work closely with the local medical community to promote public health through education and screenings. In order to reach out to the vast number of people who have lost everything due to the hurricane and who will need assistance with their fight against cancer, CAGNO will work to expand its patient services program.

On the business side, "CAGNO’s vendors can rest assured that all of CAGNO’s accounts payable accounts will be paid in full as soon as it is possible," said Embrey. "CAGNO is also ready to work patiently with vendors if their records have been destroyed as a result of the storm.

The Board of Directors, volunteers and staff at CAGNO would like to express its heartfelt sympathies to everyone affected by Hurricane Katrina. During this trying time, it is easy to ignore one’s health. But as an organization that recognizes the importance of prevention and early detection, CAGNO would like to remind and encourage all Louisianians to make time for routine health maintenance and to see a physician when necessary. If access to medical care is a problem, please contact the local Red Cross for referral. New Orleans is a resilient city. By helping each other, we can rebuild a city and a people that are greater than ever before. For questions or more information, please contact United Way President Gary Ostroske at garyo@unitedwaynola.org