No One Fights Alone - (NOFA)

No One Fights Alone (NOFA) is a small, non-profit organization formed in January 2015 to provide financial assistance to local families in the greater New Orleans area when a cancer diagnosis is delivered. The concept emerged in 2014 when a group of individuals came together to raise money for a friend who had recently been diagnosed with colorectal cancer. This same group, building on its success, has since formed No One Fights Alone and has been successful in impacting the lives of local families that are dealing with the financial burden of a cancer diagnosis. We are a group of people helping people. Being aware of the expenses associated with the treatment of cancer we have come together to support others and show that NO ONE FIGHTS ALONE! All fundraising efforts are to help families fighting cancer focus on the battle and not the bills. expenses that come with a cancer diagnosis. "Understanding the expenses that come with a cancer diagnosis, 'No One Fights Alone' will organize fundraising efforts to support selected individuals and their families so they can focus on the battle against cancer instead of the bills," is the organization’s mission statement.

In 2015, NOFA selected two “Heroes” to support and through various fundraising events was able to donate $24,000 to each of them to assist with the vast expenses associated with a cancer diagnosis such as loss of income, medical bills and daily living assistance. NOFA continues to host a variety of fundraising events and in 2016 they were able to four Heroes: Aaron Dietrich, Angel Lee, Louis Breaux and Jamie Clouatre.

Clouatre was at the golf tournament at Bayou Barrier Golf Club that was held for the 2016 recipients. She wrote to the organization on May 15, 2016: "I really don't even know where to begin or how to find the words to express my gratitude and appreciation for the entire NOFA organization and the people behind it! The time they take from their families and everyday life to be able to give back to others in our local communities is nothing short of amazing. The selflessness that the Lord has gifted them with is remarkable." 

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Chad Grosch (age 10, acute myeloid leukemia); Dwight Rodrigue (age 65, pancreatic cancer); Kelly Lew Boudreaux (age 50, colon cancer); Noella Folse (age 52, vaginal squamous cell carcinoma); and Travis May (age 20, germ cell cancer) are NOFA’s 2017 and all fundraising activities this calendar year are to benefit these five individuals and their families. Just a few of the successful fundraising events include: a “Strike Out Against Cancer!” bowling tournament in February, the “Cook Off for a Cause” jambalaya cook off in March, the “Laissez Les Bunco Rouler” bunco party in April, the Tee'd Off at Cancer golf tournament in May and the Copernicus Avenue Poker Crawl in July. Also planned is another Strike Out Against Cancer (Part II) on August 19, a partnership with Combel’s Custom Cruisers for a car show on September 16, and a Halloween Dance on October 28.

"We continue to grow and hope to be able to help individuals in our community who are battling cancer. We have been contacted by members of other groups such as the Westbank Rotary and Combel’s Custom Crusiers that support NOFA and our mission and are interested in working with us for future events so that our efforts can continue to reach and assist those who need us,” says NOFA president, Blair Bourgeois. We invite you to join us in this effort as we demonstrate to cancer victims and their families, through love and charity, that NO ONE FIGHTS ALONE!

For more information about No One Fights Alone please find us on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/NoOneFightsAloneNOLA) and/or visit our website (www.noonefightsalonenola.org).

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