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2022 Toyota Highlander -
Underwriter Co-Chair Tim Sudela -
Underwriter Co-Chair Heather Crenshaw Petkovsek -
Underwriter Co-Chair Brad Klein -
Raffle Co-Chair Lauren Bebeau -
Raffle Co-Chair Emily Patrizi Bracken -
Cancer Cruise-Aider Chair Rodney Robichau
A special note of gratitude from the Gift of Life crew is offered to Philpott Ford for making available the 2022 Toyota Highlander at a discounted price.
The 2022 Highlander Raffle Underwriters include:
American Valve & Hydrant; Barbara and Jim Brown / Script Care; Barbara and Mike Burrow / Burrow Global; Robin Dauphin in loving memory of my parents Charline and Sidney “Chief” Dauphin; Doguet’s Diamond D Ranch in honor of Darby D. Doguet, a cancer survivor, and Dr. Ray Morrell and in loving memory of Weldon Leger, Tom Broussard and John Gerber; DuGood Credit Union; Echo Group in loving memory of Susie and Phillip Roebuck; Carolyn and Mark Fertitta; Kellie and Dr. John Fowler; Lori and Judge Carl Griffith in honor of Regina Rogers; Laura and Jim Hayes; Cherrie and Alan Hefty; Elaine Henderson in loving memory of Lester Henderson and Nell McCallum Morris; Jason’s Deli in loving memory of our founder Joe Tortorice, Jr.; JoBeth and Michael Jenkins; Pat Klein in honor of my wonderful son Brad; Laura and Dr. Stephen LaMendola in honor of Don Shaver; Marine Fueling Service; Patti and Floyd McSpadden; Kelly and Tommy Patrizi / Apex Payroll in loving memory of Irma and Vic Patrizi, William Townsley and Rodgers Ellis; Linda and Joe Penland / Quality Mat Company; Heather Crenshaw Petkovsek and Family in honor of Brad Klein and the medical professionals who help along the cancer journey; Verna and Cal Rutherford in loving memory of Leonard (Lenny) V. Wood; Lou Scofield in loving memory of Jerry Klein, Dr. Hal Clarke and Buddy Foxworth; Diane and Don Shaver; Jenny and The Honorable Mickey Shuffield; Michele and J. Mitchell Smith in honor of Craig Verrett; Vortech Contracting in loving memory of Cathy Abalos; and The Honorable Kent Walston. (Listing as of publication date)
Cancer Cruise-Aiders Chair Rodney Robichau is joined by GOL Raffle Cancer Cruise-Aiders including Louis Falgout, Mark Fiorenza, Keith Giblin, Chris Jenkins, Keith Leger, Joe Parigi, Keith Robichau, Ross Robichau, Zack Shelton, BPD Chief Jimmy Singletary and Jefferson County DA Bob Wortham.
Southeast Texans with inadequate or nonexistent medical care access know where to go to get assistance: Julie Rogers “Gift of Life.” Thanks to supporters, volunteers and the tireless crusading of nonprofit Founder Regina Rogers and Executive Director Norma Sampson, men and women of Southeast Texas have a place to turn to when the going gets tough.
With Father’s Day on the calendar, the Gift of Life team is taking the opportunity to reach out to a group that typically avoids seeking medical treatment – men. To fund enhanced programs for the men of Southeast Texas, the Gift of Life team is encouraging support of the group’s 2022 Toyota Highlander raffle, a winning endeavor for all parties involved: The grand prize raffle winner gets a 2022 Highlander XLE SUV, the second draw winner is awarded $1,000, a third draw winner will receive $500, and the men of Southeast Texas will benefit from programming aimed at saving their lives.
“This Father’s Day, please … share the message to purchase a ticket and help provide health, hope and healing for a man in need,” Sampson urges supporters. “He just might be your neighbor, or someone you work or pray with who simply needs your helping hand.”
As always, Sampson reminds, all dollars stay local and aid local men – “our fathers, dads and brothers.”
Already, Gift of Life has expanded its Men’s Health and Wellness initiatives in 2022 to provide monthly screenings with scheduled client appointments for vulnerable “at-risk” men who have experienced heightened barriers to care that have been accelerated by unmet post-pandemic needs. In addition, Gift of Life is partnering with medical partners Baptist Hospitals of Southeast Texas, the Julie & Ben Rogers Cancer Institute and the Port Arthur Health Department to facilitate a free Men’s Health Screening Program, offering comprehensive health care and educational outreach to medically underserved Southeast Texas men at locations in Beaumont, Port Arthur and Orange.
Statistics demonstrate that men avoid seeking medical treatment, contributing to poorer health outcomes and a reduced life expectancy compared to their female counterparts. Like many other deficiencies, the COVID-19 pandemic has only made matters worse.
“The best thing we can do as a community to combat the health care hardships that have plagued us since the pandemic is to continue supporting civic programs that impact populations who are at the greatest risk of slipping through the cracks from unaffordable insurance and other financial difficulties,” says John Fowler, M.D. Baptist Residency Internal Medicine Academic Faculty Professor. The Gift of Life is making a tremendous difference in the wellness of local communities, Fowler further says, and the doctor praises efforts that have extended the lives of untold numbers of men who take advantage of the help available to them – not only for the sake of the men receiving the care, but the sake of those who love and need him, too. “I am so proud of the many men who take advantage of Gift of Life screenings. These men are embarking on an important first step towards having a healthier life.”
Everyone can be involved in extending the lives of men in Southeast Texas simply by entering for a chance to win a new Toyota Highlander. Tickets are $100 each, and underwriters who donate $1,000 receive two tickets and recognition in print media and on Facebook and Gift of Life’s website, and also at the Raffle Draw Event at 5 Under Golf Center at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, July 14. For additional information or to acquire raffle tickets, contact Gift of Life at (409) 833-3663 or visit
giftoflifebmt.org.
Since 2000, Gift of Life has made available more than 10,700 free prostate cancer screenings and helped extend the lives of 77 men who have been diagnosed with prostate cancer and navigated through treatment. Gift of Life is currently providing screening opportunities for eligible men by appointment. Also, during National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month in September, Gift of Life will host a screening on Saturday, Sept. 10, at the Industrial Safety Training Conference Center for more than 150 medically underserved men who are unable to attend a screening during the workweek. Register now at giftoflifebmt.org
– Jennifer Johnson