Geaux Bald is a student fundraising organization led by second-year medical students at LSU Health Shreveport. In 2011, Geaux Bald was founded following the cancer diagnosis of a beloved LSUHS faculty member, Dr. Jay Marion. The beginnings of Geaux Bald included fundraising for a national non-profit organization supporting pediatric cancer research. In 2023, we recognized the need to support cancer patients in our own service area and searched for a local cause that would directly benefit these families.

This year, we are excited to begin our new fundraising campaign- Geaux Bald for the McDade House! The McDade House previously opened in 1985 being one of the first hospitality houses in the nation. In its early years of operations, the McDade House provided lodging for cancer patients and their families, easing some of the emotional stress of traveling for treatments. The need for a hospital hospitality house supporting Feist-Weiller patients is of growing importance as 50% of our patients travel 20 miles or more to receive necessary treatment. This need sparked interest in our community to reopen the McDade house. Receiving a cancer diagnosis is taxing enough on the patient, their family, and their friends, and we are eager to reduce some of the financial and logistical burdens allowing these patients to focus on their health. Geaux Bald invites you to fundraise with us to make this a reality for our community!

There are so many exciting opportunities to get involved with Geaux Bald throughout the year. Play pickleball? Sign up for the Geaux Bald Pickleball Mixer to raise money and play against other enthusiasts in the fall semester. Avid runner? Sign up for Race for a Cause to join others to raise money for the McDade House. Food enthusiast? Visit many local Shreveport restaurants for our various giveback nights throughout the year. LSUHS medical students will also participate in “Sing for a Cause”- one of the students’ favorite nights watching other classmates who have been nominated to sing on the dance floor! Our hard work fundraising throughout the year will be celebrated by our defining event: Shave Day! LSUHS students and faculty celebrate your contributions by shaving or cutting their hair in honor of local cancer patients that will be benefitted by the McDade House. We are appreciative of your support in any way, and Geaux Bald cannot wait to make you proud!