Why It Matters...
Your participation fuels two powerful missions: Cancer Support for Local Families Contributions help provide assistance for treatment costs, transportation, lodging, essential care and other expenses to local families battling cancer. Vocational Training in Papua New Guinea Funds go toward programs such as scholarships, solar power for schools, essential foot bridge repairs, and other such efforts to ensure the children of Papua New Guinea can get to school, have adequate resources at school and facilitate those seeking to further their education at the technical college in Port Moresby.
By joining us, you’re not just celebrating Jeep culture—you’re driving change for communities that need it most.
Meet Jeepin' The Red's first recipient!
Meet Norma Baker, our first recipient who will be receiving 30% of the profits from our iunaugural Jeepin' the Red event to help cover her medical costs.
November 29 Norma woke up paralyzed from the waist down. After MRI’s at Rapides ER they found a large mass encompassing her T9 vertebrae, compressing her spinal cord. She was transferred to Covington for neurosurgery where they prepared her for a thoracic laminectomy, removing the T9 with mass to restore flow to her spinal cord. Two 12” titanium rods, 8 screws & 5 hours of surgery later Norma came out of surgery with her paralysis reversed. Oncology was called to test the mass & was determined to be plasmacyetoma. They ordered a bone Marrow biopsy & pathology diagnosed Norma with multiple myeloma which is a cancer of plasma cells. As it progresses it forms masses in the bone marrow, causes bone pain, anemia, kidney problems, bone fractures & hypercalcemia.
Norma started her journey with oncology February 2 at Oshners in Shreveport & her doctor admitted her as soon as he looked at her labs due to Hypercalcemia which was dangerously high. She will start biweekly infusions along with steroids & bone strengthening medications starting this week.
For 45 years Norma has faithfully managed & worked at BJ’s Pizza in Cenla, serving not just food, but kindness, friendship & consistency for generations of families. She has always been the first to step up when someone in our community needed help, whether it was providing a meal, school & club donations or organizing huge fundraisers for local families in need. She has never hesitated.
She has never been one to ask for help herself, now it’s our turn to show up for her like she has shown up for our community. Let’s surround Norma with the love & support she so generously gives to others. Norma has been unable to work since November & this fundraiser is to help with medical expenses, food & gas during her treatment. She will have to travel several times a week to Shreveport for treatment over the next 4 months.
