Jeanne James

Jeanne James has a true servant’s heart and a long legacy of service devoted to helping those most in need in the Baton Rouge community.

A member of the Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Foundation Board of Directors, she and her husband, David, are also Lipsey Legacy Society Members. Her late father, Louis D. Curet, was a longtime board member of Mary Bird Perkins, and Jeanne serves on the Louis D. Curet Volunteer Fundraiser Award Selection Committee named in recognition of her father’s legacy of philanthropic support for the Cancer Center. The award recognizes an individual, organization or foundation that has launched or led a significant philanthropic effort in support of Mary Bird Perkins.

Her parents instilled in her a deep love of Louisiana’s history and culture and a deep devotion to service. She serves as Secretary of the Board for the Pointe Coupee Historical Society and she is an honorary board member of the Friends of French Studies at LSU, an organization founded by her father. Jeanne, is currently serving as an Associate of the Sisters of Saint Joseph as they carry out their mission of service to the dear neighbor. Additionally, she has been active at St. Aloysius Church and School, St. Joseph’s Academy and Episcopal School of Baton Rouge. She also enjoyed many years of service in the Junior League of Baton Rouge.

Her experience of the exceptional care received by cancer patients and their families at Mary Bird Perkins has given her a deeper appreciation for the Foundation’s mission. Her mother, Jean Curet, passed away from cancer and her late father, Louis Curet, was a cancer survivor who successfully received treatment at Mary Bird Perkins. Her experiences with both parents’ treatment at the Cancer Center demonstrated the value and importance of compassionate, comprehensive care for cancer patients.

Her work in the community has helped provide aid and support for those in need and has helped to preserve Louisiana’s heritage. She has been blessed to live the life of a wife, and mother to her four children and to raise a family, and through that, instill in them a dedication to serving others.

My Mary Bird Perkins Story

What makes Mary Bird Perkins the leading cancer care organization?
Both of my parents received care at Mary Bird Perkins at the same time, and what stood out to my family and I was the joy they experienced there. The staff is simply joyful. Even in the midst of the suffering and pain of a cancer diagnosis, the wonderful staff brings care,love and joy to everything they do.

Why do you support Mary Bird Perkins?
Reflecting on Mary Bird Perkins’ 50-year legacy, it’s amazing what the small group of dedicated founders with a vision have accomplished. Building a nonprofit organization devoted to serving all patients,and at the same time, staying at the forefront of cancer care in terms of treatment, research and technology is truly an amazing accomplishment.

Why is a gift to the endowment so important?
Growing the Foundation’s endowment ensures that Mary Bird Perkins can continue to provide care for generations to come. The endowment supports expanding the Cancer Center’s vision, improving cancer care for all and providing the resources needed to continually offer the latest advancements in the fight against cancer.

If someone asked you why he/she should make a gift to Mary Bird Perkins, what would you say?
Sadly, few families will escape a brush with cancer. Mortality rates and survivorship are expected to rise by 30% in the next years, but those advances will only come through investing in the future of cancer care today. It’s a gift to have the ability to support this powerhouse organization to ensure future generations will enjoy greater survivorship and fewer lives will be lost to cancer.

Joining the Lipsey Legacy Society and naming Mary Bird Perkins as part of your will and estate planning is a wonderful way to make a difference and leave a legacy to care for future generations.

What is your vision for Mary Bird Perkins and how do you think philanthropy can drive that vision?
I had the honor of accompanying my parents when they underwent chemotherapy treatment at the Cancer Center and witnessing first-hand their experiences with treatment. I wish every single person would take a tour of the facility to see how truly blessed we are to have such an asset in our city.

I’ve seen how Mary Bird Perkins has grown in the past 50 years, and I know that it will continue to grow and expand its mission over the next 50 years. But it can’t do that without community support.

What motivated you to accept the invitation to serve on the Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Foundation Board of Directors?
I felt so honored and humbled, knowing how many wonderful people had preceded me, including my father who was a long-time board member. I was incredibly happy to have the opportunity to contribute to this wonderful organization and to continue his legacy and honor his service.