For a good cause

WASHINGTON -- It was all fun and games at the 3rd Annual Bras on the Bayou Fundraiser event last Monday, but the good time was for a serious cause.
The event, which was hosted by the Evangeline Parish Relay for Life, was held to help raise money to make a difference in the American Cancer Society’s fight against breast cancer, and raise money is exactly what was done. To be exact, a total of $5,435 was raised for research to find a cure.
Before the games began, which consisted of a bra decorating contest, door prize drawings, and a silent auction, those in attendance heard from Evangeline Parish Clerk of Court Randy Deshotel, who was the guest speaker at the October 3rd event.
Even though the event was held to raise money for breast cancer, Deshotel used his speech to enlighten the crowd of 100 on all cancers by sharing stories from a recent visit he made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee.
Deshotel said, “When we were touring St. Jude’s hospital, we met a mother who told us that she has three daughters and they all have a cancer that is genetic behind their eyes, but their son doesn’t have it. One of her daughters is dying.
“She then told us that she was a breast cancer survivor, and they had just found out that her husband has prostate cancer. Being there and meeting these people makes your hair stand up.”
Deshotel then stressed the importance of giving for cancer research.
The clerk of court said, “17 percent of the donations made to St. Jude is used to pay the doctors and staff, and the rest goes to research and treatment for people like that mother’s three girls. This is not a place people go to die, it’s a place they go to live, and they rely on us for help. If you ever get a chance to visit the hospital in Memphis, or anyone with cancer, do it, because you will not walk out of that visit the same.”
Following Deshotel’s speech, it was time for the fun to begin and the money to start rolling in as men modeled the decorated bras to see who could get the most money for their performance strutting down the isles of the Steamboat Warehouse Restaurant in Washington.
This activity raised around $150 at last year’s Bras on the Bayou, but this year was a completely different story. The participants’ modeling skills alone raised $673.
Following the runway show that was such a huge success, winners of the bra decorating contest were selected. The winners were: Most Supportive Bra, Lisa Crane, Uptown Cake Company; Most Original Bra, Elizabeth West and Monique Ardoin, Ville Platte Gazette; Biggest Ta Ta, Jenny Merrick, Ville Platte AT&T; Blingiest Bra, Vic Slaven’s Office; Most Creative Bra, Desirea Vicknair, Rhinestones for a Cure; Funniest Bra, Porcha Cassola, Alexandria AT&T; Scariest Bra, Pat McElwee, Sewing Sisters; and Survivor Champion Bra, Pheobe Deshotel. Winner of the Chef’s Choice, which was chosen by Chef Jason Huguet, was Vee Pelafigue, who was also elected the 2016 Queen Ta Ta.
While the crowd laughed and cut-up throughout the night and awards were given out, there was however one breast cancer survivor in particular that watched in disblief as the night unfolded.
Pheobe Deshotel, of Pine Prairie, said, “It’s unbelievable to see so much support in one room.”
Deshotel, with tears in her eyes, then said, “I’m a breast cancer survivor for 10 years now, but I just found out that it’s back and it’s in my spine, so seeing these people come together to help raise money is really amazing.”