Southwest Louisiana Rallies for Karen’s Cancer Benefit – This Weekend!

KNGT | Sulphur, LA — If there's one thing I've learned living here in Southwest Louisiana, it's this: when one of our own is hurting, folks show up. That's exactly what's happening for Karen Martin Thibodeaux.

On Saturday, June 20th, family, friends, neighbors, and complete strangers are coming together at the American Legion Post 179 in Sulphur to help Karen as she begins her fight against colon cancer. And y'all know how our area works. We don't just send prayers and good wishes. We cook. We raffle. We auction. We play music. We fill up a hall with people who care.

The benefit kicks off with doors opening at 9 a.m. at the American Legion on West Napoleon Street. Throughout the day, there'll be plenty going on to help raise money for medical expenses and support the Thibodeaux family during what is sure to be a difficult road ahead.

A jambalaya cook-off will get things started early, with teams able to begin setting up at 7 a.m. If you've ever been around a Southwest Louisiana cook-off, you already know the competition can get pretty serious. And for five bucks, you can grab a bowl and enjoy some good food while helping a good cause.

Who's Playing at the Karen Martin Thibodeaux Benefit?

The entertainment lineup is packed with local talent, including Brad Brinkley with Shelly, Kevin Barton, Twisted X, Louisiana Scramble, Drew Ford, Chuck Spicer, and Shawn Vanicor. There will also be raffles, a Split the Pot drawing, a silent auction running from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m., and a live auction beginning at 5 p.m.

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Cancer affects way too many families around here. Chances are every one of us knows somebody who's had to hear that phone call from the doctor. That's why events like this matter so much. Medical bills pile up fast, and sometimes the best thing a community can do is take a little bit of that burden off a family's shoulders. I've always said Southwest Louisiana has some of the biggest hearts you'll find anywhere. We prove it time and time again.

If you're looking for a way to help, mark your calendar for June 20th. Come eat some jambalaya, bid on an auction item, buy a raffle ticket, listen to some music, and most importantly, show Karen and her family they're not fighting this battle alone.

Sometimes just knowing your community is standing beside you makes all the difference. That's something Southwest Louisiana has always been pretty good at.