Anita Levy
Chairman of the Board
Levy Cancer Foundation
Anita Levy was named Chairman of the Board of The Levy Cancer Foundation since January 2015, as she and her board members help raise money to help cancer patients financially in Vermilion Parish. The Levy Cancer Foundation (LCF), the Irvin and Jo Levy Cancer Foundation, is a 501 c (3) nonprofit organization developed to raise funds to benefit the patients of Vermilion Parish. The foundation was established in 2013 as a tribute to her parents the late Irvin and Josephine Levy, both residents of Abbeville who suffered from cancer. Utilizing viable options for treatment, LCF has collaborated with Abbeville General Hospital to assure residents that seeking treatment for cancer is a realistic option. Having a yearly LCF Golf Classic and “Pink Gala” are two of the foundation’s biggest fundraisers. Each year the foundation honors two breast cancer survivors at a huge Gala, which is held at Magdalen Place. The honorees are presented a beautiful glass “Courage Award” in honor of their struggles with cancer, they also get to enjoy a night of dinner and dancing with their guests, as well as door prizes and a silent auction in which all items are all donated to the foundation by local vendors in the parish. A Breast Cancer Luncheon every October at Abbeville General Hospital gives honor to survivors, with speakers who give current information and updates on current breast cancer treatments, risk factors, as well as informing participants about symptoms and genetic mutations; door prizes and gifts for all participants are enjoyed as well by all guests. “Treating Cancer Close to Home” is the mission of the Levy Cancer Foundation and all donations are tax deductible through the foundation.
Twenty-five years ago, in 1995, Anita became a participant in The Black Women’s Health Study (BWHS) with Boston University School of Medicine. This is a long-term observational study to investigate the health problems of Black women over a long time, with the goal of improving their health. There are 64,500 African American women, ages 21-69 from all areas of the US enrolled with the primary aim of identifying risk factors for breast cancer, as well as other health conditions associated with African American women. Participants are asked to send in samples, fill out questionnaires on a yearly basis, as well as giving personal health and family information; samples are used to present DNA on each participant.
In addition to being Chairman of the LCF, Anita is also on the Board of Directors at Abbeville General Hospital, President of the Vermilion Parish Council on Aging, past Parish Council President for seven years at St. Theresa of the Child Jesus Catholic Church and current Vice President of the Ladies Altar Society, Eucharistic Minister, Sacristan, and lector; Board of Directors- Vermilion Parish Library Board of Control; Past Vice President and Board of Directors -Assist Agency; past member Abbeville Park and Recreation Board; Board Member- Vermilion Charter Foundation and KADN Fox 15 Advisory Board which focuses on family and community.
Anita has been the 2012 recipient of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Award for St. Theresa of the Child Jesus Catholic Church, Diocese of Lafayette for outstanding service to church and community; 2017 recipient of the Bishop Service Award for the Diocese of Lafayette, this beautiful meticulous medal is given to recognize lay men and women whose volunteer efforts are so essential to the ministries of the Catholic Church, who have been transformative in shaping the minds, hearts and spirt of the Catholic community; and 2019 recipient of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr Award and Parade Grand Marshall.
