ACF’S Chicken Jam to Expand Patient Access to LSU Health’s Cancer Clinical Trials

The Al Copeland Foundation’s Third Annual Chicken Jam will take place on July 6, 2018, National Fried Chicken Day, from 5:00 - 10:00 p.m. at UNO Lakefront Arena, 6801 Franklin Avenue, New Orleans. The fundraiser, whose title sponsor is Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen, celebrates Al Copeland Sr.’s legacy while helping to fulfill one of his last wishes – finding a cure for cancer.

Toward that end, the Al Copeland Foundation (ACF) and LSU Health New Orleans Stanley S. Scott Cancer Center formed a partnership in 2011 to work on Merkel cell carcinoma, the cancer that took the life of Al Copeland Sr., entrepreneur and founder of Popeyes Famous Fried Chicken, in 2008. Originally focused on cancers linked to viruses like Merkel cell carcinoma, the partnership has expanded to include other cancers, genomics, immunotherapy, precision medicine and clinical trials.

In typical Al Copeland Foundation fashion, Chicken Jam is a fun-filled event with something for everyone. Rockin’ Dopsie Jr., Bag of Donuts, Me & My Friends, and Ashley and Maria will perform. There will be a Kid’s Area (sponsored by Kids & Family New Orleans), local food vendors, fried chicken, cash bars and much more. Pre-purchase tickets are available for $12 online, $15 at the door, $5 for ages 6 to 12 and free for kids 5 and under. All proceeds will support the Al Copeland Foundation-LSU Health New Orleans partnership, this year helping to increase patients’ access to new experimental treatments through LSU Health New Orleans Cancer Clinical Trials Network.

“The support from the Al Copeland Foundation, its donors and sponsors is quickening the pace of cancer discoveries at LSU Health New Orleans and enabling us to offer the latest treatment advances to more patients right here at home,” notes Dr. Larry Hollier, Chancellor of LSU Health New Orleans. “The funding from this year’s Chicken Jam will support our immunotherapy clinical trials, one of the most promising cancer therapy approaches being investigated today.”

“It is an honor for ACF to be partnered with the LSU Health Sciences Center,” says Al Copeland Jr. “Their research, our fundraising events, and the generous donations from our sponsors, along with the local community, are saving lives. Together we are truly making a difference.”

Chicken Jam tickets are available online here, the Lakefront Arena Box Office (6801 Franklin Ave, New Orleans, LA 70112), Copeland's of New Orleans and Cheesecake Bistro Restaurants or by contacting the Al Copeland Foundation at 504-620-3727 or info@alcopelandfoundation.org.