IBERIA PARISH — Friday morning, volunteers with the Lydia Cancer Association gathered at Weeks Park to prepare for their biggest fundraiser of the year—the Lydia Cajun Food Fest, set for Saturday.

The association began as a Relay for Life team in 1998 and has since grown into a nonprofit organization offering financial assistance to cancer patients across Iberia, St. Mary, St. Martin, and Vermilion parishes.

Dianne LeBlanc, an outreach member, said the group has raised and distributed more than $900,000 so far this year. Their goal is to reach the $1 million mark before 2025 comes to a close.

“It’s not a lot that we give them— our qualifications, the number of months, and the amount of money we’re able to provide all depend on our funds,” LeBlanc said. “But the little bit we do can feel

See Full Page