Commitment to families and hospitals deepens with targeted grants, housing, and infrastructure investments
NEW ORLEANS, Sept. 9, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — In honor of National Pediatric Cancer Awareness Month, Hogs for the Cause (“Hogs”) is amplifying its mission to support families navigating pediatric cancer. As the nation’s leading 501(c)(3) dedicated to helping families with children battling brain cancer, Hogs has distributed more than $15 million in direct grants and strategic hospital investments nationwide since its founding in 2009.
Direct Grants to Families
Hogs for the Cause Pediatric Hematology Oncology Unit at Prisma Health Children’s Hospital–Upstate.
Hogs has awarded $2.9 million in direct grants to more than 2,200 families to offset medical costs, travel, and lost income. “Supporting families has always been at the heart of Hogs,” said Becker Hall, co-founder and CEO. “What started as a grassroots effort has grown into a nationwide movement powered by compassion and community.”
Hogs Houses
Central to Hogs’ mission are its free, family-centered housing options near children’s hospitals:
- $2.55 million built the first Hogs House at Children’s Hospital New Orleans in 2018.
- A second opened at Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Hospital in Baton Rouge in 2024 with a $2.3 million donation.
- In 2025, Hogs committed $1 million to renovate housing at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital in Florida—its first Hogs House outside Louisiana.
These homes allow parents to remain close to their children during extended treatment. “Thanks to the hard work and generosity of our supporters, we will continue to positively impact thousands of families each year,” said Rene Louapre, co-founder and COO.
Pediatric Oncology Infrastructure
Hogs also invests in renovating and expanding pediatric oncology units so families can access high-quality care close to home. Recent projects include:
- $1.5 million for Children’s of Mississippi (22,500 sq. ft. inpatient cancer care).
- $1.1 million to Children’s Hospital Colorado for a centralized cell bank.
- $1 million to Prisma Health Children’s Hospital–Upstate for a new Hematology-Oncology Unit.
- $1 million to East Tennessee Children’s Hospital to renovate 8,000+ sq. ft. of oncology space.
Additional grants have supported Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, MUSC, Ochsner Hospital for Children, and others. “Every donation is thoughtfully invested to create lasting impact,” said CFO Zandy Rainold.
Hogs for the Cause hosts an annual two-day New Orleans music festival featuring 95+ barbecue teams and 20+ bands to fuel its mission. Learn more at www.hogsforthecause.org.
SOURCE Hogs for the Cause
