Dwayne Plaisance Jr. recalls the beginnings of the Bloody Decks Fishing Rodeo a decade ago as something he and his group of friends did for a fun time.
It has grown a great deal – and done a lot of good – since then.
This will be the 8th annual edition of the rodeo event, which has evolved into a fundraising force for people suffering from unfortunate circumstances. Last year, the event raised more than $130,000, and Plaisance said the hope is that number will continue to increase as it has so much already over the years.
“Every year we’ve been able to raise more money,” Plaisance said. “It’s a snowball effect. More people get involved, we get more sponsors, more money raised and the more money we can get donated to the recipients.”
The four-day event is set for May 22-25 in Grand Isle, and two St. Charles Parish natives are among the fundraiser’s three beneficiaries: Tiffanie Taylor LeBlanc and Amelia Hindman.
LeBlanc, a longtime Luling resident, was diagnosed this year with Grade 3 double-positive invasive ductal carcinoma breast cancer, a highly aggressive form of breast cancer where the cancerous cells grow rapidly. Grade 3 is considered the most aggressive grade of breast cancer.
The mother of three learned her diagnosis in January and was set for surgery late last month. She will require chemotherapy but she is uncertain what further treatments will look like.
Due to her treatment, LeBlanc has had to put her business, Rebel Heart Vintage Boutique, on hold for now. She credits her husband Zandi – also a St. Charles Parish native – for love and support she says has helped her stay strong in the face of great adversity.
Hindman, of Luling, was diagnosed last year with brain cancer at just 4-years-old. Specifically, Hindman has DIPG (diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma), a very rare and extremely aggressive cancer located in the brain stem, which makes it inoperable and untreatable. These tumors invade diffusely throughout the brain stem, growing between normal nerve cells. Aggressive surgery would cause severe damage to neural structures vital for arm and leg movement, eye movement, swallowing, breathing, and even consciousness.
Hindman’s mother Brittany Stevens has become an advocate for pediatric cancer awareness and research.
Stevens said the first signs something was off came when her daughter’s balance seemed off. The problem rapidly got worse, and ultimately a CR scan revealed a mass in Hindman’s brain.
Hindman has undergone six weeks of radiation to help shrink the tumor. She has enrolled in an extended access trial, receiving medication weekly.
The third beneficiary is 7-year-old Asher Bonura of Biloxi, Miss., who was diagnosed with stage 4 Alveolar Rhabdomyosarcoma (ARMS). Stage 4 is considered the most severe stage of ARMS and it requires the most intensive treatment options. Bonura and his family have moved to Memphis where he is undergoing treatment at St. Jude Research Hospital.
Money raised at the Bloody Decks event go toward medical, travel and basic household expenses for the families during their respective battles.
“I’ve been fortunate to have never dealt with these circumstances personally, but when I see the problems these families are going through, it motivates me and motivates my team so much,” Plaisance said. “We have a good group of people behind us and we want to help out any way we can.”
The 8th edition of the rodeo – the two missing years were due to COVID-19 and Hurricane Ida – will feature an adult and kids division. Entries for adults are $30, for children $10. There will be raffle and door prizes, including ice chests and fishing poles.
Plaisance also stressed that this is an event for the whole family.
“A lot of people think this is a weekend-long party for adults, but it’s a family-friendly event for all ages,” Plaisance said. “And you don’t have to fish to have fun. We have live bands and DJs throughout the weekend. It’s going to be a good time and it’s for a great cause.”
