When you're driving down River Road in Jefferson, Louisiana, it’s hard to miss the massive structure overlooking the Mississippi River. That’s the Gayle and Tom Benson Cancer Center. Honestly, if you live in the Gulf South and haven't had a reason to go inside, you probably still know the name because of the Saints and Pelicans. But what actually happens behind those glass walls is a lot more than just corporate sponsorship. It’s basically the "mothership" for cancer care in this part of the country.
Most people think of a cancer center as just a place where you get chemotherapy and go home. That's a huge misconception.
The Benson Cancer Center is actually a $50 million+ hub that’s now part of the Ochsner MD Anderson Cancer Center partnership. This is a big deal. Why? Because MD Anderson is widely considered the top cancer hospital in the world. Having that level of protocol and research right here in New Orleans means patients don't have to fly to Houston or New York to get "the good stuff."
Why this place feels different
Kinda sounds weird to say a hospital feels "nice," but they clearly put a lot of money into making it not feel like a basement clinic. The infusion center—where people sit for hours getting their meds—has 58 stations. Most of them face the river.
Looking at the water while you're going through the hardest fight of your life? It matters.
The center isn't just one big room, either. It’s broken down into specialized areas. You’ve got the Lieselotte Tansey Breast Center inside, which has its own vibe and specialists. Then there’s the prostate center, the bone marrow transplant wing, and a dedicated area for radiation oncology. It’s a lot to navigate, which is why they use "nurse navigators." These are basically your professional best friends who make sure you don't get lost in the system.
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What most people get wrong about their research
There’s this idea that "clinical trials" are a last resort. Like, "Oh, nothing else worked, let’s try this experimental thing."
At the Benson Cancer Center, they have the Center for Innovative Cancer Therapies. It is the only program in the region dedicated to Phase 1 clinical trials.
Phase 1 is the cutting edge. It’s where the brand-new drugs—the ones that might become the standard of care five years from now—are first tested. Being able to access these locally is a game changer. If you're eligible for a trial, you're getting tomorrow's medicine today.
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The "Whole Person" stuff that actually works
They talk a lot about "integrative oncology." Sounds like marketing fluff, right? It's not.
Basically, they realized that if your body is falling apart from chemo, you need more than just more pills. They built a literal gym inside the center. They have yoga, acupuncture, and a meditation space. They even have an "O Bar," which is like a tech hub where they help you set up apps to track your symptoms at home.
If your temperature spikes at 2:00 AM after a treatment, the app flags it to the care team immediately. That's way better than waiting until Monday morning to call the office.
The Benson Legacy
Tom Benson didn't just give money because he was a philanthropist. He was a patient.
Back in 2008, surgeons at Ochsner removed a cancerous mass from his kidney. He and Gayle started with a $5 million gift in 2010. Then, in 2015, they dropped another $20 million to double the size of the place. Since then, Gayle Benson has kept it going, even expanding into pediatric care with the upcoming Gayle and Tom Benson Ochsner Children’s Hospital.
It’s personal for them. You can tell by how the staff talks about the mission.
What should you do if you're facing a diagnosis?
Honestly, the medical system is a maze. If you or someone you know is looking at the Benson Cancer Center, here are a few practical steps:
- Don't just walk in. Get a referral, but also check if your specific cancer has a multidisciplinary team. They have groups for head and neck, GI, lung, and more. You want the specialists who eat, sleep, and breathe your specific diagnosis.
- Ask about the "Chemotherapy Care Companion." It’s that app I mentioned. It keeps you connected to your doctors 24/7.
- Check the trials early. Don't wait until you've tried everything else to ask about the Center for Innovative Cancer Therapies. Sometimes the best treatment is the one that's still being studied.
- Use the support services. The social workers there are wizards at finding financial help or lodging if you're coming from out of town.
This place isn't just a building with a famous name on it. It’s a massive, complex machine designed to keep people in the Gulf South alive without making them leave their families to do it.
Key Facts at a Glance
- Location: 1515 River Road, Jefferson, LA.
- Partnership: Fully integrated with MD Anderson Cancer Center since 2023.
- Capacity: 58 infusion stations with Mississippi River views.
- Specialties: Includes the Lieselotte Tansey Breast Center and the region’s only Phase 1 clinical trial program.
- Accreditation: ACR Radiation Oncology Practice Accreditation and ASCO reaccredited.
If you're looking for world-class care, you're basically looking at it. Just make sure you take advantage of the navigators—they are the key to making the whole experience manageable.