Donation used to buy four ventilators for CHRISTUS St. Frances Cabrini Hospital’s COVID-19 Unit
Marksville, LA. – (March 17, 2021) – The Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana and Paragon Casino Resort recently made a $10,000 donation to the CHRISTUS St. Frances Cabrini Foundation in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The donation was used to purchase an additional four ventilators for those in critical care at CHRISTUS St. Frances Cabrini Hospital in Rapides Parish.
Ventilators are life-saving pieces of equipment used to keep patients alive by supporting breathing. They have been vital throughout the COVID-19 pandemic in helping patients to survive. Due to the increased demand, many healthcare facilities around the world have run into shortages of this essential equipment.
“This donation from the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe and Paragon Casino Resort couldn’t have come at a more perfect time as were still seeing a surge of COVID cases here in Central Louisiana at the beginning of the year,” said Ashley Walker, executive director of development for the CHRISTUS St. Frances Cabrini Foundation. “Our hospital was immediately able to order additional ventilators to meet the demand, ensuring that we continue to have the ability to serve any and every person in need of care in our area.”
This donation is just one of the ways that the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe has worked to assist the community and their tribal citizens amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has been extremely challenging, especially here in Avoyelles Parish and in order to do our part in this fight, we are honored to donate $10,000 to CHRISTUS St. Frances Cabrini Health System to treat those in need of critical care,” said Marshall Ray Sampson Sr., vice-chairman of the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana and assistant general manager of Paragon Casino Resort. “This donation has covered the cost of ventilators in order to treat those in need of critical care. We are grateful to be partners with Cabrini and hope this donation helps to save lives and continue the fight against COVID-19.”
In order to do their part in the fight against COVID-19, the Tribe provided free housing for tribal citizens who tested positive for COVID-19, personal protective equipment (PPE) and an Emergency COVID Assistance Program (E-COVID). The Tunica-Biloxi Tribe also offered a free testing site for the Avoyelles community in June and instituted regulations and safety protocol to keep patrons of Paragon Casino Resort safe.
For more information on the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana, click here. For more information on CHRISTUS St. Frances Cabrini Foundation, click here.
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About the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana:
The Tunica-Biloxi people first appeared in the Mississippi Valley. In the late 1700s, they settled near Marksville, where they were skilled traders and entrepreneurs. Today, the Tribe has more than 1,200 members throughout the United States, primarily in Louisiana, Texas and Illinois. The Tunica-Biloxi Tribe received federal recognition in 1981 for its reservation within the boundaries of Louisiana. The tribe owns and operates the Paragon Casino Resort, the largest employer in Central Louisiana. Through its compact, negotiated by the late Tribal Chairman Earl J. Barbry Sr. and the State of Louisiana, the Tribe has assisted local governments in the area with its quarterly distribution of funds, totaling more than $40 million over two decades. For more information about the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana, visit www.tunicabiloxi.org and “like” us on Facebook.
About Paragon Casino Resort:
Since opening its doors in 1994, Paragon Casino Resort has strived to become the most entertaining gaming destination in the South. Following its recent refresh, now is the time to take another look at the Paragon.
The facilities features an impressive lineup of luxury amenities and attractions, including 1,300 Las Vegas-style slot machines on a 64,000-square-foot gaming floor; hotel with more than 500 rooms; full-service spa and salon; 18-hole golf course with a fully stocked pro-shop and grillroom; indoor tropical pool with a swim-up bar; a soaring retail atrium with “living” bayou and alligator encounters; a three-screen cinema; Atrium Bar with an ice bar; seven restaurants; daiquiri bar; full-service RV resort with 205 slips and 30 cabins; Kids Quest child care activity center; Cyber Quest arcade; over 75,000 square feet of meeting space and three retail shops.
Over the years, Paragon facilities have made a significant economic impact on central Louisiana. Currently, the Paragon employs over 1,100 associates. In addition, six percent of its net gaming revenue is given to local municipalities. Since 2016, The Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority (MTGA), operator of Mohegan Sun properties throughout the United States, partnered with Paragon Casino Resort and now serves as gaming, hospitality and entertainment consultants for the Marksville, Louisiana casino and resort.
For more information, please visit https://www.paragoncasinoresort.com/ and follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.