Posture & Purpose With Dr. Michelle Carr Frank
Welcome to Posture and Purpose where both healing and community come together! An inside look into Carr Chiropractic and Dr. Michelle Carr Frank.
Posture & Purpose With Dr. Michelle Carr Frank
From Miles Perret's Battle To A Community Lifeline For Cancer Support
A child’s fight sparked a movement. When Miles Perret’s family turned grief into action, they didn’t build another fundraiser; they built a safety net that cancer treatment doesn’t cover. We sit down with community liaison Sherry Hernandez to trace how Games of Acadiana opened the doors to free, holistic services that now support more than 4,000 families a year across ten parishes.
Sherry walks us through the real-world help people can count on: durable medical equipment, medical supplies, wigs and head coverings, nutritional supplements, transportation assistance, and family programs like Smiles for Miles. We dig into the power of partnerships with oncologists, navigators, and hospitals through a Clinical Advisory Committee that keeps services practical, evidence-informed, and patient-centered. You’ll also hear a moving wig-salon story that captures what dignity looks like when confidence returns in time for a daughter’s wedding.
Wellness is the next frontier. The center’s current gym and coaching will soon expand into a new Capitol Drive location featuring a larger wellness center, a teaching kitchen for nutrition classes and cooking demos, and a flexible studio for modalities like sound therapy, acupuncture, and pet therapy. It’s a whole-person approach designed to meet patients and caregivers at every stage of the journey, with no income checks and no insurance barriers—just a simple qualification: a cancer diagnosis.
Community is the engine. From volunteer-powered events and mailings to the beloved Camellia Crossing glow run on Thanksgiving Eve, every hour and dollar turns into concrete support for local families. If you’ve ever wondered how to help without writing a big check, this conversation shows the way. Subscribe, share with someone who needs it, and tell us how you plan to get involved—volunteer, donate, or join a team for the glow run. Your support keeps lifesaving services free.
And tell us what are the services that the Miles Paret Center offers to these families? So our scope of services is very large, and you and I were just talking about that. You know, the fortunate and unfortunate thing is many families don't realize everything that we provide until they themselves are a family member gets diagnosed with cancer.
SPEAKER_00:Welcome to Posture and Purpose, where both healing and community come together. Make sure to subscribe on Apple, Spotify, and YouTube. Let's get into this episode with Dr. Michelle Carr Frank.
SPEAKER_02:Hello and welcome to today's episode of Posture and Purpose. Today I have Miss Sherry Hernandez, who is the community liaison with the Miles Peret Center here in Lafayette. So welcome. Thank you so much for having me. Thank you for being here. And for our listeners who may not be familiar with Miles Paret, what is the story behind its creation?
SPEAKER_01:Sure. Well, I think that's one of my favorite parts about everything that our organization offers. So we were founded after a little boy named Miles Peret, of course, who was diagnosed with a glioblastoma. And during Miles' cancer journey, the community really rallied around his family and just, you know, took them under their wing and you know really made a difference. And Miles was one of five brothers at the time. So during his treatment, you know, he still had family that was in school and doing all the typical, you know, young boy things, um, school activities, sports, and um, so after Miles passed away, um, his parents, Hank and Debbie Perrett, um realized there was a real void in the community for um a centralized place, if you will, um, that offered other families that have been facing a cancer diagnosis, those same types of services and and things that the community really, you know, offered their family. And so um, in his honor and in his memory, Miles Pratt Cancer Services um was founded, and um now 25 years later, we're you know still here doing you know everything that we can just to help um families who are fighting cancer.
SPEAKER_02:Twenty-five years later, how wonderful! That's right. If you have uh been in Lafayette for any amount of time, you should know the name Miles Paret because you guys have done so much. And tell our listeners um but behind this inspiring founding of the center, how have you seen the mission of the Miles Parette Center evolve over time?
SPEAKER_01:Sure, so it's been really interesting. So um a lot of people may be familiar with Games of Acadiana, um, which is one of our signature fundraisers. But what um a lot of the community may not realize is that games was the catalyst um for us being able to open our doors. So which is a really neat little backstory. So it's kind of become our signature fundraiser, but a lot of the community knows Miles Paret in reference to games, but maybe thinks that that's you know, that is who we are, and and it is, it's it's you know, it's our signature fundraiser. But um the first games was so successful that it allowed us to open our doors shortly after. Um, so now you know it's out of all the events we do, it's a really, you know, really special event. And um over the years, you know, we have fortunately and unfortunately, you know, grown to help over 4,000 families each year. Um each year. So we are just so incredibly blessed to be in an area like Acadiana. Um the community has been unbelievable. And so, you know, we know we couldn't continue to support that many families without the support of, you know, our neighbors right here in Acadiana. So I think that's been the biggest um, you know, impact for me is you know, unfortunately seeing those numbers increase as diagnosis increase, but um the community has never, you know, never wavered in their support of our organization and the families that use our services.
SPEAKER_02:And uh the community is very fortunate to have you guys as well. That's right. Tell us about the games of Acadiana. Um, you know, some people have heard about it, but tell us what's the bread and butter of it.
SPEAKER_01:So when the idea of starting an organization came about, um, funny enough, um, Hank and Debbie set the boys down and um, you know, said basically, look, if we're going to, you know, to do this, obviously it's gonna take, you know, a lot of funding. Um, we're gonna have to raise money and kind of brainstormed with the kids to see like, what would you want to do? You know, well, naturally they wanted some kind of competition element. And so from that conversation, Games of Acadiana was born. And um, of course, and you know, no one's wildest dreams that they expect they'd be opening, you know, the organization so shortly thereafter. Um, but it's just been truly incredible to see, you know, a sense of community is what um allowed us to open our doors and then has really kept us, you know, kept us going um through all these years. But people may not realize that it really was, you know, um an idea of the family and of Miles' brother. So and I think that's one thing that the spirit of Games of Acadiana is still there, still there all these years later. Um and Debbie likes to say, which I love, that you know, Miles would be the first one in line at one of the games. Um so we've we've kept his spirit alive through games and through the things that we do um every day.
SPEAKER_02:That's what I was gonna ask you.
SPEAKER_01:Um, is the Pratt family still here in Lafayette? They are. Um, so they are still here. Hank and Debbie are at our office every week, either for a committee meeting or helping us pack, you know, for an event, supplies, whatever we need, um, and and the rest of the family too. And so I think that is a special element of all of this too, is that you know, they're still very involved, and um, and I think that again, you know, continues to carry the spirit of Miles and which helps us in everything we do and and the families that we serve also.
SPEAKER_02:I I loved I love that story. I I wasn't aware of that. So thank you for sharing that. That's wonderful. And tell us what are the services that the Miles Parette Center offers to these families?
SPEAKER_01:So our scope of services is very large, and you and I were just talking about that. You know, the the fortunate and unfortunate thing is many families don't realize everything that we provide until they themselves are a family member gets diagnosed with cancer. Um, and so one of the things that was important to the Parette family, even you know, from the very beginning, is that we wanted to be there to fill the gaps in whatever that looked like for a patient. So sometimes people think we treat cancer, um, and we like to say we do everything but that. So um mostly interstitial services, um, so medical supplies, um durable medical equipment like walkers, you know, um crutches, things like that, um, wigs and head coverings. That's a very, you know, a very big service. Nutritional supplements, that's probably one of the largest supplements that um our largest services that we offer. Um we can help with transportation assistance um for patients that are traveling often. Um and one of the the two of the neatest things about our services, um everything that we offer is a hundred percent free of charge to, you know, to the community, thanks to the community and and you know, thanks to the support um of our events. But the second part of that is that all of the services that we offer are based on, you know, the family's personal experience with cancer. And so um just like the transportation assistant. So when Miles was diagnosed, he was traveling multiple times a week to New Orleans for treatment, you know, and so I think that's pretty special that, you know, it kind of comes from firsthand experience, um to really yeah, give patients what they need. Um, and then the third aspect of that is oftentimes when you're looking at a cancer diagnosis, um, you hate to say that the family gets forgotten about, but you know, a lot of the focus is on the patient as it should be. But you know, it really a cancer diagnosis affects the whole family. And so then the caretakers. That's right, the caretakers, the family members, the brothers, the sisters. Um, and then sometimes when it's a pediatric patient, it's the mom and dad too. And so we offer a variety of family programs as well, everything from um monthly support groups to um a once-a-month family activity that we call Smiles for Miles, which is just a night of family fun. So it's everything from maybe going to a UL basketball game or a night at the cart ranch. Um, but all of the expenses are taken care of and fantastic. It's really just a time for the families to have fun, let their hair down, and not have to worry about the expenses associated with that, and then also being around other families that are experiencing, you know, uh the same things in their life as well. But having some even small sense of normalcy at the same time. Absolutely. So we try to really touch, you know, all aspects of how cancer affects an individual and family, also.
SPEAKER_02:So you mentioned free. Are there any financial requirements that people have to meet or any family across any demographic?
SPEAKER_01:Not at all. So the the only um qualification would be a cancer diagnosis, unfortunately. But after that, we um don't verify insurance, income, um, any of that stuff. So we just want to be there, you know, to help in any way that we can. Um, we do cover 10 parishes in Acadiana. Wow, 10. It's a lot. Yeah, it's I didn't realize that. Um, so a patient would either need to live in one of those 10 parishes or be receiving treatment in one of those areas. So um a lot of times, you know, patients maybe from Baton Rouge or other areas, you know, will come here for treatment and so they would be eligible for our services, or you know, MD Anderson's a great organization, um, New Orleans hospitals, you know, um, so even if a patient's going the other way, if they live in one of our service areas, they're able to utilize any of our services.
SPEAKER_02:I was wondering now that you mentioned that, are there any hospitals here in Lafayette or any um uh service or organizations that you have a special relationship with or all of them?
SPEAKER_01:Yeah, all actually all of them, and they have all been um really involved since the beginning. And um, one of the things that the um parettes established very early on was um what we call our CAT committee, our clinical advisory committee. So it's made up of, you know, um patient navigators and dietitians and oncologists and everything in between. But these are really our advisors for everything, you know, everything that we offer from services to supplements to, you know, just our daily functions of the organization. So um all of our medical partners have been incredible in all these years later, um, whether it's a radiology office or an oncologist or infusion center, um, and then of course all the major hospitals, they, you know, are still supporting us either through, you know, committees and advice, um, and then of course, you know, through sponsorships and donations as well.
SPEAKER_02:So of course, those always help.
SPEAKER_01:It's been incredible to see how those relationships have expanded um this many years later. And then some of the original board members are still on our board to this day or on one of our advisory committees. So it's oh my gosh, they must have seen so much change. That's right. It's pretty neat to see it come full circle.
SPEAKER_02:I love to hear how you not only support the patient, but also the family. Um, you know, is there any mental health um provided? Uh any counseling, I think you mentioned. Um, how is that holistic type of approach important to the family and the patient?
SPEAKER_01:Sure. Um it's it's huge and it's you know, it's very big, as we meant, you know, as we talked about a little while ago, oftentimes, you know, the family just or the caregivers, you know, and it and it's an accidental thing, but you know, they just get overlooked sometimes. So um we have partnered with different organizations in the past for counseling services. Um and then of course we have our our day-to-day services, but then we're always looking to expand. Um, wellness is a is a huge thing for our um clients and their families. And so um right now we do have a wellness center at our office, and so it's basically a fully functional gym. We have a wellness director um that's able to do, you know, help with nutritional support, um, one-on-one advice and workouts. Um, but one of the exciting things that I'm excited to share is that after the first of the year, we're going to be moving into a new location, which is amazing in of itself. It's um it's gonna give us the opportunity to expand tremendously. But out of everything, um, our wellness services are going to just expand trifold. And so um we're not only gonna have a much bigger wellness center, but we're going to um have a teaching kitchen. So we'll be able to bring in um, you know, dietitians and nutritionists and do um expand our nutritional support through seminars or um cooking demonstrations. We're gonna have a whole studio where we're able to bring in um right now everything's all in one room. So our wellness center, we have our treadmills and um all that stuff, but um, it's really gonna allow us to expand our wellness services, and so that opens the doors for everything from you know, potentially uh sound therapy and acupuncture and pet therapy and more people and more families.
SPEAKER_02:That's right.
SPEAKER_01:I mean, the the possibilities are endless. So we are so excited about that. And it's this day and age, everything's going towards wellness, even you know, under the the umbrella of cancer. And so we're so excited to be expanding those services and really see how that, you know, helps us come full circle. Can you share it to with everyone listening where where it will be? Sure. So we're gonna be located on Capitol Drive, which is really so our office right now is on Kali Saloon, um, the corner of Kali Saloon in Marshall. And so we're really just moving right down um Kali Saloon. Um it's the light at St. Pius. Um, so we're back in an industrial complex back there. Okay. Um so not far, literally just five minutes down the road, but it's just gonna allow us endless opportunities. So we can't wait. So um everyone always asks, you know, what's the move-in date? And oh gosh, you know, we we can't wait. But um, it's we'll definitely be after the first of the year, and then we'll kind of, you know, get a better timeline. But um, we're so excited for that opportunity. I'm so happy for you too. Thank you.
SPEAKER_02:And how do you get the word out about the Miles Parette and the cancer um services? Um, I shouldn't say cancer services, but the services that you provide overall, um, that everyone in Acadiana has access to it.
SPEAKER_01:Well, that's the hard part. You know, um, again, you know, we keep talking about the double-edged sword, you know, we we do cover such a large service area and have many services to offer. Um, but again, as we were talking earlier, you know, unfortunately that message sometimes gets lost in translation unless someone is personally affected by cancer. But um again, this community is like no other. So, you know, we are um obviously always looking for, you know, or happy to have boots on the ground through health fairs and visiting with our medical partners. That's probably, you know, one of the the best ways that we're able to, you know, communicate with the public is through our medical partners and through our patient navigators and oncology nurses. Um so we we've really tried to grow our partnerships with the medical community. And then of course, you know, just being out in the community, visiting with patients, um, you know, whether that's at a community fair, or everywhere. Everywhere. So we we try to be, and and it's interesting, you know, even as much outreach as as we do, it's just, you know, it's it's such a large service area. And so we're just we're always just trying to let people know. And then the thing is, you know, everything's a hundred percent free of charge. And so for us, we just want people to know that we're here and that we're able, you know, to help them in their time of need. So that's that's the biggest, you know, big biggest message that we want to pass on through the community. So yes, spread the word.
SPEAKER_02:Yes, that's right. That's right. And we're so fortunate. You mentioned, you know, living here um in the Lafayette area. We're known for the big hearts and the generosity. Um the success of the Miles Paret Center moving forward. How do you see the community having a part in that?
SPEAKER_01:Absolutely. So I think the number one way is through volunteering. So, you know, we we talk about this in our presentations or just in our, you know, our public talks all the time. You know, many people feel like they can't make a difference because they can't write a big check. And for us, I mean, each year it takes us tens of thousands of volunteer hours to even not only facilitate one event, but you know, just our day-to-day things that go on at the office.
SPEAKER_02:So my mother used to that's right, she didn't fold the calendars.
SPEAKER_01:That was an activity to everything from, like you mentioned, you know, calendar folding. We send out monthly calendars, but it's thousands of calendars and we need them folded to mail out. Um, we need volunteers for our glow run every year, whether it's serving food or helping, you know, at the start of the event, you know, kind of hurting crowds and everything in between. Um You can get involved. You can get involved and it's and it's easy to get involved. And it, you know, it doesn't feel like work when, you know, when you love what you do or when you're passionate about the organization that you support. And then um also we can offer service hours too, which is very neat. So um with schools that need, you know, whether it's for a 4-H club or you know, something like that, um, if they need volunteer hours, we're able to um give them that as well. So you can kind of get your hours and and have fun at the same time and then have some very important life lessons that's right to know why you're doing it.
SPEAKER_02:So can you share a story or a moment that you remember um that captures the spirit of what you do every day at the Miles Pret Center or of the Miles Pret Center itself?
SPEAKER_01:Sure. So one of my favorite stories, and I feel like we've told this a bunch, but it's it's probably my favorite story that I've ever heard or been a part of. Um, we had a mom that came in and her daughter was getting married, and the mom was recently diagnosed with cancer and unfortunately was starting to lose her hair. Um we have a wig salon at our office where patients are able to come in and get fitted um for wigs and or head coverings. You know, we're in Louisiana, so sometimes people want to forego the wigs because they're hot. Um, but um this mom um came in, you know, obviously her spirits were not very high, and um she met with one of our service coordinators and tried on a variety of wigs and um absolutely fell in love with one, and she wanted to FaceTime her daughter the same way her daughter FaceTimed her when she picked out her wedding dress.
SPEAKER_02:Oh, hell yeah.
SPEAKER_01:And so I know I've mentioned full circle moments a bunch today, but um, that's a true full circle moment. And um, I mean, her demeanor completely changed, personality completely changed, and you could just see her spirits just go through the roof. Oh, that has to make a difference, makes a huge difference, and that's just one story that we could share, but just the embodiment of you know, you can think of the worst time in your life, probably um facing a cancer diagnosis, and you know, some are worse than others, and then having to come to an organization a lot of times, you know, the patients don't really know what they need or what they're looking for, they may just be looking to come have a conversation, right? And then, you know, whether it's a few minutes or an hour, seeing how they come through the doors and then how they exit the doors, for me, that's everything. I was gonna say that it has to be fulfilling. Absolutely, absolutely.
SPEAKER_02:And how do the volunteers and local businesses help support your mission? So if anyone's listening and they want to support your mission with the Miles Paret Center, can they just give you a call and say, hey, I'm recently retired, but I'd like to do some work with you guys.
SPEAKER_01:I'd love to help. How can they get involved? They can, and that's usually how we get most of our volunteers. But um, our website has a plethora of information. So if even if it's someone that doesn't want to talk on the phone, we have a volunteer tab on our website. So you can literally go to our site, click that volunteer button, and there's just three little questions. I think it just asks for your name, your phone number, and your email, and then that prompts an email straight to our volunteer coordinator for her to reach out and say, Okay, these are the opportunities that we have, or for her to ask, what are you interested in? Because sometimes they know out the gate, you know, like they there's a certain event they want to volunteer for, or they need so many hours for a club, or um, so the only qualification there is that they would just have to be 16 years old to volunteer. And other than that, I mean, we have more than enough opportunities, you know, to spread around. So absolutely.
SPEAKER_02:And what advice would you give someone who's uh supporting a family member that has had a recent diagnosis? Because I know I've been through it myself with my mother, and when you get that diagnosis or when she got her diagnosis, like you said, it affects the entire family. How can someone provide the support needed? Do you have any advice for anyone?
SPEAKER_01:My best advice would be don't be afraid to ask for help. And I think that's the thing that we see the most is you know, even if it's a it's always even if it's a family that's you know caretaking for an individual, there's always one that's carrying, you know, the brunt of the load. Um so don't be afraid to ask for help. And even, you know, we have so many great resources, whether it's Miles Paret or other, you know, organizations that support families affected by cancer. Um, there's a plethora of resources out there. And even if it's just to get information, just make that call or stop in for a cup of coffee. Um, we see patients on all legs of their cancer journey. So, you know, sometimes it's the same day of diagnosis. They come in our doors and they just, you know, just want to talk or they're just not really sure what to do next. And then sometimes it takes time to process. And it may be, you know, seven months down the road before they come through our doors and either they didn't think they needed our services or they just weren't ready to make it truly official. Sure. Um, so we, you know, we see patients on all aspects of their cancer journeys. But I think that's and for patients as well, just ask for help and don't be afraid to, you know, ask the questions and you know, and we live in such an incredible community, so let them rally around you and lift you up and support you, you know.
SPEAKER_02:Absolutely. Um, and that's that's usually the tough part because everyone processes it different differently. And it's hard to be the person trying to help sometimes as well. So absolutely ask for help yourself. Yeah. And you mentioned the glow run. When does that take place?
SPEAKER_01:So the glow run is every year. Um, we call it Thanksgiving Eve. So it's always the night before Thanksgiving. Registration is actually open now. So if you know families want to get involved and sign up, um, we're we're super excited to bring it back again this year. This is actually our 22nd Camellia Crossing. So we tell everyone, um, sometimes they hear the night before Thanksgiving, and you know, it's a little daunting, but we say, you know, let us tire the kids out, let us, you know, feed your family and perfect family activity. It really sets off the holidays, and so it's become a great family tradition for a lot of a lot of uh community members and families in the area. So, how can they find a registration form on the website? I guess. The website's the easiest. I mean, we we do such a great job of keeping everything updated on there. So the website will tell you everything you need to know about Camellia, and there's a a button they can just click right there, and it'll take them straight to that registration portal.
SPEAKER_02:What is the one message uh for our listeners to take away? What would you like them to learn about today's podcast with you?
SPEAKER_01:Oh, that's a good question. Um, you know, really that uh we just have so many incredible organizations and families in this area, you know, we're we're so lucky to be in this Acadiana community. So um, you know, uh ask that everyone maybe just um explore and see what's out there and you know don't ever think that, you know, you're too small or too big to be involved because I mean giving back in the community you live really makes a huge difference and there's lots of ways to do that.
SPEAKER_02:And I'm sure working for an organization like Miles Paret, does it ever get tough for you? How do you stay positive and resilient um with working with sometimes you know unfortunate situations?
SPEAKER_01:Yeah, so we of course as a team, you know, we have tough days, especially, you know, there's obviously families and patients that we get super close to, and so you know, you're kind of going through that with them some days, but on the flip side of that, it uh makes it such an incredible um experience to get to have what we call a job, but you know, you're getting to make a difference every day, and so it really doesn't feel like work when you love what you do. And so I think for us, um, you know, uh we have patients that tell us every day what a difference we make, but they don't realize how much of a difference they're making in our lives, too. So um it's it's really sweet experience, and we're very lucky to be on a team that you know does the work that we do.
SPEAKER_02:Very easy. So everyone get involved and either join a team or create your own team, either with a business or with friends, or um either way, you're supporting a great, great uh service. So thank you. And my last question of the day how do you maintain your posture while pursuing your purpose in life?
SPEAKER_01:I love this question. Um and I may have mentioned a little bit about this earlier, but um I believe that maintaining posture while pursuing purpose starts with loving what you do and doing what you love. I feel like that's a motto that I, you know, try to, you know, uphold. Um and when your work aligns with your passion, it makes it very easy and allows you to maintain confidence, humility, balance, um, and then no matter where the purpose leads you.
SPEAKER_02:So yes, well, thank you, and that's a wonderful answer. Thank you so much for being here. We really appreciate your time. Thanks so much for having me. And until next time, sit up straight, stay happy, stay healthy, and stay adjusted.
SPEAKER_00:Thanks for listening to the Posture and Purpose Podcast with Dr. Michelle Car Frank. Make sure to subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts. Until next time.