CM presents Vons employee donation to hospital that treated his wife Brigid

Brigid and Tom LaBonge hold $100,000 check to USC/Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, joined by Tina Pakfar of USC/Norris, Dr. Oscar Streeter, and store manager Leticia Perez.

Councilmember Tom LaBonge joined Vons employees in presenting a $100,000 check to the USC/Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center Tuesday at the Pavilion’s supermarket at the corner of Melrose and Vine. The Councilmember’s wife Brigid LaBonge, who was successfully treated at the center, attended the event as well.

“I’m very grateful to the good people at USC/Norris for taking care of my wife Brigid during a difficult time for our family,” the Councilmember said. “I’m also grateful to Vons employees and shoppers who raised this money.”

Mrs. LaBonge, who has been cancer-free since October, 2006, said the event had a certain synchronicity for her because she has been both a Vons shopper and USC/Norris donor for decades.

“They’re two places who really take care of me coming together to make an impact,” Mrs. LaBonge said.

The event was held in the store’s florist area with about a dozen employees gathered around. The employees and customers of several regional Vons-owned stores (including Pavilions) raised the donation money in a variety of ways during the annual month-long breast cancer fundraising campaign held every October. The check presentation was held in March to coincide with Women's History month and at Vine St. Pavilions to be in the Fourth Council District.

Dr. Oscar Streeter, the radiation oncologist who treated Mrs. LaBonge, said breast cancer treatment has become much more successful in recent years, but fundraising has become more difficult. He and Tina Pakfar, executive director of development for USC/Norris, said they were grateful to Vons employees and shoppers for the generous donation.