MMR Remembers Late Employee Holly Hollis Stars’ Legacy, Endowment Established Through Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Foundation

July 7, 2023

Holly Hollis Stars Endowment Fund will support cancer education, prevention and detection

BATON ROUGE, LA – MMR is proud to announce the establishment of the Holly Hollis Stars Endowment Fund, remembering the life and legacy of beloved friend and colleague Holly Hollis Stars. The endowment honors Holly’s remarkable efforts in the fight against cancer and supports Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center’s Prevention on the Go Program, which eases access to early detection services in Louisiana and Southwest Mississippi.

“Holly will always be remembered as an invaluable member of our team, whose impact on her colleagues and community will forever resonate,” said MMR Senior Vice President Jonathan Bruser. “We are proud to continue her legacy by supporting a program that reflects her strong advocacy, providing free access to cancer education, prevention and detection services within our community.”

MMR is honored to join Holly’s husband, Mark, and her mother, Susan McFarlain, in creating the Holly Hollis Stars Endowment Fund through Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Foundation. MMR has made a lead commitment of $75,000 in support of her endowment. With MMR’s anchor contribution, a $25,000 matching gift, established through generous donors of the Cancer Center, was unlocked and will allow the Holly Hollis Stars Endowment Fund to begin making an annual impact.

In April 2022, Holly passed after a long, hard-fought battle with stage four triple-negative breast cancer. She was a light to all and remained fierce and determined in her battle against cancer, sharing openly about her experiences and leaving a lasting impression on everyone she met.

Holly joined MMR as a corporate counsel in 2008 after receiving a Juris Doctorate from the Louisiana State University Paul M. Hebert Law Center, and she served as Human Resources Director – Corporate Counsel for 13 years. Throughout her battle with breast cancer, she remained an advocate for cancer care and prevention. Holly served as the co-master of ceremonies and guest of honor at the 2019 Baton Rouge American Cancer Society Best Dressed Ball, as the virtual co-hostess in 2020, and again in 2021 as an honoree. In 2019, she participated as an honoree in the Woman’s Hospital BUST Breast Cancer event.

While fearlessly and courageously battling her diagnosis, Holly championed for employee wellness and was a driving force behind MMR’s participation in the Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center Prevention on the Go – Workplace Program. In 2019, MMR joined Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center as a corporate partner and was named a Partner of Compassion in 2022.

The Holly Hollis Stars Endowment Fund aims to continue Holly’s cancer advocacy by providing funding for early detection, prevention, education and screenings through the Prevention on the Go Program. Prevention on the Go removes barriers to cancer education and early detection services, providing individuals with easy access to care services in convenient locations. The Cancer Center travels throughout Louisiana and Southwest Mississippi in its mobile medical clinic to serve thousands of participants annually. Since inception, Prevention on the Go doctors have performed more than 100,000 screenings resulting more than 800 cancers detected.

Holly will forever be remembered for her warmth, humor and true grit in the face of difficult circumstances. As July 8^th marks what would have been her 40^th birthday, MMR asks that you consider making a contribution in celebration of her life and legacy through the Holly Hollis Stars Endowment Fund online or by mail:

Donations in Holly’s Memory:

Online:

https://marybirdfoundation.org/holly-hollis-stars

Checks:

Payable to Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Foundation (Memo: Holly Hollis Stars Endowment Fund)

Mail to: Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Foundation
Attn: Development Office
4950 Essen Lane
Baton Rouge, LA 70809

About MMR

MMR is the industry leader in instrumentation and electrical construction, maintenance and technical services. Under the leadership of President and CEO James “Pepper” Rutland, MMR continues to grow both regionally and nationally with 30 branch offices throughout North and South America.

For more information on MMR or to inquire about services offered, please visit our brochure, website or call 225-756-5090. Like us on Facebook, LinkedIn, or follow us on Twitter.

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