Ara's Love Foundation

In November 2026, Ara's Love Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer and Lupus Awareness will celebrate its 7th Anniversary at the 4th Annual Jazz & Gospel Brunch and the 3rd Annual Purple Passion Gala.  The Foundation has been blessed to have sponsored over twenty thousand dollars ($20K) in monetary gifts and awards to local warriors of pancreatic cancer, lupus, caregivers and volunteers. At this years Jazz Brunch, it is our hope to increase the number of award recipients to twelve: (5) Pancreatic Cancer Warriors, (5) Lupus Warriors, (1) Volunteer of the Year,  (1) Caregiver of the Year.  The Foundation received its first corporate sponsorship from the Gail and Tom Benson Foundation in 2025.  It is the Foundations hope to gain more sponsorships and donations Funds received are awarded to recipients at the brunch.  

No funds are donated to other foundations or associations. Patient and caregiver/volunteer recipients are nominated by healthcare providers, members of the community and the Foundation Board.  The 2026 GiveNola Day minimum goal is five thousand dollars ($5,000.00). We have partnered with The Institute for Enhanced Equity as the Foundation's fiscal sponsor for (501c3) status.

Ara's Love Foundation was founded in 2019 on the basis of one woman's love for her family and friends. Mrs. Aralean H. Porter shared her spirit of giving with a smile to everyone. Her kindness was simply infectious in her everyday living. Even throughout her illness she managed to still give sound advice or a monetary gift to someone in need. Although she battled Lupus for many years, in November 2017 she succumbed to pancreatic cancer. Her strength and endurance throughout her illness was impeccable, which made starting the Ara's Love Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer and Lupus Awareness in 2019 a labor of love motivated by her audacious spirit. It is important that communities know there is help available for them. Pancreatic Cancer and Lupus are two diseases people just don't or want talk about. Now it's time we talk about it. Now it's time we tell the truths about these diseases. It's time we give caregivers the tools needed to take care of their loved one as well as their own mental and physical health.

Due to the Covid-19 Pandemic, we lost two years of hosting our annual events to honor the "Warriors of Pancreatic Cancer and Lupus, but we never stopped our efforts; Ara's Love Foundation is ready to continue its work and grow as it is pertinent that we assure the community that we are here for them.

The Ara's Love Foundation thanks you in advance for your consideration, support and your generous contribution!

Testimonials

"The work done by this fascinating organization is top notch.  I'm thankful to be a part of its journey.  The work done by its founder and volunteers for the community is outstanding"  Gretchen Blue, 2025 Pancreatic Cancer Survivor Award 

"Receiving the Ara's Love Foundation Award has been an inspiring source of support in my life.  I continue to stand firmly on my faith, anchored in Jeremiah 29:11 as a reminder of hope and purpose" Mary Conerly, 2025 Pancreatic Cancer Survivors Award

"As a Lupus Warrior, I am still learning, still fighting, and still growing.  Taking it one day at a time.  I rise above what was meant to break me.  Taking my struggle as motivation, turning my storms into courage for myself and for others who may be going through.  This is my fight, not my life.  Some feel you're all alone.  Ara's Love Foundation showed me that I'm supported, loved and valued"  Tamara Taylor, 2025 Lupus Survivor's Award

"It was a privilege to be honored as Caregiver of the Year 2025 for the Ara's Love Foundation.  The foundation is making great strides within the community and providing invaluable resources as it brings awareness to Pancreatic Cancer"  Marquesha Murray, 2025 Caregiver of the Year Award

"Ara's Love is such a unique foundation, in that it not only recognizes the challenges of individuals with Lupus and Pancreatic Cancer; it realizes and recognizes the love and sacrifice of the volunteers who are also affected by these diseases.  As a recipient it gave me a heartfelt feeling of being seen" Marilyn Powell, 2025 Volunteer of the Year Award