The Julie Rogers “Gift of Life” Program was established in Beaumont, Texas, in 1994 by Regina Rogers as a tribute to her mother, Julie, a breast cancer survivor, who had a double mastectomy in 1988 and who died following complications from a stroke and heart attack in 1998. Originally dedicated to providing free mammograms for medically underserved women, in the past twelve years, the organization’s services have multiplied and the agency has grown into one of the largest cancer screening initiatives of its type in the state of Texas.

In 2000, the “Gift of Life” broadened its breast cancer mission to include prostate cancer, offering free screenings and educational presentations for men.
 
Although formal cancer awareness and outreach activities began in 1998, they were substantially expanded in 2001, as a result of a generous donation made by Charline Dauphin and her daughter, Robin, in loving memory of their husband and father, Sidney “Chief” Dauphin. The Dauphins’ benevolence has enabled the “Gift of Life” to further develop its consciousness-raising efforts throughout Southeast Texas, including Hamshire Fannett, Lumberton, Silsbee, Sour Lake, and Evadale.

While free mammograms and prostate cancer screenings, along with educational outreach, represent the core components of the agency, the “Gift of Life” has consistently integrated complementary programming into its organizational framework, as well as investigated new avenues in cancer awareness, prevention, and early detection. Over the years, the following activities have been added to create the current slate of services: