Chefs for Kids' Cancer

by Alison Qualter Berna

Last Thursday night, Craig, Allison and I attended the Chefs for Kids' Cancer event, an annual event hosted by Cookies for Kids' Cancer, an organization the four of us care deeply about. We supported our dear friends Gretchen and Larry Witt and watched their team put on an outstanding evening… a night to remember. More than 40 of New York City’s most renowned chefs took part, each one cooking for their own designated table. We did not know who was cooking for us until we arrived, and the chef’s surprise factor was simply a cherry on top of the incredibly delicious 4-course meal that each table got to uniquely enjoy. Allison and Craig enjoyed cooking by Chef Justin Smillie of Upland, and we ate food from Ryan Hardy, Charlie Bird’s talented culinary artist. We were joined by friends and fellow apple seeds families including Rachel Roberge, Lillian Lin Schlein, Pat Fieger, Mary and Colbert Cannon, Amy and Derek Stoldt to name a few…and we were in awe of Emily Fowler, Nicole Fiehler and the tireless Cookies team that put on the entire event with a smile.

The best parts of the night for us?
A video produced by Allison’s long time friend Ken Druckerman of Left/Right production company. “Why We Are Here” premiered at the event and it made us both cry. To see (and share) the video, visit http://youtu.be/R6YRGOK8EJY

Another favorite was the jar of cookies that each of us got to take home… pastry chefs from all over the city baked hundreds and hundreds of cookies for the guests (and they happily ended up in our kids’ bellies).

Finally, the part of the night that stood out the most was the memory of Liam. Liam’s energy was renewed as each person came to understand a bit more about pediatric cancer...and what they can do to help.

Here are the facts:

• Cancer is the number one cause of death by disease of children in the U.S.
• Less than 4% of the National Cancer Institute's budget goes to all childhood cancers combined.
• Two-thirds of pediatric cancer patients will develop long-term side effects, many life-threatening -- a result of the treatments that "cured" them.
• Only four of the 12 most common types of childhood cancers have average survival rates over 80%.
• 13,500 children in the U.S. are diagnosed with cancer each year.
• There is ONE THING that can truly change the facts of childhood cancers forever -- FUNDING for research to find new, improved therapies.

There is still time to support Cookies for Kids' Cancer and add to the $1.1 million raised that night. The link to the online auction is STILL GOING if you would like to bid or donate! www.biddingforgood.com/cookiesforkidscancer

Love Like Liam.