Note: (As you know, Luiz Alberto and wife, Nanci Bergamo, of The Wine Hub, recently started #winelover against cancer. A few days ago, I had the opportunity to attend an event run by cancer survivors, aptly named, 'A Second Helping of Life'. It was a fundraiser, as is the t-shirt that supports #winelover against cancer.)
My wife runs a ‘prayer circle’ for those friends or friends
of friends who need encouragement during their long journey with cancer and
other illness. Many of her acquaintances have survived breast or ovarian
cancer.
Others haven’t.
There is an organization, SHARE, that raises awareness for women affected by
breast and ovarian cancer. To survive financially, SHARE sponsors a benefit
each year, titled, ‘A Second Helping of Life’. The benefit includes
participating and celebrity chefs, an auction led by Nicholas D. Lowry of Swann
Auction Galleries (NYC) and awards to Honorees, Marcia Godosky, Dr. Aye Moe Thu Ma and Karen Orczyk.
This years ‘benefit’ took place in Manhattan
on Monday, September 21st at Pier 60 /Chelsea Piers. The money
raised from the event helps SHARE to meet their goals. The culinary end of the benefit
features prominent chefs who are women.
April Bloomfield of The Spotted Pig and The Breslin fame acts as the event’s
executive Chef.
Participating chefs from local restaurants volunteer and include, a list of ‘Whose
Who’ of the culinary world.
The chefs include:
Amanda Cohen: Dirt Candy
Robecca Isbell: Betony
Sue Torres: Espoleta & Sagrada BK
Lynn Bound: 54 Below
Angie Mar: The Beatrice Inn
Jessica Weiss: Maialino
Sawako Okochi: Shalom Japan
Lauren Resler: Empellon Cocina
Colleen Grapes: Oceana
Amanda Cook: Cookshop
Sarabeth Levine: Sarabeth’s
Christine Lau: Bar Chuko Izakaya
Patti Jacobson: Delaware and Hudson
Roxanne Spruance: Kingsley
Zahra Tangorra: Brucie
Deborah Racicot: Narcissa
Allison Robicelli: Robicelli’s
Barbara Sibley: La Palapa
Janine Booth: Root & Bone
Alex Raij: Txikito, El Quinto Pino & La Vara
Leah Cohen: Pig and Khao
Sara Jenkins: Porsena, Porchetta
Lauren DeSteno, Marea
Add 28 Celebrity Sous Chefs to the list above and you have a roomful of high caliber
cooks.
Pat Battle, co-anchor of Weekend Today and a cancer survivor was the emcee for
the event. Her upbeat style and positive attitude helped make the event a
success.
SHARE is a 39 year old ‘survivor’ led organization that provides support, information
and resources to women affected by breast or ovarian cancer. Its ‘Mission’ is to help women
and their families address the emotional and practical issues that arise from a
cancer diagnosis and to provide the support these women need to feel less isolated,
better informed and more empowered as health care consumers. Each year, more
than 32,000 people are touched by the SHARE program.
The funds raised by ‘A Second Helping of Life’, from the
event enables SHARE to provide free support services and educational programs
to thousands of women and families.
In its 12
th year, nearly four million dollars has been raised at the
event.
Last year, over 300,000 people were diagnosed with breast cancer and over
20,000 women were diagnosed with ovarian cancer.
These diseases affect everyone.
To learn more about SHARE, visit
www.sharecancersupport.org
