DUBAI Over 1,500 UAE chefs have come together to create awareness about breast cancer and support women suffering from the disease.
At the helm is British chef Robbie Stokes whose wife Claire was diagnosed with stage two cancer three years ago.
“Just three weeks after our second child Ethan was born, we found out that Claire had stage 2 cancer. On one hand we were rejoicing the birth of our son and then this terrible news came by. Since then, I have wanted to do something to support women afflicted with breast cancer,” said Stokes who is Executive Chef at Al Badia Golf Club by Intercontinental.
Stokes has received enormous support from his fellow chefs in the UAE for his breast cancer awareness campaigns - The Pink Brigade Foundation and Nourish.
“One of the things we have done is the Pink Brigade jacket drive where over 1,500 chefs bought a custom-made chef jacket for Dh100 each. I am overwhelmed by their support. Every jacket is embroidered with the ‘Dubai Goes Pink’ ribbon logo along with the chef’s full name, title and position,” said Stokes.
Chef Russell Impiazzi, Culinary Director, Galeries Lafayette who is part of the campaign said: “The reason why I want to get involved with Robbie’s campaign is because they are real people with real problems. You read many breast cancer awareness stories and you always turn the pages quickly. Here is a story where you cannot turn the page and you want to stop right there and read.”
A charity ‘Chef’s United Ball’ is being hosted on October 30 as part of the Nourish Campaign to raise funds and educate people on the importance of eating right to stay healthy. “The event will also stress the importance of early detection. Women must know that it takes less time to do a self examination of their breast than getting their hair styled,” said Stokes.
The ball will see 12 award winning UAE chefs cook at live stations. “One dish in each cooking station will be prepared in Claire’s honour. It will consist of vegan, raw, gluten free, sugar free and non-processed diet,” said Stokes.
Expert speakers will talk about breast cancer at the event.
“One of the messages that Claire wants to give is the need for more education amongst women. During her pregnancy she had a hardening in her right breast. We did scans and blood tests but none of them showed cancer. But three days after Ethan’s birth, she could not breast feed him. The doctors did a biopsy which revealed a stage 2 cancer,” Stokes recalled.
Claire’s cancer has now spread her bones and liver. “Everyday she puts up a brave front for the children, even though she is in extreme pain. She wants to be here for as long as possible and fight the cancer out,” he said.
