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10_V1_WAT_Oct26 10 • WATERLOO CHRONICLE • Th ursday, October 26, 2017 Serving your community since 1856 CITY LIFE WATERLOO CHRONICLEWATERLOO CHRONICLE AROUND TOWN By Bob Vrbanac Chronicle Sta� Food can provide comfort and a sense of community when people are in need.  But it also can provide inspiration in the case of chef Kate Downham after her cancer diag- nosis earlier this year led Relish Cooking Stu- dio to compile some of her famous 30-minute recipes in a new book and event called Kate's Cooking for a Cure Oct. 26 in support of Grand River Hospital Foundation. Downham, a mother of three and a gradu- ate of the famous Stratford Chefs School, was going about her daily life back in April when she received the diagnosis that she had stage three breast cancer. It was a complete shock for Downham whose recipes have been featured in Chat- elaine magazine and for six years in the pages of Canadian Living Magazine. She didn't have a family history of cancer, no genetic predis- position and was well aware of the environ- mental factors, including food, that could con- tribute to a cancer diagnosis. She was living the type of healthy lifestyle that would suggest she was far from a candidate for that type of aggressive cancer. "It came really suddenly," said Downham. "Th ere was real concern in the beginning that it had spread, and with young kids and try- ing to keep it together for them, it was all very stressful." She was even planning to come in and teach her famous 30-minute cooking class at Relish Cooking Studio as well as all the tasks that go with raising a young family when the cancer results came in. Relish's Marija Bur- joski, whose own sister survived a similar diag- nosis, said it was fi nally time to take some time for herself. "We couldn't imagine her coming in while she was dealing with all of that," said Burjoski. "We told her to take care of herself." But that doesn't mean she wasn't missed or forgotten by loyal clientele, friends and oth- ers who were inspired by her simple cook- ing that provided nutritious meals with fresh ingredients that fit in today's families' busy schedules. "I put it out on social media, and through these guys at Relish there's just been an out- pouring of support," said Downham. "We had meal trains helping us out, and people sending notes of encouragement -- that really keeps you going." Since then it's been months of chemo- therapy, a mastectomy and radiation therapy. It hasn't been easy, and Downham admits there have been a lot of ups and downs in the journey. But the Guelph native is fi nally wrapping up her radiation therapy later this fall and she is cancer free. She still has hormone replace- ment therapy to do, and is taking part in a new treatment regime, and hopes to keep the can- cer from coming back in the future. Th e whole ordeal has made her aware of what it's like for people going through a can- cer diagnosis, and the support they need from those around them, as well as the encourage- ment that is benefi cial for them. "I'm now much more affected by it, and I'm more aware of helping people with it," said Downham. That why she's fully behind The Best of 30-Minute Meals cookbook put together by Relish Cooking Studios, which did everything from compiling the recipes, to taking food photos for the book and fi nding a publisher to print it. Plus it will help people with cancer. "I was totally surprised by it," said Down- ham. "I thought it was going to be a handout." Burjoski said it was their way of helping out while doing something in the fi ght against cancer. "Sometimes people don't know how to help," said Burjoski. "Everybody handles what they're going through differently, and you don't want to overstep. "But since we know so many people love Kate, we thought we could do this and people can come out one night and show their sup- port." Relish will host Kate's Cook for the Cure, Oct. 26, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. to meet Downham and get a signed copy of the book. For more information visit relishcookingstudio.com. Cooking for a cure New Relish cookbook supports local chef in her battle against cancer BOB VRBANAC PHOTO Marija Burjoski, left, and Relish Cooking Studio are hosting Kate's Cook for a Cure Oct. 26 in support of the Grand River Hospital. It features a cookbook of recipes from Kate Downham, right, and supports her in her � ght against cancer. Waterloo Gardeners talk wildlife Oct. 27 Waterloo Gardeners hosts its monthly meeting Oct. 27, 7:30 p.m., at the Adult Recreation Centre, 185 King St. S., Waterloo. It features a talk from Crystal Bradford and Liam Kijewsk on Gardening for Wildlife. In their presenta- tion they will speak about the amazing biodiversity in Southern Ontario and the pressure on it due to humans. They will discuss techniques and garden styles that are suitable for attracting wildlife to a yard. A portion of the talk will feature well behaved native plants that are great for wildlife. Several of the gardens that they will feature are from the K-W area. Some of the other topics they will address include pollinators, native shrubs and trees, invasive species, Carolinian species and rain gardening. Th ey will have a selection of native plants for sale at the meeting. Please note that due to recent construc- tion, access to the centre parking lot is off Caroline Street only. Waterloo Gardeners fi nal competition of 2017 will be at the meeting as well. Visit www.waterloohort. org for a complete list of the categories which include photography, arrangements, crafts and The Great Pumpkin competition. Hockey Helps the Homeless Oct. 27 Hockey Helps the Homeless is set for Oct. 27, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., at Waterloo's RIM Park. It's an annual tournament in Kitchener-Waterloo where men and women get a chance to play with hockey greats and raise funds to address the needs of the estimated 3,500 people who will experience home- lessness in Kitchener-Waterloo this year. Players register to play and then fundraise money for the cause. All money raised in the K-W tournament go to support fi ve local agencies, YWCA K-W, House of Friendship, Lutherwood, oneROOF and HHUG (Homelessness & Housing Umbrella Group). Th e day consists of hockey games the public can watch for free, silent auction, and private VIP invite only dinner reception. For more information visit hhth.com/kw or call 519-880-4234. Stay Current... From the latest information on local politics, to minor sports scores to what's going on down the street, visit www.waterloochronicle.ca CONNECTED TO YOUR COMMUNITY