Cooking for Cancer
Calling food lovers and guest chefs! Sample the dishes of 25 or more guest chefs from around the region to support the Penn State Cancer Institute Kristem Olewine Milke CARE Center. Join us at The Englewood Hershey on Sunday, April 12, 2026 for good food, lively entertainment, and an evening of caring. Food brings us together, and together we can THRIVE. Add your support to the CARE Center’s comprehensive, whole person initiatives for adults diagnosed with cancer.
The 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025 Cooking for Cancer events were huge successes. Our heartfelt thanks to the remarkable community of support that came together. We are so grateful to the Johnson & Johnson HIGHMARK Bright Blue Futures and the Charles A. and Marna Davis Foundation for being our grand sponsors and to all of our sponsors, guest chefs, and volunteers for their leadership and contributions. The 2023 event, which generated $50,000 for the CARE Center, has set a precedent for the years to come!
The 2026 Cooking for Cancer evening will be held on Sunday, April 12th, 5:30-7:30 pm. This signature THRIVE for Life Foundation event will be hosted once again in partnership with Englewood Hershey. The Englewood Hershey is a welcoming Hershey food and entertainment venue, housed in a beautifully restored Pennsylvania barn originally built in 1861.
Grand Sponsor:
Staci Kirchhoff
Greg Ries & Family
First Plate Sponsor:
The Hershey Company
Second Plate Sponsor:
Highmark Blue Shield
Steve Mancuso
Kris Milke
Debra and Seward Ryan
Third Plate Sponsor:
Genentech
Kathleen & John Purcell
Sun Motor Cars Automotive Group
CHEF SPONSORS:
Hoffman Ford
Doug Legore Media
The Family of Sharon Murphy
The James W. and Lynne L. Brown Family Fund in honor of Kathleen Purcell
Friends of the CARE Center:
Jennifer, John, & Harper Merx
Julie Hess
James Mead in honor of Kathleen Purcell
Kerry Maloney
Drs. Terry & Dan Wolpaw
Jim Rogers & Erin Gerhart
Friends of THRIVE:
George Blackall
Maria-Vivienne Boboila
Kathy Carter
Colleen Cohle
Deb Curcillo
Lisa & Collin Erney
Lynn Fantom & Mark Stout
Rita & Mark Filohoski
Marlana “Cricket” Flaherty
Charles Hayes
Julie Hess
Andrea & Alan Hobkirk
Pamela Inners
Paul Juiano
George Knapp
Marilyn & Mike Koser
Sue & Steve Kunisky
Ann Lady
Mary Lemons
Friends of THRIVE Continued:
Mary Ellen Loser
Brian Maloney
Kerry Maloney
Asha Makam
Jen, John, and Harper Merx
Tommy Miller
Sarah Nazeeri
Patti Owens
Mary Purcell
James Rogers & Erin Gerhart
Samantha & Nate Sattazahn
Drs. Erika & Brian Saunders
Dr. Richard & Mrs. Xavia Sheffield
Tim Shuey
Alexandra Sivel
Deborah Smart
Jill Snyder
Joel Sorosky
Thomas Stamm
Molly Starsinic
Judy Thomas
Leah (Maloney) Tully
Peter Vriens
Christine Walsh
Debra White
James Williams
Another big thank you to
all of our amazing chefs, volunteers, and to the Englewood Hershey.
The success of this event is a direct result of your dedication, hard work and the belief that we can make a difference in the lives of those adult patients and their families diagnosed with cancer at the Penn State Cancer Institute.
Thank you!
Mark your Calendars and Plan to Attend our
April 11, 2027 Cooking for Cancer Event.
To become involved or if you would like more information please email mhayes@thriveforlife.me
