by Kirby Lindsay Laney, posted 14 September 2015
Tickets are on-sale now for the first-ever ‘Bite Of Fremont’ on Saturday, September 26th, at the Fremont Abbey Arts Center. With limited seating available for this delicious meal, and fundraiser for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS), those who find out first – and buy tickets early – will have an advantage over the Fremont folk vying for the few tickets that might be sold at the door.
Krystal Richardson, N.D., of Naturopathic Family Medicine (NFM,) has organized 11 tastes from 10 exceptional eateries around our area, along with entertainment and activities for the kiddies, all to give us a chance to help create more survivors of blood cancers.
‘The Most Powerful Resource’
At the end of September, Dr. Richardson will finish her medical residency at NFM. Yet, the ‘Bite Of Fremont’ actually celebrates another milestone in her life. “I’m a lymphoma survivor,” she explained, “along with my twin sister.” The odds of such a thing happening, especially at the same time to twins, she was told was ‘akin to winning the lottery, twice.’ Along with her sister, Dr. Richardson’s illness has gone into remission – for two years now – and now she wants to support and share with others about the great work of LLS.
“My sister did use their services,” Dr. Richardson said. LLS provides a range of services to those fighting leukemia, lymphoma and dozens of other blood cancers. Her sister used some of the financial support offered by LLS, along with being matched with a lymphoma survivor who could walk with her as she fought the disease.
Donations to LLS also funds research, with over 300 research programs being conducted last year world-wide, into cures for all blood cancers, including Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma. Last year, LLS invested nearly $79.8 million in this cutting edge research. And every-day the voluntary health agency advocates for patients, and their families, to help them navigate treatments, and ensure access to quality, affordable, and coordinated life-saving health care.
Dr. Richardson praised the support given by the Washington/Alaska Chapter of LLS (which has offices in Fremont,) for the free help and support they provide, even if she didn’t use it during her battle. On her own, she found a survivor who gave her the strength to keep fighting. “I think the program LLS has that matches up newly-diagnosed with a survivor is the most powerful resource. I had one, and I think they really got me through,” she observed.
At Naturopathic Family Medicine, “we’re a family medical practice,” Dr. Richardson explained, “and we see a lot of kids.” Some of these have even been diagnosed with leukemia and lymphoma. As a Naturopathic Practitioner, Dr. Richardson hopes her own experience, as difficult as it was, can help her patients, no matter what their health. “The benefit of my having had lymphoma,” she said, “I know the distrust of your body that creates. I’m helping people learn to trust their bodies.”
‘The Food Is The Star’
“A large part of our clients come from this area,” Dr. Richardson acknowledged, and she hopes they will come and enjoy the unforgettable meal that the ‘Bite Of Fremont’ will provide.
The 10 area restaurants providing a bite of an entrée, dessert, or appetizer are some of our very best. They are:
- Via Tribunali
- Uneeda Burger
- RoRo BBQ & Grill
- Ponti Seafood Grill
- Pecado Bueno
- Paseo Caribbean Food
- A La Mode Pies
- Irwin’s Neighborhood Bakery & Cafe
- Hale’s Ales Pub
- Ha!
“It is no secret that the food is the star,” of the ‘Bite of Fremont,’ Dr. Richardson observed.
“They were all very willing to join in a good cause,” Dr. Richardson explained about the restaurants she approached, “and help with a community – based event.” Still, “it takes a lot of perseverance to get through to the right person,” she admitted, “I talked to many, many places.” She started her recruiting campaign in May, she said, and “I didn’t start getting restaurants with a solid yes or no until July.”
“Hale’s was one of the easiest to work with, and Via [Tribunali] was the first to respond, and the quickest,” Dr. Richardson reported. James Schmidt of Pecado Bueno came on-board quickly, “once it was understood it was a bite and not a meal.” Most of the restaurants liked the idea, but they were reluctant about delivering 100 complete meals to the Abbey. Once they understood they only needed to provide their best bite, recruiting went much easier.
Plenty Of Reasons To Do Good, And Eat Well
In addition to enjoying the scrumptious meal, attendees will be able to bid on silent auction items including jewelry, furniture, Woodland Park Zoo passes, RockCreek Seafood & Spirits gift certificates, chiropractic, massage, and waxing services. Provided they don’t get called away, the Seattle Fire Department have also promised to come by the Abbey with a fire truck for the kids to explore. Attendees can expect to find a whole selection of entertainments and family-friendly activities at the ‘Bite Of Fremont.’
They will also be able to meet representatives from the Washington/Alaska LLS Chapter, and hear other survivor’s stories. When Dr. Richardson first contacted them with her idea, “they sent somebody out to speak with me. They’ve been really helpful.” They gave her suggestions and support in her planning. “I’ve never planned anything of this size before,” she said. She’s appreciated all the help she’s been given, from LLS along with Jessica Vets of the Fremont Chamber of Commerce.
The ‘Bite Of Fremont’ presents us with that wonderful mix of community, concern and celebration that creates indelible memories for those lucky enough to take part. If you want to attend, purchase your tickets today – and be sure to arrive before 11:30a. Once the food gets served, there will be nothing left but to sit back and enjoy!
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