Uncommon are blessings, seldom lasting forever. Such is Baton Rouge's Holly Clegg. Beloved by many, the renowned chef faces death with the same spirit with which she faced life, determined not to let gastric cancer steal from her soul what it stole from her body.
She showered local and national audiences with her "healthy cooking" recipes and sparkling personality. Fortune favored her with best-selling books, a popular newspaper column, a popular tv series, and fame. However, the same fortune chose to take it all away with little warning. She announced last August on Facebook:
As I am sitting awaiting my appointment, I want to share some unfortunate news with ya'll. I was just diagnosed with stomach cancer. Zero risk and a rare cancer with only 10 days of symptoms. This is a detour in life that just happens! I plan to tackle this journey. I’m with the wonderful medical team at Md Anderson Cancer Center in Houston and staying with my sister. I am passionate about my work so don’t think you won’t hear from me as we will still continue to whip you into shape in the kitchen with my easy, delicious and healthy recipes. I love this quote a friend of mine shared with me…
“The happiest people don’t necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the best of everything they have.” ~ author unknown
I thank each of you for always sticking with me and being my support through all these years! Let's kick #cancer.
She fought hard but the much-prayed-for good fortune was not to be. Her family posted this poignant message on June 20:
First off, thank you eternally to #TeamHolly. The words thank you don't seem to suffice for the love, support and prayers Holly and her family have received from all of you over the last 10 months. Holly is the strongest, most inspiring person we will ever know. Unfortunately, it is with a heavy heart we inform you that her battle has taken a turn she can no longer come back from following a series of tests this week. The cancer has continued to spread and has begun to cause complications elsewhere in her body. For this reason, her team of doctors have advised against treatment as no treatment could stop the inevitable. As a result, the goal has shifted to ensuring she is as comfortable as possible and focus on managing her pain, which the hospice care team is best positioned to help. While the last couple of months have continued to spiral downward, Holly never lost hope on a hail mary and Holly’s determination to fight has never stopped and it still hasn't. Holly and her family received this news yesterday and as you can imagine, it was an emotionally taxing day for everyone. But, in typical Holly fashion, she was laughing and continued to have her beautiful smile. Her husband and children were all by her side. They cried, they laughed and cried some more. Holly and the family is still trying to process at this time, but their aspiration is to get her back to Dallas. She remains in the hospital at MD Anderson in Houston while they sort through the next best steps. We are sure you all feel as helpless as we do and are wondering how you can help Holly and or her family during this incredibly challenging time. When Holly was first diagnosed, she sat in Dr. Badgwell's office and said "I can do this. I have a platform where I can raise awareness and hopefully help save lives." To help Holly deliver on this aspiration, the family created a Holly Clegg's Gastric Cancer Research Fund at MD Anderson. Initially, the family and Holly believed she would lead this charge but now this will become her legacy. For those who wish to help her achieve her goal of raising awareness, you can donate below. If you want to donate what you planned to spend for lunch or the most gourmet of dinners...any amount helps! Again, thank you #TeamHolly and keep cooking Trim & Terrific!She managed to attend an event held in her honor Thursday night that raised over $150,000 for gastric cancer research. Her team continues to posts recipes and updates on her Facebook page. It's a testament to her will to live even in these last days. The eyes still show a window into her spirit even as her body fades under cancer's assault.
3 comments:
It's terrible that all the money put toward cancer research hasn't found a cure yet.
This women life cut short at a young age.
Now 2 mass shooting in 24 hrs. WOW! The devil is really running to & fro speading all his evil around. Yes, Cancer is evil. It causes a lot of pain & suffering!
GOD BLESS THIS WOMEN! May she be comforted that there is a GOD who will welcome her into heaven where there is no gashing of teeth or pain & suffering.
What a beautiful example to us all. Indomitable spirit at life's end and giving to and beyond the end of this journey. God be with her, her family, and all those who continue this research.
Many years ago, I met Holly when she was selling her first cookbook at a small table set up at Saks Fifth Avenue in New Orleans. She was such a kind and wonderful person. She autographed the cookbook for my wife and we have purchased her other cookbooks.
Very sad news when we found out about her cancer. She is a special lady. God bless her and her family.
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