Four years ago, the ACCO staff reached out to Gordon Ramsay to extend heartfelt birthday wishes to Steven, fondly known as the ‘Cancer Crusher.’ Prompted by this email, Ramsay not only sent Steven a personal video, but also issued a playful challenge: a ‘chicken-parmesan’ cook-off. Steven eagerly anticipated the chance to meet and cook alongside his idol.
However, various hurdles, including the pandemic and scheduling conflicts, derailed their plans for four long years. Finally, this past weekend marks the long-awaited rendezvous between Steven and Gordon, an event ACCO wouldn’t miss for anything.
Contrary to the original plan of meeting in Las Vegas, the meeting took place at Foxwoods in Connecticut, accompanied by Steven’s mother and the ACCO staff. The itinerary included: a behind-the-scenes tour of the ‘back of house’ behind ‘Hell’s Kitchen,’ an exclusive meet-and-greet with Gordon Ramsay, attend a ‘Hell’s Kitchen’ taping during dinner service, and, of course, the chicken parmesan cook-off.
During the pandemic, Steven launched “Chemo Bites,” a video series featuring his cooking lessons and recipes. This endeavor, which resembled a genuine television show, gained popularity and caught Gordon Ramsay’s attention. Through his cooking, Steven fostered community spirit, and the series remains available on the ACCO website.
In 2020, Steven was hailed as a Gold Ribbon Hero and shared his battle with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). His journey began with frequent bruising and nosebleeds, leading to an ALL diagnosis on his 10th birthday. “I felt my gut instinct was right,” recalled Wendy, Steven’s mother.
Despite facing near-death experiences during treatment, Steven emerged resilient. He now channels his energy into advocacy, hosting blood drives, fundraising, and sharing his story at various events. His mantra of perseverance and positivity continues to inspire others.
Watch below as Steven battles Chef Gordon Ramsay in an epic Chicken Parmesan Battle!
R. No parent ever thinks they will hear the cancer word. I had no idea this world existed. I thought cancer was typically a quicker treatment time with nausea, throwing up and being tired. It’s so much more than that. Life changed so much when caring for a child with cancer. It was difficult to continue to work, try to keep up our home and take care of other kids. Luckily I was able to work from home and be there to care for Jared. I wasn’t prepared for so many clinic visits and hospital visits. We never dreamed Jared wouldn’t be able to walk on his own. The steroids did so much to him and the chemo didn’t help either. The hospital admissions were tough mentally as well as physically. Jared just wanted to be a normal kid but that was so hard with cancer. We had to adapt our home to a walker and wheelchair. The simple task of getting him around the inside of our house and to the car wasn’t easy. Falling was a huge risk for him. I’ll never forget his first fall and the look of terror on his face. Physical therapy helped him a lot but he was never able to walk unassisted again. Watching him be unable to gain weight was hard. He knew he needed to eat and couldn’t. Fighting cancer is so much more than I ever dreamed. Despite all of this we have been blessed to meet some amazing people that we wouldn’t have in our lives otherwise. To this day I still talk to our social worker, his doctors/nurses and so many other cancer families. We were supported by our community in so may ways that helped make this journey a little bit easier. We were overwhelmed at the support we received from so many that didn’t know our family. For that we were forever grateful.
R. Jared passed away on March 22, 2018. We were in the last intense phase of treatment (Delayed Intensification) and just had one chemo treatment left when things went wrong. What should have been an admission for low counts and finishing up the last intense chemo turned into C-diff, an extremely rare bacterial infection and even more rare fungal infection called Mucor. The fungal infection spread to his brain and many of his organs and nothing else could be done. Things happened so quickly and in less than 24 hours Jared would be unresponsive and never be awake again. We experienced things in that last admission that nobody ever should. We never expected to lose Jared. Life without him will never be the same. Jared was the sweetest and most giving kid ever. He worried more about his family than he did himself. Now I volunteer for Jarrett’s Joy Cart at KCH hospital and participate on a Family Advisory council as well to help make the hospital experience better for children and their families. We have helped raise donations for the Joy Cart for the last 3 years and will continue doing so. Jared would love seeing that so many kids that were in the hospital are getting smiles put on their faces by the work we are helping to do.