Spending Christmas away from home is never easy for anyone. On top of that, after an intense day of treatments and emotional decisions, there’s nothing better for the families of St. Jude than to sit down at the dinner table as a family and forget about the difficult journey, even for a brief moment. It is for that reason alone that few events at St. Jude unite so many families like the delicious Cuban-style Christmas dinner prepared year after year by author and chef Adrianne Calvo for the kids and families of St. Jude.
“Cooking is definitely my passion, but when you’re helping to bring a smile to a patient and their family at St. Jude, it’s truly cooking with heart,” said Calvo. “To cook them a traditional Cuban dinner is my way of bringing them a little slice of home.”
Patients like Ashley couldn’t keep from smiling at the abundance of traditional delicacies, like roast pork, pork rinds, tostones, plantains and creamy flan. One patient’s grandmother returned to the long line for a second time just to express her gratitude to the chef, telling her it’s been such a long time since she’s tasted something so delicious.
Chef Calvo with St. Jude patient Ashley and her siblings
The St. Jude cause is something near and dear to the heart of Chef Calvo, who knows what it’s like to have a loved one with cancer. Several years ago, Calvo lived through the tragedy of losing her sister to cancer. From that moment, the chef decided to support St. Jude. This past holiday season marked Chef Calvo’s 11th visit to St. Jude to share her Christmas dinner.
“The reason why I return, really, is because of the kids and families. It’s an unforgettable experience – after working all day to organize it for them, to see them happy to receive that meal, or simply hear a child tell you that the food reminds them of spending time at grandma’s house. Something like that is incredible.”
This Mother's Day, our St. Jude families depend on supporters like you
When you support St. Jude, families, like Ashley's, never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food — because all a family should worry about is helping their child live.
-
Journey to the Jude: Heather Brandt, PhD, works to steer HPV vaccination rates in right direction
Heather Brandt, PhD, joined the hospital last summer to lead the hospital’s new HPV Cancer Prevention Program. Learn how her career’s work will help guide this important initiative.
-
St. Jude honors physicians who were key to hospital’s pandemic response
For the first time in St. Jude history, there are two recipients of the annual Amos Jacobs Award—the highest honor given to hospital employees. Read more about their work during the COVID-19 pandemic.
-
A sequence of festive events: ‘Gene Gnome’ delivers holiday hijinks to St. Jude
See how Gene Gnome is bringing some holiday fun to the research community at St. Jude.
-
St. Jude employees have many reasons to say thanks
In a challenging year, read why St. Jude employees are thankful this holiday season.
-
St. Jude resource group supports efforts of veterans, active duty personnel and families
Veterans are an important part of the workforce at St. Jude. Learn how the hospital’s Military Support Resource Group helps employee veterans and active duty personnel.
-
Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month
To mark National Hispanic Heritage Month, St. Jude is honoring some our dedicated Hispanic employees. Learn more about their work.
-
Preparing for a Pandemic
The staff at St. Jude go above and beyond to ensure patient and employee safety throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Read how St. Jude employees collaborate and innovate during this time.
-
Working like a dog: St. Jude Paws at Play celebrates six months of canine care
Brittany Reed and Shandra Taylor share their thoughts on how Puggle and Huckleberry have made an impact on the hospital and their lives. Read their reflections.
-
Journey to the Jude: Escaping war and poverty in his homeland, chef Johnny Siv develops culinary talents to feed the St. Jude community
After escaping the war-torn nation of his youth, chef Johnny Siv uses food to give back to the patients at St. Jude. Read more about his remarkable journey.
-
Tracing Martine Roussel’s independent streak from Africa to the National Academy of Sciences
Martine Roussel, PhD, is renowned for investigations into molecular-level causes of cancer and strategies in developing new treatments for pediatric brain tumors. Read about her journey.
-
Chaplain Kimberly Russell uses creative talent to adapt spiritual care board for St. Jude patients
Learn how St. Jude chaplain Kimberly Russell helps non-verbal patients communicate spiritual needs.
-
Welcoming all who enter
Janice Ivory has given out tens of thousands of smiles to the patients, staff and families of St. Jude over the last 32 years.
-
Celebrating Black History Month
We reflect on our heroes: doctors, patients and supporters who have been a part of our lifesaving mission.
-
Journey to the Jude: Inspired by global adventures, postdoc recruiter Deanna Tremblay seeks world-class scientists
Inspired by her global adventures, postdoc recruiter Deanna Tremblay of Academic Programs seeks world-class scientists.
-
Pediatric Cancer Genome Project sparks a decade of discovery
Leaders at St. Jude launched a bold initiative in 2010 to define the genomic landscape of pediatric cancer.