PEORIA (25News now) – A breast cancer diagnosis in 2019 turned Kelli Ash’s life upside down.
Five years later, she is one of the first cancer survivors to join CEFCU’s new cooking classes at OSF Cancer Institute in Peoria.
In May 2019, Ash went to the doctor for a regular check-up after feeling a lump growing on her body. After several tests, Ash was diagnosed with stage 2 cancer.
“Three days before my daughter’s wedding, the radiologist called me and said I’m sorry to have to tell us this, but your tests came back positive for cancer,” Ash said.
“I like to stay active and wanted to find something that would help me feel normal,” Ash added.
Ash joined the OSF Cancer Institute nutrition program about two years ago to change his lifestyle. She is now one of the first cancer survivors to join the CEFCU cooking classes at OSF.
Each cooking class lasts eight weeks to teach survivors how to eat healthily after cancer. Each class will have up to 12 students.
“It’s a plant-based diet, meaning eating plant-based foods. There’s fiber, vitamins, minerals, and we have additional nutrients that we call viral chemicals,” said Katrina Sommer, OSF registered dietitian and teaching kitchen coordinator.
“I feel like when I wake up every day, it’s no longer a fight with food,” Ash said.
Classes start at the end of January. For more information, click here.
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