About Cook for Your Life | CFYL @ Fred Hutch

About Us

We empower people affected by cancer to achieve better health through nutrition.

Improving the Overall Health of Society

Cook for Your Life was founded in 2007 by three-time cancer survivor Ann Ogden Gaffney (pictured here with Dr. Heather Greenlee), who left her career in the fashion industry to start a non-profit in New York City providing free in-person classes to cancer patients and survivors. Ann’s classes eventually became the extensive online resource you see today, offering healthy recipes and nutrition tips to people touched by cancer all around the world.

A Shared Mission

In 2009, Ann began a collaboration with Dr. Heather Greenlee, epidemiologist and integrative medicine researcher, who moved from Columbia University to join Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center (Fred Hutch) in 2017. This partnership has led to National Cancer Institute and foundation-funded trials to study how nutrition interventions can improve health outcomes among cancer patients and survivors, with a focus on underserved communities. 

Acquired by Fred Hutch in 2019, Cook for Your Life offers an ever-expanding collection of recipes, instructional cooking videos, and science-based nutrition and health information in both English and Spanish – all adhering to standards established by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Backed by research and clinical trials, Dr. Greenlee and other scientists at Fred Hutch are using this global platform as a powerful tool to advance research on diet, cancer prevention, and survivorship. 

The Cook for Your Life team is committed to reaching people wherever they are and strives to be an inclusive, multicultural resource that everyone can use, with the ultimate goal of helping millions of people worldwide live their best lives.

Cook for Your LIFE with cup logo small

Words From Our

FOUNDER

“During my second bout with cancer, I realized that my cooking skills were helping me to navigate the side effects of treatment better than most of my fellow patients in the chemo suite. I started sharing tips and recipes with them, which a year later morphed into my first free cooking class.” – Ann Ogden Gaffney, Founder, Cook for Your Life

Meet Our Team

We leverage our diverse backgrounds to bring you a one-of-a-kind, research-fueled culinary experience.

Heather Greenlee, ND, PhD

Director

Heather Greenlee, ND, PhD is an Associate Professor in the Public Health Sciences and Clinical Research Divisions at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Associate Professor of Medical Oncology at the University…

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Heather Greenlee, ND, PhD is an Associate Professor in the Public Health Sciences and Clinical Research Divisions at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Associate Professor of Medical Oncology at the University of Washington School of Medicine, and Medical Director of Integrative Medicine at Fred Hutch. Dr. Greenlee studied medical anthropology and public health at the University of Washington and naturopathic medicine at Bastyr University before obtaining a PhD in epidemiology from Columbia University. She was on the faculty in the Mailman School of Public Health at Columbia University prior to joining the Fred Hutch faculty in 2017 to pursue her two research passions: cancer survivorship and integrative medicine. Dr. Greenlee conducts research on obesity and cancer with a focus on underserved patient populations; she also studies integrative therapies such as acupuncture, meditation, dietary supplements, and yoga. Since 2010, Dr. Greenlee and Ann have collaborated on several projects involving Cook for Your Life, including a study that showed beneficial changes among Latina breast cancer survivors after utilizing Cook for Your Life tips and tools such as food shopping field trips, hands-on cooking classes, and nutrition roundtables.

Eileen Rillamas-Sun, PhD, MPH

Senior Staff Scientist

Dr. Rillamas-Sun received training in Health Behavior and Health Education (MPH) and Epidemiology (PhD) from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, MI. After completing a post-doctoral fellowship in women’s…

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Dr. Rillamas-Sun received training in Health Behavior and Health Education (MPH) and Epidemiology (PhD) from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, MI. After completing a post-doctoral fellowship in women’s health with the Group Health Research Institute (now, Kaiser Permanente Research Institute) in Seattle in 2013, she began working as a staff scientist at Fred Hutch supporting research projects in women’s health and aging, physical activity and sedentary behavior, cardiovascular disease, comorbidities, childhood obesity, and diet and nutrition.

Sheryl Rothmuller

Digital Content Manager

Sheryl Rothmuller has a background in content strategy and digital project management. From serving as an NBC public relations rep to a digital web producer for Viking Cruises, she has…

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Sheryl Rothmuller has a background in content strategy and digital project management. From serving as an NBC public relations rep to a digital web producer for Viking Cruises, she has also crafted internal comms strategies for Premera Blue Cross and developed “future of work” stories for Microsoft’s Center of Innovation. She’s had multiple stints at The Walt Disney Company, where she has managed websites, created content for Disney.com and their Talent Acquisition social channels, and developed food and craft content for FamilyFun.com (now Parent.com). A new-ish Seattleite, she enjoys exploring the food scene in each of the area’s unique neighborhoods.

Ally Doyle

Administrative Coordinator

After graduating from the University of Washington with a Bachelor of Arts in Communications, Ally Doyle started her career in non-profit, then corporate event planning. Five years later, she changed…

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After graduating from the University of Washington with a Bachelor of Arts in Communications, Ally Doyle started her career in non-profit, then corporate event planning. Five years later, she changed directions and landed back at the University of Washington in research administration. At Fred Hutch, Ally supports the Greenlee Studies research team and the Integrative Medicine clinical team through high-level administrative support. She also provides project management support for the Cook for Your Life program.

Sara Buzali, MA, PhD

Digital Marketing Coordinator

With an academic background in communications and public image, Dr. Buzali is a digital marketing specialist. In previous roles, she has designed social media strategies for startups, NGOs, and the…

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With an academic background in communications and public image, Dr. Buzali is a digital marketing specialist. In previous roles, she has designed social media strategies for startups, NGOs, and the Mexican government, including successful campaigns for Shark Tank, Waze, and Woman Rights in Mexico. In her free time, she channels her passions which led her to found Homodeco, a public image management company supporting transgender women. She also volunteers for two non-profit vegan organizations as a social media manager. Dr. Buzali is excited to empower people touched by cancer to achieve better health through nutrition.

Gretchen Gruender, MS, RDN, CSO

Registered Dietitian

Gretchen Gruender has spent 20 years specializing in oncology nutrition. While at Fred Hutch, she focused on breast, gynecologic, lung, renal and prostate cancers. More recently, she has been…

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Gretchen Gruender has spent 20 years specializing in oncology nutrition. While at Fred Hutch, she focused on breast, gynecologic, lung, renal and prostate cancers. More recently, she has been working with cancer survivors on making lifestyle changes through focused nutrition counseling. She completed her Master of Science in nutrition at Bastyr University and has been a board-certified specialist in oncology nutrition from the Commission on Dietetic Registration since 2010. As Cook for Your Life’s nutrition advisor and editor, Gretchen ensures all culinary content adheres to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and follow science-based guidelines.

Jenn Dearden, MS, RD

Registered Dietitian & Web Content Editor

Jenn Dearden is a registered dietitian with a background in professional cooking. Prior to becoming a dietitian, she attended a farm-to-table cooking school and spent the next eight years working in kitchens from…

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Jenn Dearden is a registered dietitian with a background in professional cooking. Prior to becoming a dietitian, she attended a farm-to-table cooking school and spent the next eight years working in kitchens from New York to the San Francisco Bay Area.  Losing her father to cancer inspired Jenn to pursue graduate education at the University of Washington, where she earned her Master of Science and completed clinical dietetic training. She is passionate about empowering people through cooking and nutrition and aims to counsel individuals with cancer and other chronic diseases as part of her future career. Jenn serves as Cook for Your Life’s content writer and editor.

Jenny Whitten

Research Project Manager

Jenny Whitten-Brannon is a Research Project Manager for the Greenlee Studies team. A Pacific Northwest native, Jenny graduated from the University of Washington with a Bachelor of Arts in English…

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Jenny Whitten-Brannon is a Research Project Manager for the Greenlee Studies team. A Pacific Northwest native, Jenny graduated from the University of Washington with a Bachelor of Arts in English and a Bachelor of Science in biology. After falling in love with her research work and healthcare, she earned a Master of Public Health from the University of Washington. Throughout her career she has worked with studies focused on pediatric obesity, respiratory care, oncology, adult transplant, transplant survivorship, and is now thrilled to work on breast cancer research with the Greenlee Team.

Yarizel Herrera

Bilingual Project Coordinator

Yarizel started working in clinical research after graduating from Central Washington University with a Bachelor of Science in Public Health, specializing in Population Health. Her research interests grew when she…

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Yarizel started working in clinical research after graduating from Central Washington University with a Bachelor of Science in Public Health, specializing in Population Health. Her research interests grew when she studied abroad in Morocco, focusing on transnational migration and health care systems that offer support to migrants. She has worked in different areas of research, including data collection, survey development, regulatory maintenance, and study coordination. Yarizel has enjoyed working with different populations—from Hispanic migrants to Vietnam-era veterans to patients going through cancer treatment; and is excited to work with new populations while on the Greenlee Team.

Ann Ogden Gaffney

Founder

A former fashion consultant, Ann Ogden Gaffney realized after her second cancer treatment that her heart was no longer in seasonal colors and hemline trends. Instead, she wanted to help…

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A former fashion consultant, Ann Ogden Gaffney realized after her second cancer treatment that her heart was no longer in seasonal colors and hemline trends. Instead, she wanted to help people with cancer and their families cook and care for themselves. In 2007, she launched the non-profit organization Cook for Your Life. Its programs have received funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and have been embraced by prestigious organizations such as Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health, Mount Sinai Health System, Atlantic Health System Cancer Care, the American Cancer Society’s Hope Lodge in New York City, and more. Cook for Your Life has touched hundreds of thousands of lives. In 2015, Gaffney delivered her very first cookbook, “Cook for Your Life: Delicious, Nourishing Recipes for Before, During, and After Cancer Treatment,” based on Cook for Your Life’s classes, which was nominated for a James Beard Award.

Fred Hutch Campus

About Fred Hutch

An independent, nonprofit research institute based in Seattle, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center’s teams of world-renowned scientists work together to prevent, diagnose, and treat cancer, HIV/AIDS, and other diseases. Through Cook for Your Life, Fred Hutch scientists are learning the best ways to deliver culinary and nutrition information to cancer patients, survivors, families, and caregivers in order to improve their overall health.

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Registered Dietitian Approved

Our recipes, articles, and videos are reviewed by our oncology-trained dietitians to ensure that each is backed with scientific evidence and follows the guidelines set by the Oncology Nutrition for Clinical Practice, 2nd Ed., published by the Oncology Nutrition Dietetic Practice Group, a professional interest group of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, and the American Institute for Cancer Research and the American Cancer Society