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 Research 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.
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
DirectorHeather Greenlee, ND, PhD is an Associate Professor in the Public Health Sciences and Clinical Research Divisions at Fred Hutch, Associate Professor of Medical Oncology at the University of Washington…
Heather Greenlee, ND, PhD is an Associate Professor in the Public Health Sciences and Clinical Research Divisions at Fred Hutch, Associate Professor of Medical Oncology at the University of Washington School of Medicine, and Medical Director of Integrative Medicine at Seattle Cancer Care Alliance. 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.
Liza Schattenkerk
Associate DirectorA dynamic digital media and e-commerce executive, Liza has deep experience in creating, executing, and marketing all types of high-impact, mixed-media projects for lifestyle brands. As a founding member of…
A dynamic digital media and e-commerce executive, Liza has deep experience in creating, executing, and marketing all types of high-impact, mixed-media projects for lifestyle brands. As a founding member of Food.com (formerly Genius Kitchen), Liza was instrumental in helping the brand grow, making it the #3 food destination in digital. Liza also created Food’s video strategy, which became the most socially engaging and viral content in the history of Scripps, now Discovery Networks. From teaching busy people how to get dinner on the table to tailoring recipes for specific diets, Liza is thrilled to bring 20+ years of culinary and content experience to the team at Cook for Your Life.
Eileen Rillamas-Sun, PhD, MPH
Staff ScientistDr. 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…
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, WA 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.
Sara Buzali, MA, PhD candidate
Social Marketing CoordinatorWith an academic background in communications and public image, Sara is a digital marketing specialist. In previous roles, Sara has designed social media strategies for startups, NGOs, and the Mexican…
With an academic background in communications and public image, Sara is a digital marketing specialist. In previous roles, Sara 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. Sara is excited to empower people touched by cancer to achieve better health through nutrition.
Kate Ueland, MS, RD, CSO
Registered DietitianKate Ueland, MS, RD, CSO Is a registered dietitian and a board certified specialist in oncology nutrition who works with cancer patients throughout all stages of the cancer journey from…
Kate Ueland, MS, RD, CSO Is a registered dietitian and a board certified specialist in oncology nutrition who works with cancer patients throughout all stages of the cancer journey from cancer prevention, during treatment and supporting patients in survivorship at Seattle Cancer Care Alliance (SCCA) in Seattle, WA. As Cook for Your Life’s nutrition advisor and editor, Kate ensures all culinary content adheres to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and follow science-based guidelines. She earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Washington in biochemistry and received her master’s degree from Bastyr University in nutrition. Her research interests are in cancer prevention and survivorship, especially in breast cancer and sports nutrition.
Corry Hart Clayville
Director of PartnershipsCorry Hart Clayville is a senior media executive with 25+ years of media expertise working with start-up brands in both television and digital media. Extensively experienced in crafting unique revenue…
Corry Hart Clayville is a senior media executive with 25+ years of media expertise working with start-up brands in both television and digital media. Extensively experienced in crafting unique revenue and brand partnerships with Fortune 500 companies, Corry’s innovative approach was integral to the launch of notable media brands such as The Food Network, Fine Living Television, Sundance Channel, IFC and ION Television. A passionate foodie driven by a vision to improve the human condition for those affected by cancer, Corry is excited to develop and lead innovative partnerships for Cook for Your Life at Fred Hutch.
Sofia Cobos Sanchez, MPH
Project CoordinatorSofia earned a Bachelor of Science in exercise science at Adams State University in Alamosa, Colorado. Upon graduation, Sofia returned to her hometown of Las Cruces, New Mexico to earn…
Sofia earned a Bachelor of Science in exercise science at Adams State University in Alamosa, Colorado. Upon graduation, Sofia returned to her hometown of Las Cruces, New Mexico to earn her Masters of Public Health from New Mexico State University. After earning her MPH, Sofia worked as an e-learning designer creating interactive health and wellness modules for the Partnership for the Advancement of Cancer Research, an NIH-funded collaboration between NMSU and Fred Hutch. As a research coordinator on Cook for Your Life projects, Sofia is excited to help cancer survivors make lifestyle changes through the use of technology. In her free time, Sofia enjoys exploring Seattle’s food scene.
Ally Doyle
Administrative CoordinatorAfter graduating from the University of Washington with a Bachelor of Arts in Communications, Ally started her career in non-profit, then corporate event planning. After 5 years, Ally changed directions…
After graduating from the University of Washington with a Bachelor of Arts in Communications, Ally started her career in non-profit, then corporate event planning. After 5 years, Ally changed directions and landed back at the University of Washington in research administration. Here at Fred Hutch, Ally supports the Greenlee Studies team, the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance (SCCA) Integrative Medicine team, and the Cook for Your Life team through high-level administrative support. She also is the project administrator for a multi-organization project supporting the creation of clinical practice guidelines for cancer care.
Ann Ogden Gaffney
FounderA former fashion consultant, Ann Ogden Gaffney realized after her second treatment that her heart was no longer in seasonal colors and hemline trends. Instead, she wanted to help people…
A former fashion consultant, Ann Ogden Gaffney realized after her second 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, the nonprofit organization Cook for Your Life was born. 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 highly anticipated cookbook, based on Cook for Your Life’s classes, which was nominated for a James Beard Award.
About Fred Hutch
An independent, nonprofit research institute based in Seattle, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research 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.