I’m a chef who wants to cook for guests, not for myself.
So said Anoosh Shariat, who died in October, 2024 at 67 after a six-year struggle with colon cancer. Exiled from his home in Iran, Shariat came to Louisville 40 years ago to work at the long-departed Remington’s, ran several popular restaurants of his own, and made countless guests happy. In addition, he devoted thousands of hours to philanthropic pursuits, often in conjunction with the Louisville non-profit Apron Inc.
Now it’s time to pay it forward in memory of Anoosh. Following are the central points of an information release detailing Shine For Anoosh: A Colon Cancer Awareness Fundraiser.
Speaking personally, Colon Cancer Awareness Month is of more than mere academic interest. There is a history of colon cancer on my mother’s side of the family, and twice in the past decade-plus during the course of a colonoscopy, I’ve had potentially “bad” nodules removed. The colonoscopy is an amazing preventative screening procedure, the discomfort is brief but entirely worth it, and there is simply no reason to avoid having it done.
I am immune to your excuses. Just do it.
The facts follow, and the conclusion matters: “Together, we can honor Anoosh’s legacy and make a lasting difference in the fight against colon cancer.”
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March is Colon Cancer Awareness Month, a time to spread awareness about the importance of prevention and early detection. This March, the community is coming together to #ShineForAnoosh, a fundraising campaign dedicated to raising awareness and supporting colon cancer prevention efforts. The campaign encourages individuals to donate $25 to “purchase a bulb,” symbolizing a collective effort to shine a light on the importance of on-time screenings and early detection.
The campaign will kick off on Saturday, March 1st, with the illumination of the Big Four Bridge in blue—a powerful tribute to the late Anoosh Shariat, a beloved chef and advocate who fought bravely against colon cancer. Anoosh was diagnosed with colon cancer in 2018 and fought tirelessly to share the message of on-time screening being essential to prevent others from suffering. This event is proudly sponsored by Chef Dallas McGarity of The Fat Lamb, who is committed to continuing Anoosh’s legacy by raising awareness and encouraging preventive action.
- Shine a Light for Awareness – Each $25 donation represents a bulb lighting up in memory of Anoosh Shariat and all those impacted by colon cancer. Those donations will indeed shine a light on colon cancer, encouraging on-time screening and intervention.
- Prevention Starts with Awareness – Colon cancer is highly treatable if caught early. On-time screenings save lives. Understanding risk and symptoms is imperative.
- Together, We Light the Way – By 2030, colorectal cancer is projected to be the leading cause of cancer-related deaths for individuals under 50. Through awareness and action, we can change this outcome.
Supporters can contribute by donating online at https://igfn.us/form/l2Zbmw or texting Anoosh to 41444.
In addition, March 7th marks the Colon Cancer Prevention Project’s Bottoms Up Bash, an annual fundraising gala dedicated to advancing colon cancer prevention. Tickets are available at https://qtego.us/l/kickingbutt/tickets. The event will also feature a silent auction, open to participants who are unable to attend but still want to contribute to the cause.
Chef & Restaurant Involvement – Local chefs and restaurants are invited to participate by making donations, sharing the campaign, and offering a “Shine for Anoosh” menu special, with proceeds benefiting the cause. Many establishments are promoting the #ShineForAnoosh campaign in house (confirmed as of 2/28: Fat Lamb, 610 Magnolia, Mesh, Brasserie Provence, Bourbons Bistro, Fork & Barrel, Morning Fork and Cuvee Wine Table).
To further the reach of this initiative, participants are encouraged to tag friends and challenge them to donate using the campaign hashtags:
#ShineForAnoosh #ShineALightOnColonCancer #ColonCancerAwarenessMonth #CCPP #KickingButt
To learn more about risk of colon cancer and resources available to you, visit https://coloncancerpreventionproject.org/
