Steelers cook up a nice afternoon for breast cancer survivors at UPMC Magee in Oakland
Some people call football players warriors for what they endure on a field playing a brutal sport.
“The real warriors are you,” said Pittsburgh Steelers defensive end Stephon Tuitt via a video screen Tuesday to current and former patients of the Magee-Womens Breast Cancer Program of UPMC Hillman Cancer Center. The patients and their caregivers were in an auditorium at UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital in Oakland. “I am happy to give my time for this event, and I hope we can make you laugh a little,” Tuitt continued.
Tuitt and his teammate, linebacker Ulysees Gilbert III, competed in omelet making. Tuitt chose to use meat with his eggs while Gilbert took the vegetable route.
When chefs are trained, one of the first dishes they learn to prepare is an omelet, Pittsburgh Steelers chef Kevin Blinn said.
Blinn mediated the virtual cooking demonstration live from the Steelers practice facility at the UPMC Sports Performance Center on the South Side because of the coronavirus pandemic.
“Mine is better, because it has meat,” said Tuitt, who has participated in the event before. “He is just making an egg soufflé.”
Blinn said both players passed the culinary test, but Tuitt’s omelet was the winner.
The spectators laughed at the players and waved pink Terrible Towels, as they watched them trying to flip the omelet in the pan. Tuitt’s flipping was better, the audience agreed via applause.
#BreastCancerAwarenessMonth
It was a Honor to spend time with everyone. A room full of very strong women. Amen ?? https://t.co/a2XLDyX1hy— stephon tuitt (@DOCnation_7) October 27, 2020
The afternoon was in support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Because Gilbert’s mom and great-aunt are breast cancer survivors, “this is a cause close to my heart,” he said.
Members of the UPMC Magee’s nutrition and culinary staff were on hand, including chef Jonathan Polley. He made a meatless chili with cornbread, which was served to attendees.
Good nutrition is important for patients undergoing breast cancer treatment.
Maintaining a healthy weight and eating the proper diet promotes overall health and may protect individuals against the disease, Polley said. He added it’s best to go with plant-based foods. The hospital has a garden – including a beehive — that is used for meals for patients.
Polley said to limit fried foods and to choose fruits, vegetables and greens. Buy foods in season and start with small changes, such as adding more beans to a meal and less red meat.
The Steelers – the only undefeated team in the National Football League — join all teams in promotion of “A Crucial Catch” campaign, an effort to raise awareness for breast cancer screenings.
Troy Treanor, director of women’s cancer and specialty services at UPMC, said fall is the time of year the city rallies around the Steelers.
“And today it’s the opposite,” he said. “The Steelers are rallying around our patients. They will remember this day. It will live with them through their treatment and have a long-lasting effect.”
It certainly will, agreed Angel Brown, 48, of Beaver Falls, who said her children and grandchildren are her reasons to fight cancer with all she’s got.
“I loved seeing the Steelers,” said Brown, who recently finished chemotherapy treatment. “It was nice to be able to get out of the house. We have to all stay positive. The Steelers get it. They understand we have all been touched by cancer. We are all one community.”
The players answered a few questions. Katie Dudas, 40, asked about a favorite cheat meal. Gilbert said chicken wings and pizza, and Tuitt said doughnuts, chips — and this time of year, anything pumpkin.
“I love all things pumpkin,” said Dudas, of Crafton Heights. “This was so nice of them to do this. I need to do better with my food choices.”
Dudas recently finished treatment for breast cancer diagnosed in December 2019, nine months after her mother Kathy Dudas, 68, of New Castle went through it. Both had chemotherapy, radiation and double mastectomies.
“I felt so bad because she knew how tough it was going to get, because she watched me go through treatment,” Kathy Dudas said. “We had pretty much identical treatments. We will get through this.”
Katie Dudas said she feels as if she had a road map to cancer. It was difficult going from caregiver to care receiver, she said.
“The team at Magee is amazing and so knowledgeable,” said Katie Dudas. “Events like this, where we can learn about proper nutrition and meet the Steelers, although virtually, makes for a pretty good day in a pretty tough time in our lives.”
JoAnne Klimovich Harrop is a TribLive reporter covering the region's diverse culinary scene and unique homes. She writes features about interesting people. The Edward R. Murrow award-winning journalist began her career as a sports reporter. She has been with the Trib for 26 years and is the author of "A Daughter's Promise." She can be reached at jharrop@triblive.com.
Remove the ads from your TribLIVE reading experience but still support the journalists who create the content with TribLIVE Ad-Free.