Local Organization Will Cook Things Up to Help Young Woman Fighting Breast Cancer

When Pamela Hernandez, 34, of San Angelo went for a standard obstetrics and gynecology check-up and learned she had a lump in her breast, she told herself, “It’s nothing. I’ll be fine.”

However, three weeks ago, after undergoing a mammogram and biopsies, Hernandez learned she had two cancerous tumors that have spread “all over.”

[[{"fid":"14091","view_mode":"preview","type":"media","attributes":{"alt":"Cooking for Christ will host Breast Cancer Benefit in honor of Pamela Hernandez Sunday at Blaine's Pub in San Angelo. (Contributed Photo\\Cooking for Christ)","title":"Cooking for Christ will host Breast Cancer Benefit in honor of Pamela Hernandez Sunday at Blaine's Pub in San Angelo. (Contributed Photo\\Cooking for Christ)","class":"media-element file-preview imgbody"}}]]

“It didn’t seem real for a while,” Hernandez said about her diagnosis. “I told myself it would be okay, but it wasn’t.”

For the young mother of two sons, Coda, 8, and Jonah, 5, Hernandez wasn’t prepared for this news.

“This was definitely unexpected. I’m 34,” she said. “I’m not supposed to have this.”

Hernandez said she and her husband just bought a new house and a new car, and that was something they worked hard for. Things were going well, but now the family has this to deal with.

“Hopefully, we will be able to keep our house,” Hernandez said.

If one local organization has its way, Hernandez will get her wish.

Beginning at noon on Sunday, Aug. 2, Cooking for Christ will host a Breast Cancer Benefit for Hernandez at Blaine’s Pub, 10 W. Harris Ave. in San Angelo.

An official for the organization, who said he didn’t wish to be named in this article because the members of Cooking for Christ don’t want to promote self-gratification, said as soon as he and other members found out about Hernandez’s diagnosis, they contacted her to see if they could hold a benefit.

“Our goal is to raise a little bit of money so [Pamela] can focus on beating cancer and recovering,” this member said. The organization member also said the money will help Hernandez’s husband, Jr, take time off work to provide support for his wife.

“We would like to give $6,000 to $8,000 so [the couple] can put it in the bank and pay the bills for the next few months,” he said.

Hernandez, the daughter of Steve Fowler, owner of Bill’s Man Shop, is beloved by many members in the community, the Cooking for Christ member said.

When told Cooking for Christ members said this of her, Hernandez, with the sound of tears in her voice, said, “I’m flattered and humbled. The kindness is overwhelming.”

Hernandez said she was amazed at Cooking for Christ putting this benefit together so quickly. Members planned the event in three weeks.

“It’s amazing,” she said. “I can’t be more grateful.”

For the cookers, however, this benefit is a way to pay things forward.

“We are actors of God,” the member said.

Cooking for Christ started five years ago in San Angelo. The organization has helped many cancer victims over the years, and it now has more than 30 members and hosts up to 34 events annually. Originally, the members were competition cookers, but decided they no longer wanted to compete; instead, they wanted to cook for a cause.

“We’re a 100 percent charitable organization,” the Cooking for Christ member said.

At the event on Sunday, the organization will cook barbecue pork sandwiches with all the fixings, including green beans and mashed potatoes. All plates will be sold by donation only. Additionally, at 2:30 p.m. attendees will be able to participate in a silent auction and bid on a Wrangler jacket with Country singer George Straight’s signature, cowboy boots and hats donated by Bill’s Man Shop, cookies, pies, and other items donated by local vendors.

Additionally, people can buy T-shirts designed by Hernandez’s 8-year-old son, Coda. Her son, Jonah is attempting to come up with his own design as well.

[[{"fid":"14090","view_mode":"preview","type":"media","attributes":{"alt":"Coda Hernandez, 8, created this design for T-shirts to help raise money for his mother's fight against breast cancer. (Contributed Photo\\Pamela Hernandez)","title":"Coda Hernandez, 8, created this design for T-shirts to help raise money for his mother's fight against breast cancer. (Contributed Photo\\Pamela Hernandez)","class":"media-element file-preview imgbody"}}]]
Above: Coda Hernandez, 8, created this design for T-shirts to help raise money for his mother's fight against breast cancer. (Contributed Photo\Pamela Hernandez)

“This kindness is overwhelming,” Hernandez said. Not only is her family and Cooking for Christ providing lots of support during this difficult time, but women who have gone through a similar experience are helping the young mother cope.

“These women who have contacted me are under 40,” she said. “They’re my age or younger, and they’re going through this. All I can say to the women out there is don’t wait until you're 40 to get a mammogram or get checked.”