Back by popular demand in 2019 is Perth-based wholesale business Ready Chef Go. For the past 12 years the team have been gracing us with their  presence… and preserves. From sauces to smallgoods, dairy to drinks.

This year owners George and Gabriel decided to move a step closer to their family-oriented values and reached out to long-term, former employee, Kate Bettenay.

Kate, mother of 6 year old Hunter, made the decision to leave the team at Ready Chef Go almost 5 years ago to focus on her own family – but things took a turn in a different direction.

We recently spoke to Kate to hear a little more about her journey and her son Hunter’s story.

“On the 6th of November 2016 Hunter was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia at just 3 years old. He endured 5 rounds of Chemotherapy over 22 months. During which he spent huge amounts of time at Princess Margaret Hospital. His initial treatment caused him to loose the ability to walk for the first months, developed Diabetes, loose all his hair, gain large amounts of weight and spend months in isolation dues to poor immunity. Unfortunately during his final round of maintenance Chemotherapy, Hunter Leukaemia returned in September 2018. Hunter underwent a further 3 rounds of chemotherapy and immunotherapy to get him back into remission and in January of this year received a life saving Bone Marrow Transplant from an unrelated international donor.

Hunter underwent total body irradiation and conditioning Chemotherapy to totally eliminate his old immune system and to prepare his tiny body for his new cells. During transplant Hunter spent his entire time in an isolation room at Perth Children’s Hospital, with the only people allowed into his room being his mum, Kate, Dad, Dave and the doctors. Zac, Hunters younger brother was not allowed to enter the room for fear of contaminating Hunters depleted immune system.

Hunter was fed through a feeding tube as the ulcers extended from his stomach to his throat. He became very unwell from all the medications and side effects from the transplant. He also became extremely weak from not being able to get out bed.

After 5 weeks Hunter was able to walk out of his isolation room weak and skinny. He spent the next 5 months recovering at home in isolation. Thankfully, so far the transplant is looking like a complete success and after 10 months away from school, Hunter started year 1 in July. He is growing stronger every day and and continues to amaze us with his positivity and resilience.

This journey has taken almost 3 years and lasted half of my poor boys life. We pray this will be our new beginning and Hunty will be able to enjoy a childhood that he has missed so much of.”

Earlier this year George and Gabriel contacted Kate to let her know they had been closely following Hunter’s touching story and wanted to do something special for him. The duo decided to dedicate this years appearance at the Good Food & Wine Show to Hunter.

Drop by the Ready Chef Go stand and order a chicken schnitzel burger and go into the draw to win prizes knowing your purchase proceeds are going to help Hunter.

Kate will be at the show all weekend to chat with visitors about her and Hunter’s story, including the importance of joining the Bone Marrow Registry – as this is the only reason her beautiful son had had a second chance of life.

I think most would agree this this is the most guilt-free burger you’ll ever eat.

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