Sips & Bites

Why a cookbook?

It all started 50 years ago over lunch around their dining room tables, when a small number of women organized to take an active role in the fight against cancer. A few of them had recently left volunteer posts at other cancer-fundraising programs after realizing that most of the money they worked so hard to raise went to high administrative costs and far less actually made it to the people who needed it.

This group of renegade women wanted to make sure that the money they raised went directly into the hands of those who needed it the most - cancer patients, doctors and researchers, all in the Bay Area community. And in 1973, The Cancer League was formed.

Soon after, this small league of women discovered that one of their secret money-raising weapons was hosting parties, serving delicious food, and building a community of donors that shared in their dream of fighting this dreaded disease that had touched so many of their lives. Invitations to their friends went out and events were catered in their own kitchens, hosted in their own homes, and soon the reputation of the delicious food, great entertainment and friendships in the community grew. And so did The Cancer League’s fundraising footprint. 

This Sips & Bites Cookbook honors those women who broke ground to form and grow The Cancer League to what it is now 50 years strong. We have learned a lot over these 50 years. We’ve funded research that has led to breakthroughs. We understand how food can play an important role in cancer prevention and treatment. As we’ve learned more, and as membership has grown, so has the collection of recipes, ranging from tried and true honored “staples” to host any good party.

In the spirit of the founders, 100% of the profit of this cookbook will go directly to the local cancer community of patients, researchers and doctors.