Culinary Arts Scholarship to Culinary Institute of Virginia Awarded to Child Cancer Survivor

About a year ago, Abby Furco was given less than 48 hours to live.

Years earlier, the Virginia Beach girl was diagnosed with a rare form of Leukemia at age four. She spent the better part of a year undergoing an experimental treatment in Chicago, and managed to go into remission only to relapse a few years later.

Miraculously, Abby’s doctors found a bone marrow donor in Germany that was a perfect match, however complications associated with the treatment left her near death. Somehow – and doctors really can’t explain why – she was able to fight back. A year later, she is still fighting. Throughout her ordeal, one thing has helped calm her. One thing has helped her focus on something other than her disease: her love of cooking.

“Abby has become a food lover and aspires to be a chef after watching Food Network over the years since her cancer relapsed,” says her mom, Patty. “Abby was limited to bed for months at a time, several times, over these past three years. Food Network was something she could listen to, and it always interested her. Even on bed rest, she'd watch and listen. Abby was drawn to several of the personalities, and the competition cooking shows. Abby has learned so much about food, preparing food, and describing food. It has been fun to watch.”

When the creative team at video production company Studio Center learned about Abby’s dream, they decided they might be able to help her make it come true. The created a set for a show called “Abby’s Kitchen,” where Abby could actually be the host of her own show. They’re even pitching the idea to the Food Network.

There was just one thing missing, and that’s how Culinary Institute of Virginia (CIV) becomes a part of this story. It’s a safe bet that there are very few 10-year olds who know as much about cooking as Abby. She’s already an expert in baking carrot cakes! Still, she will need formal training to reach her ultimate goal.

That’s why CIV, ECPI University’s College of Culinary Arts, has given her a full scholarship to attend culinary school once she graduates from high school. When Abby came to Studio Center to film her 30-minute TV show, CIV alumnus and faculty member Brandon Morrison was there to present her with the scholarship, much to Abby’s surprise.

“In addition to meeting Abby, who is an amazingly sharp and pleasant little girl, the highlight of my day was when leaving to say goodbye, I stopped by Abby’s Greenroom to see her reading the book we gave her:  Letters to a Young Chef, written by one of the most prominent chefs of our time, Daniel Boulud,” says CIV Campus President Andy Gladstein. “We hoped Abby would find enjoyment and inspiration within these pages, and it appears she did! We are excited to see her recovering and look forward to having her as a student several years down the road.”

Do you have a passion for cooking? If you’re interested in earning an Associates of Applied Science degree in Culinary Arts, ECPI University’s Culinary Institute of Virginia offers this program at an accelerated rate. For more information on this exciting degree program, connect with an admissions counselor today.

It could be the Best Decision You Ever Make!

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