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Gail Simmons Praises "Brave Warrior" Fatima Ali Following Her Terminal Cancer Diagnosis
The Bravo's Top Chef judge is showing her support for the Season 15 contestant.
Bravo's Top Chef judge Gail Simmons is showing her support for Season 15 Fan Favorite winner Fatima Ali following the news that her Ewing's sarcoma, a type of bone and soft tissue cancer, has returned and doctors have given her a year to live.
Gail praised Fatima for not only being a great chef but also a wonderful human being in a heartfelt post on Instagram Wednesday. "This is @cheffati. She's not only an incredible chef, writer and friend, but also a brave warrior and all around outstanding human," Gail shared in the post. "If you watched any of @bravotopchef #Colorado or have ever had the chance to meet her you know what an exceptional sprit she is."
Fatima shared the news of her terminal cancer diagnosis in an essay published on Healthyish on October 9. "The cancer cells my doctors believed had vanished are back with a vengeance in my left hip and femur bone. My oncologist has told me that I have a year to live, with or without the new chemotherapy regimen," she wrote. "I was looking forward to being 30, flirty, and thriving. Guess I have to step it up on the flirting. I have no time to lose."
Gail encouraged her followers to donate to a GoFundMe set up by Bravo's Top Chef Season 15 runner-up Adrienne Cheatham. "Please read the beautiful piece she wrote yesterday in @healthy_ish about her battle with cancer and consider donating to help her live life to the fullest," Gail wrote. "All funds raised go directly to her and anything she doesn't use goes to [the Sarcoma Foundation of America]!"
Fatima has received a lot of love and support from the Bravo's Top Chef family since she was first diagnosed with Ewing's sarcoma last year. In addition to showing her support for the GoFundMe on Twitter, Padma Lakshmi also shared a touching tribute to Fatima on Wednesday. "I am so proud of her. I can tell you that in these months I have not only seen her continue to find her voice, but been inspired by her exponentially," Padma tweeted. "You’ve said on [Bravo's Top Chef] that growing up I inspired you. But Fati, now, it’s you who inspire[s] me. Everyday. I love you, [Fatima]."
Padma opened up more about Fatima's cancer battle when she appeared on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen in February, which you can view, below.
