RICHMOND, Va. -- A local restaurant owner donated $1,000 to the American Cancer Society Monday, in honor of her late husband, who died from the disease in 2013.
Angela Whitley, co-founder of Burger Bach in Carytown, presented the check in honor of Michael Ripp, who battled the disease for four years.
Whitley and Ripp opened Burger Bach in February of 2012, as Ripp was battling plasmacytoid urothelial carcinoma, a rare and aggressive form of bladder cancer. Ripp passed away in November of 2013.
After her husband’s death, Whitley said she always wanted to give back and help fight cancer.
“Just from me seeing first hand, things that cancer patients go through, and the families go through, the need for more research and resources, we wanted to do what we could,” said Whitley.
Whitley said she thought today would be the most appropriate day to present the check since today was her husband’s birthday.
Angela Whitley
She said she wants to continue her husband’s commitment to health, nutrition, and building your immune system. Whitley said the life expectancy of her husband's cancer was 18 months, but she thinks his nutrition and positive attitude were major factors in him living for four years after his diagnosis.
“Cancer is just a horrible disease and it doesn’t discriminate who it takes, It doesn’t matter how hard you fight or what kind of life you’ve led, so it’s going to take a lot to figure out a cure.”
