Chef "Wawi's" Fight Against Cancer

My name is Gregorio Lake aka “Wawi” from the island of Aruba where I moved from there in 1997. I left my Mother, Father and siblings behind to pursue a brighter future for myself and my Family. I arrived in America and absolutely love this country! It has been the best experience of my life. I’ve lived in many places including New Hampshire (where I graduated from The Atlantic Culinary Academy), Massachusetts, New York, Virginia and finally made my home in the Tampa Bay area.

A little bit about me: Cooking is one of my passions, I became a chef graduate from Atlantic Culinary Academy in New Hampshire many years ago. I am proud to have Tampa Bay home to my livelihood in the culinary arts where I have cooked for many people including the Tampa Bay Rays and more.



I’ve created this GoFundMe to bring awareness to the awful disease known as cancer and a solution to a problem I am currently facing where I do not know how to get out of. I have beat cancer before! Originally being diagnosed with lymphoma on my 37th birthday. During my first experience with this awful illness I was sent to several doctors and hospitals and took part in lymphoma research programs. Not carrying medical insurance I thank God that I was able to beat this disease then and continue on with my life and passions after being released with nothing to my name. From there I went from living on the streets to the Salvation Army for 9 months until I was finally able to get back on my feet.

However, there is the resurfacing of bad news as I tear up writing you that cancer has resurfaced in my life. On March 16th 2019 I was diagnosed with leukemia cancer. For those of you that don’t know much about leukemia, there’s really nothing you can do to prevent it. It’s cancer of your blood cells caused by a rise in the number of white blood cells in your body. They crowd out the red blood cells and platelets your body needs to be healthy. There are two main types of white blood cells in your body: lymphoid cells and myeloid cells. Leukemia can happen in either type.

While no one really knows what causes leukemia, I am determined yet again to beat this awful disease! Wawi does not give up! My craft in cooking for many in Tampa Bay has brought great joy in my life. However, it is not a profession which regularly provides medical insurance to it’s professionals. This has left me yet again, struggling so hard to find success in my situation to:

1. Seek treatment, get healthy
2. Get back to my passion of feeding Tampa Bay in the Culinary Arts.

I plead and pray for help and to those that can relate having been near cancerous diseases in friends and family. You may know what this is like. Seeking treatment has cost me everything including all of my possessions while I am still fighting for my health, travelling from hospital to hospital to no avail and limited support.


My Family has changed over the years in my pursuit of life, love and happiness here in America. My Mother passed away in 2016 and my Family is not equipped to handle the burden I am faced with as they count on me here.

Your donation will contribute to the two following needs in my pursuit of life here and after:

- Medication
- Shelter, clothing and food

Upon being released from the hospital, I will be starting from scratch all over again. Right now I am in good spirits as there is no other way that I can be. I have confidence in myself and in you reading this to work with me to get back to feeding the wonderful people in Tampa Bay and regaining my life as a productive member in our beautiful community. We are so lucky to have each other and this amazing ability to come together. I hope to soon be with you smiling and laughing together.

Peace, love and happiness to all!