Kristi Martin, owner and founder of local food tour group FEAST Food Tours, was diagnosed with leukemia this winter. She’s since had to step away from day-to-day operations of the company as she went through chemotherapy and fought the illness, but recently, she got some good news.

“Officially in remission,” she shares. She learned she was in remission at the end of February.

That doesn’t mean her fight is over, however. Her specific mutation, Acute Myeloid Leukemia, is one that often returns. So over the next six months, she’ll undergo another round of treatment to try and prevent it from coming back.

That treatment includes a blood stem cell transplant, helping to replace Martin’s bone marrow with healthier marrow that can fight off the mutated cells. After finding three matches and realizing all three had complications, a fourth, usable match presented itself.

She returns to the hospital in early April to start four intense days of chemo followed by the transfusion. She’ll remain in the hospital for a month, then require constant supervision for several more months.

Martin’s diagnosis united the food community in support of her, with the Piedmont Culinary Guild starting a meal train and FEAST partners such as NoDa Company Store holding fundraisers.

“That was amazing, that’s probably been one of the most amazing things, just watching the support system blossom and I guess, to a point where I could see it and it’s humbling, really,” Martin says.

Colleagues from her previous career as a wedding planner are also supporting their friend with a fundraiser on March 25 at The Morehead Inn. A $15 door price includes hors d’oeuvres, entertainment, and silent and live auctions. If you wish to attend, RSVP by Friday. Get more information on that event here.

We’re thrilled to hear Kristi is on a path back to health, and can’t wait to see her on a tour again soon. —Kristen Wile

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