Jungle stars at the stove

The jungle camp is probably one of the last places for haute cuisine – this year’s German edition of the celebrity camp was a representative example. Whereas rice and beans were basic ingredients on the menu in the Australian jungle, the “Perfect Celebrity Dinner” is all about spoiling the guests with extravagant dishes.

On the 29th of March Vox broadcasted the four jungle veterans Tanja Tischewitsch, Rebecca Siemoneit-Barum, Aurelio Savina and Walter Freiwald in its series, all desperate to win the cooking contest in order to collect 5.000€ for charity. This time Aurelio Savina and Walter Freiwald shared the prize money, as they both turned out to be ranked first. Freiwald, formerly known as the funny host of the German TV show “The Price is Right” and then attracted many jungle viewers in with his love for puns, showed that he is good at heart at the latest. With the cooking contest trophy money he is supporting the Deutsche Hirntumorhilfe, to help us support suffering  patients and their families.

The motivation boosting the 60-year-old is of very personal nature, as his wife Annette was diagnosed with a brain tumour in 2012. Exhausting therapies were to follow, accompanied by a growing helplessness. As the couple states, the Deutsche Hirntumorhilfe was essential for them and their two grown-up sons, making  it easier to cope with the disease. “The time following the surgery was lonesome and tough. The Deutsche Hirntumorhilfe and the internet forum, run by the association, were important places to look for information and assistance. To know that there are others who have to fight with similar problems is a source of strength”, remembers Walter Freiwald.

Sometimes his wife Annette still has trouble finding her way back to life, she even had to learn how to talk again. Although the tumour could be removed during an operation, she still suffers from the consequences – she has to walk with a cane and nothing is like it used to be. Moreover she still has to undergo regular check-ups, always having a possible tumour growth on her mind. But the family sticks together and Walter supports his wife with love and patience. None of them allow the hard diagnosis to pull them down.

It is therefore of their particular concern to draw attention to the disease, to raise understanding for the people affected and to help other patients and their families. Consequently the Deutsche Hirntumorhilfe is a matter very close to their heart.”Knowing about the disease is very important for recovery. The dialogue with other patients in the forum and reading articles were helping me a lot. It is where I always find new impulses for my everyday life battles”, says Annette.

Together with the Deutsche Hirntumorhilfe Walter Freiwald and his wife are committed to improve the situation of the people affected by brain tumour: Most brain tumours are still not curable, the money invested into scientific research is not enough, many patients are not sufficiently informed about therapies and treatments and neither is the broad public. Walter Freiwald wants to change that and his donation to the Deutsche Hirntumorhilfe is an important contribution.