When Ali was 4-years-old, he survived Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. In the summer before his Junior year of High School, he began complaining about recurring pain in his right shoulder. He was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma and his scapula and part of his clavicle were removed. Ali then began a brutal 10 month chemotherapy treatment.

In the hospital, his mother, Lt. Colonel Jen Danko, never left his side. Over the course of the treatment, Jen and Ali became obsessed with food shows and documentaries. Especially inspired by Anthony Bourdain’s No Reservations, Ali and Jen planned a culinary journey across America with possible restaurants in every state. Jen launched a successful GoFundMe campaign for their trip, meeting their goal with the final donation coming from Anthony Bourdain himself.

With a clean bill of health, Ali left the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center ready to eat and see the world. Ali and Jen were stunned at the openness and human kindness they received from the food community. They traveled the country, trying all manner of cuisine and meeting chefs (such as José Andrés and Wolfgang Puck) along the way.

Ali’s Family:
Ali’s family are an indispensable part of his story and recovery.

Jen and Tony Danko met and married while both serving in the US Army. The Allouche-Danko family are a true “Brady Bunch” union-- a blended, modern American family, each parent bringing three kids to the mix.

When Ali was diagnosed, feeling sorry for himself was never an option. The family’s toughness and sense of humor would not allow it. Finding laughter in the darkest of times, the Allouche-Dankos rallied together, supporting Ali’s recovery and one another.