Chef Johann Lafer battles lymph node cancer, aims for Everest base‑camp trek

Johann Lafer, the 68‑year‑old Austrian‑born German TV chef, disclosed that he is undergoing chemotherapy for lymph node cancer (lymphoma). He first revealed the diagnosis in May after it was detected during a routine check‑up two and a half years earlier. Since the start of the year he has been receiving treatment and reports that the chemotherapy is reducing the number of affected lymph nodes, though doctors say the disease is not curable and has spread throughout his body. Lafer said, “Ich habe Metastasen im ganzen Körper, da ist alles schwarz.” He added that the prognosis varies, with some patients surviving only a year and others living many more.

The ongoing heat wave, with temperatures around 40 °C, is worsening his condition, as he told reporters: “Die Hitze macht mir zu schaffen.” Despite these challenges, Lafer remains hopeful, supported by family and friends, and plans to resume his culinary work after the heat subsides. He also expressed a personal dream of visiting the Everest base camp, stating, “Ich würde gerne das Basislager des Mount Everest im Himalaya besuchen.”