A Navy veteran who believes ice cream helped him endure testicular cancer treatment is now using it to thank the people who saved his life.
Evan Skarbek and his wife, Holly Myers, are both cancer survivors. The couple owns Stella’s Ice Cream in Gilbert, Arizona. On Thursday, they visited Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center to hand out free scoops to the caretakers who supported them during their medical journeys.
“I like putting smiles on faces,” Skarbek said. “No matter how someone feels when they walk in, they usually leave with a smile.”
Skarbek, who served in the Navy, is now in remission after chemotherapy and radiation. During treatment, he struggled with hair loss and a reduced appetite. Ice cream—especially salted caramel—was one of the few foods he could tolerate.
His oncologist, Dr. Alex Bowman, explained why it helped. Ice cream’s calorie density made it easier for Skarbek to maintain his weight at a time when many patients struggle to eat enough. Bowman added that keeping energy levels steady is an important part of supporting the body during cancer treatment.
Doctors also emphasize that small, manageable habits can help patients cope better—such as staying hydrated, eating frequent light meals, practicing gentle movement like short walks, and seeking emotional support from family or counselors. These habits do not replace medical treatment but can make daily life more comfortable during recovery.
After facing a life-threatening illness, Skarbek and Myers opened their ice cream shop to spread joy in their community. Their happiness grew even more when they learned they are expecting their first child. Doctors had once told Skarbek that fatherhood might not be possible after treatment.
“I couldn’t be more thrilled,” he said. “I didn’t think this was possible, and I’m so grateful.”
Skarbek and Myers say they will continue giving back to the medical community that helped save them—one scoop of ice cream at a time.
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