Sunrise Social offering support for Big Rube as he fights cancer

ByTimothy Walton WPVI logo
Tuesday, February 17, 2026
Sunrise Social offering support for Big Rube as he fights cancer

Sunrise Social is serving a special dish to honor Reuben "Big Rube" Harley. The Sunrise Surf 'n Turf will be on the menu through February with portions of the proceeds going to help Rube through a serious health crisis.

Big Rube was diagnosed with heart failure, kidney failure and prostate cancer after a 6-week stay in the hospital. He is currently going through dialysis for his kidneys and radiation to treat the cancer. He spends 5 days a week at the hospital.

Big Rube was an influencer long before influencers became a career. He was the marketing mastermind that made Mitchell & Ness a hip hop essential. He's been a columnist for the Daily News, a fashion designer and a photographer.

His latest act has been as Chef Big Rube where he's become a staple of Philadelphia's culinary scene as a business owner, caterer and creator. That's how he met Aaron Anderson, founder of Sunrise Social. They were business partners running ghost kitchens after the pandemic.

Now they are partnering on a new venture, helping Rube regain his health and getting him back in the kitchen.

Chef Big Rube | Instagram | Support
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