Turkish deputy sends Angelina Jolie Malatya apricots as a post-surgery gift

ANKARA

US actress and director Angelina Jolie had a preventive double mastectomy after learning that she carried a gene that made it extremely likely she would get breast cancer. AP photo

The Malatya deputy of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), Ömer Faruk Öz, has sent apricots - a specialty of the Malatya region - to Hollywood actress Angelina Jolie, along with his wishes that Jolie will get well soon after her mastectomy surgery.

The actress, who is a goodwill ambassador for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, recently underwent a double mastectomy to minimize the risk of breast cancer due to a "faulty" gene, BRCA1, that she inherited from her mother.

Öz announced on May 21 that he had sent apricots to Jolie because of apricots' proven impact on lowering the risk of many health problems including cancer, liver failure and heart attacks.

"I have sent Malatya apricots to our consulate general in Los Angeles in order for them to be delivered to Angelina Jolie, who is a goodwill ambassador for the U.N. alongside her artistic activities, wishing for her recovery. I would also like to take this opportunity to remind people of the importance of consuming vegetables and fruits for a healthy lifestyle," Öz said.