I am watching outtakes of Will Farrell making Anchor Man. He is brilliant and hilarious. I am Rolling On The Floor Laughing This is good for me. In fact, it’s so good, that if a major pharmaceutical company could charge me 20 bucks a pop for a pill that would do this, they would. But they can’t, because laughter is free.
When I was recovering from cancer, I looked desperately to try to find things that would help me heal. I went to health food stores. I had a list of specialists as long as my arm. I read books on complimentary therapy. But it turns out that one of the best and most accessible things I could do was just make myself laugh.
Laughter has been shown to improve mood, lift depression, improve cardio vascular fitness and increase levels of serotonin (a very beneficial drug that is naturally produced by our bodies) among other nifty things. Many smart people with lots of letters after their names have studied this at places like The Mayo Clinic, Berkeley, The University of Arizona and other institutions
So it turns out that one of the easiest and most empowering things that those of us going through cancer and other health challenges is to watch a remarkably goofy movie or put on our favourite You Tube video of cats playing bagpipes and just laugh. Find any reason to laugh at all. It’s healthy, free and you don’t need a prescription.
I am a huge fan of ELLICSR. A great cancer survivorship centre at Toronto General Hospital. Gifted and talented people write a great blog and you can get to it RIGHT HERE
References (I know right? references! in a blog! What the hell! Look that’s real science down there…)
1. Bennett, M.P., et al., The effect of mirthful laughter on stress and natu4. Sch ral killer cell activity. Altern Ther Health Med, 2003. 9(2): p. 38-45.
2. Berk, L.S., et al., Neuroendocrine and stress hormone changes during mirthful laughter. Am J Med Sci, 1989. 298(6): p. 390-6.
3. Cho, E.A. and H.E. Oh, [Effects of laughter therapy on depression, quality of life, resilience and immune responses in breast cancer survivors]. J Korean Acad Nurs. 41(3): p. 285-93.
I am thrilled to be creating a new workshop that draws on all of my work in the last few years. It has been thrilling to work with so many people and bring together comedy, laughter yoga, meditation and other powerful positive things in order to help people going through cancer. Time and time again, I am shown how forming a community of like minded people can bring about positive change. All of this is coming together in a 3 hour workshop that I am currently devloping called…you guessed it..The Hope Workshop for people affected by cancer.
The Hope Workshop is about acknowledging whereyou are now, celebrating your successes and building a future. In a positive and supportive atmosphere, people affected by cancer laugh, share stories and are given a chance to answer the question ‘What now?” This workshop is in development and will be having its premiere at Gilda’s Club of Greater Toronto on Thursday October 10th. This is a rare opportunity to join with other people affected by cancer, reflect on your journey so far and maybe even have some fun. for more info, please email Rob at robhawke@gmail.com
Robert Hawke is an actor, author and cancer survivor. He wrote the acclaimed book “Kicking Cancer’s Ass: A Lighthearted Guide to the Fight of Your Life” and co-wrote the award winning “NormVsCancer: A Terminally Funny One Man Show”. Robert has been a guest lecturer at The University of Toronto, Ryerson University, Princess Margaret Hospital and UOIT. He loves his work.
An Award Winning Comedic Tour de Force. (If I do say so myself!) I portray a journey into Norm’s body where all the organs come to life including the heart, the kidney, the appendix, the thyroid. Norm must find and kill the cancer before it kills him. This show has tremendous reviews and has been performed in Prague, New York, San Francisco and Toronto. This show works in theatres and has had great impact in a hospital or academic setting. Written by Robert Hawke and Michael Cohen. Directed by Michael Cohen
Adventures In Patient Centred Care
An Educational Presentation for Physicians, Nurses, Medical Students and other Health Care Providers. This piece uses patient stories and a big dose of comedy to inspire working medical professionals and students in the values and practice of Patient Centered Care. A great tool to stimulate discussion on how to implement PCC at a grassroots level. Adventures in Patient Centred Care has been used as curriculum for The University of Toronto Medical School, Ryerson University, Toronto General Hospital and The University of Ontario Institute of Technology.
The Hope Workshop for People Affected by Cancer
The Hope Workshop is about acknowledging where we are now, celebrating our successes and building a future. In a positive and supportive atmosphere, people affected by cancer laugh, share stories and learn techniques to help rebuild their lives.
Dan Abrams did this interview for ELLICSR the amazing cancer survivorship at Princess Margaret Hopsital I am honoured to be part of this tremendous Cancer Survivorship Centre which is part of Princess Margaret Hospital. I am honoured to be part of the team. Check it out.
OK, I must admit I am a bit more than thrilled that my film Ethan’s Story : Hockey Guts and Diabetes, has been featured in OHA Today. This is a publication put out by the Ontario Health Association and goes to over 10,000 health care professionals in the province. Many thanks to Ethan and Donna for being so articulate and awesome. Also shout outs to my very good friend Nadine Cross and of course the remarkably supportive Gail Mitchell. The York/ UHN Nursing Academy is terrific. Also the Centre For Innovation In Complex Care has tons of mojo.
It is my honour to invite you to a performance of Adventures In Patient Centred Care at Princess Margaret Hospital. Adventures In Patient Centred Care is based on my own experiences as a patient. It has been performed for physicians, nurses, allied health, and medical students in universities, healthcare conferences and hospitals. It has been remarkably well-received and leaves participants feeling good about their work and if I may say, a bit inspired. If I don’t make you laugh, I’ll give you five bucks. Promise.
Here are the detes…
Patient Centred Care Rounds
Princess Margaret Hospital (College and University)
Monday, March 18th,
12:30 pm
6th Floor Auditorium,
Here is a quote from a recent performance…
“Your voice and vulnerability brought to life the voices and experiences of the many people we all lay hands on every day. Keep up your wonderful work!”
Joy Richards, RN,PhD, Vice-President Health Professions & CNE University Health Network
Its going to be a bit less than an hour. Love to have you out.
