Sylvester Partners with Comic Cure to Bring Laughter to Patients and Staff

Starting in 2018, Comic Cure, a company that uses the power of laughter to uplift and engage social communities around important causes, will partner with Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center to produce quarterly comedy shows that will be broadcast live to all seven Sylvester locations throughout South Florida.

Second from left, comedian Dexter Angry, with Amer Beitinjaneh, M.D., third from left, and members of the stem cell transplant team who treated him last year.

“I like to say that if laughter is the best medicine, then we are the pharmacy,” said Comic Cure co-founder Benjamin Leis. “As a UM alumnus and former Sylvester patient, I’m thrilled to be able to bring our comedians to Sylvester to entertain those who need laughter the most.”

Psychologist Christina Pozo-Kaderman, Ph.D., Psy.D., Sylvester’s director of clinical operations, agrees. “Humor is such an important part of helping people cope with a cancer diagnosis. Being able to laugh really helps them.”

Patients and staff have been entertained twice thus far by Comic Cure performances. In April, comedian and cancer survivor Dana Eagle from NBC’s Last Comic Standing brought her jokes and newly penned book, How to Be Depressed: A Guide. In October, comedian, cancer survivor, and former Sylvester patient Dexter Angry from BET’s ComicView brought the laughter. Both comedians used humor to discuss their personal cancer journeys.

“I’m happy to be here at Sylvester, and not be admitted [as a patient],” said Angry.

“I know what it is to feel overwhelmed, and I found a way to make jokes about it, which helps me a lot,” said Eagle. “Hopefully it can help others, too.”

Founded in 2015, Comic Cure has helped more than 60 non-profit organizations raise thousands of dollars and recruit hundreds of donors, volunteers and newsletter subscribers through comedy.

Tags: Comic Cure, Miller School of Medicine, Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami