The last thing most people think about while visiting someone in the hospital is humor. But Humor Heals, a non-profit program that brings live stand-up comedy to cancer patients in hospitals throughout Chicagoland, has a different philosophy.
"We don't require a two-drink minimum -- instead, it's a two-chemo minimum," cracks Peggi Terzakis, Northwestern Memorial volunteer and professional comedienne, as she performs for cancer patient Diane Neary and Neary's sister, Marie Tomiello.
"You can't laugh and worry at the same time," says Terzakis, known on the comedy club circuit as "Peggi T."
This energetic woman has a personality that ricochets around the room, and she understands the power of laughter. Her mother, Vicki Terzakis, was a cancer patient at Northwestern Memorial, and Terzakis kept her positive by making her laugh. "Laughing made my mom feel better! She believed she would be well, and that made a significant difference in the quality of her life," says Terzakis.
Although she survived breast and lung cancer, Vicki Terzakis' battle ended when she died of brain cancer in 1991. While grieving the loss of her mother, Terzakis recalled the qualities that made her mother special.
"My mother was a remarkably strong woman. She always used to say, 'You must want to survive. You must fight to live!' I feel compelled, as her daughter, to continue delivering her message," says Terzakis.
In early 1995, Terzakis started bringing back the laughter by launching Humor Heals, which made its debut at Northwestern Memorial. She and other comedians now perform each Wednesday evening for cancer patients on Wesley's 14th floor cancer unit.
"Many patients are understandably depressed," says Steve Rosen, MD, director of cancer programs at Northwestern Memorial and chairman of Northwestern University's Robert Lurie Cancer center. "Laughter helps alleviate depression -- it makes patients feel better. There is no doubt that laughter has a healthy impact on patient's quality of life."
"Peggi goes where angels fear to tread," says Marilyn Mulay, clinical nurse manager at 14 East Wesley. "Many people see the cancer unit as a solemn and sad place. But this is a place filled with cancer survivors, and Peggi treats them as survivors.
" Sometimes I can hear the roar of laughter all the way down the hall!"
From Lerner Skyline newspaper October 10th, 1996
A. I am an official volunteer for the hospital, and I started the Humor Heals program on the oncology floor, where we debuted a year ago, and have been doing it every Wednesday since. We purposely schedule to go out during dinner - we're like a Las Vegas dinner package.
A. I chose the oncology floor for personal reasons. My mom passed away five years ago, and she was a patient on the floor. It's an exceptional floor. I've been to other floors, but it didn't give me the same feeling of appreciation for the effort I put forth to make people laugh. We go there because it brings humor to people who need it most, people who need to laugh today, not tomorrow.
A. We have a list of 30 Chicago-based comedians, but not all of them have passed through the oncology floor, yet. Sometimes I go alone, but when I invite other comedians to join me, we kind of co-headline the performance. I open and announce them, or they follow me. They have to be professional comedians to perform, because we can't afford to have people come in and rehearse during such a special time in someone's life. I want success from people who know their material works. We don't want to be an intrusion, and we don't want patients to say, 'You know, I don't think
A. When they get over the surprise of someone knocking on the door and seeing a professional talent who's there to entertain them, they usually open up to the experience and are so receptive. It's a true pleasure to perform for each patient; I turn down the television, turn on the lights and close the door. To keep their interest I do exactly what I do on stage. I project my voice, make eye contact walk around. It's like Ed McMahon is in the next room looking for the next "Star Search" contestant.
A. Yes. Sometimes it's not an appropriate time for me to perform, and I'll always mrish them a speedy recovery and say I hope they'll catch me at another time; like at a comedy club. I'll offer to fill their water pitcher or see if I can help some other way. I don't walk out without showing some form of good will.
A. I do both, as a matter of fact I've been able to write material specifically for cancer patients- For example, instead of saying there's a two drink minimum, such as in a night club, I'll say, 'Humor Heals only require, a two chemo minimum' and they laugh. Or I'll refer to their IV as their new friend, 'Ivey.' They love that.
It's so special for me to create a memory for a family, for them to see their loved one genuinely laugh during a time when there may not be room for laughter. That's the magic, when the laughter is so unexpected but so well received. A cancer patient's husband followed me out of the room after one performance and said, 'I don't want to get choked up, but that was the first time in weeks that my wife laughed, and you're an angel for that' He left me in tears. I just want to shout from rooftops that volunteering can make a profound difference in your life.
A. During the day I am a motivational speaker for a Chicago-based consulting firm.
A. I think it's natural to feel a little nervous when on stage at a club, because with a large audience there are so many dynamics happening that can affect your success. Like the audience didn't get their drinks on time, or the opening act forgets your name, or some other aspects of service that are outside of my control. But in a patient's room, I've never felt more in control or confident about my ability to make people laugh. I'm thrilled when patients let me perform, because I know I can lift their spirits with humor.
A. For one, it can raise there blood-count levels, which has to be high for them to be healthy.
A. The most profound thing ever told to me was to count your blessings and not compare your life to other people. I think you should look to yourself and fill your own tank first. that way you can have more to offer other people. I can't emphasize enough that volunteering is the wave of the future - if you have anything to offer, it's in the way of volunteering.
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