Founder of The ComedyCures Foundation, Saranne Rothberg transformed her personal stage 4 cancer battle into a global mission, bringing therapeutic comedy to those grappling with illnesses, trauma, and depression. From her chemo chair, she birthed an organization that’s delivered interactive comedy programs to over a million individuals. With a commitment to digital outreach and live events, Saranne ensures those of all financial capacities receive healing through humor. Ninety to 94 percent of the funds raised by ComedyCures directly support its programs, a testament to her unwavering dedication. As a keynote speaker, advocate, and podcaster, Saranne spreads a message of hope rooted in the power of laughter through medical seminars, corporate workshops, and beyond.
Below is an edited transcript of the conversation Saranne and I had about her experience, as well as the ins and outs of the ComedyCures program.
- Can you share more about the ComedyCures program? How does it work, and how has it helped people in their healing journey?
ComedyCures is a passion project that started from my own personal journey with stage 4 cancer. When I was diagnosed, I wanted to bring joy, laughter, and therapeutic entertainment into my healing process. This wish manifested into stand-up comedy shows from my chemotherapy chair, and from that simple seed of defiance against my illness, ComedyCures was ultimately born. Our mission at ComedyCures is to bring therapeutic comedy to those who need it most—whether it’s for those dealing with illness, trauma, depression, disabilities, or any other life challenge. We believe in the healing power of laughter.
Over the past 24 years, we’ve touched over a million people worldwide. From our 365-day podcast, and live Laughter Summit, interactive comedic web performances, to our live LaughingLunch series, and the hospital comedy events we’ve hosted, the objective remains consistent—to offer people an escape, a chance to laugh and learn, build community … and more than anything, an opportunity to heal. After six months, our Beating Cancer Daily podcast has listeners in 35 countries.
Research has consistently shown the therapeutic benefits of laughter. Our recent study shows that in just eight weeks of using the humor techniques we advocate at ComedyCures, we saw a significant reduction in depression by over 18%, a 10% decrease in anxiety, and an 8% increase in feelings of self-empowerment. This research showcases the profound impact that humor, when integrated as a therapeutic tool, can have on individuals. We have shown this effect live, on Zoom, and via a mental health app as well.
ComedyCures isn’t just about cracking jokes; it’s about creating a community of support, understanding, and shared resilience. Our programs are meticulously designed to be both entertaining and therapeutic. And the feedback we’ve received over the years is a testament to their effectiveness. People have shared stories of feeling lighter, more hopeful, and perhaps most importantly, not alone in their journey (be it with illness, or any other life challenge).
ComedyCures operates at the intersection of humor and therapeutic science. We’ve witnessed firsthand the transformative power of laughter and the immense value it adds to the healing journey of countless individuals. Every chuckle, giggle, and hearty laugh we hear is a testament to the program’s impact and its ability to bring light to even the darkest of times.
- Can you share a personal story where comedy and laughter have profoundly impacted someone’s healing journey?
Most recently, a convent specifically designated for infirm nuns reached out for a live ComedyCures program to help restore hope, joy, and vitality among the sisters. Another experience is Missy Hall, a supportive comedian from Delaware, who performed for a ComedyCures program before the pandemic. A few months ago, she called me to reveal her recent breast cancer diagnosis. Despite always valuing charity work and programs with ComedyCures, her new situation brought a deeper resonance from her core to the work I do. In an act of support, I proposed a real-time podcast discussion on her journey, to which she agreed. Over 12 episodes, we’ve followed her as she wrestled with intimacy after feeling like a stranger in her own body, as she tried to process her trauma while simultaneously going back on stage merely days post-surgery.
She strikes a delicate balance between performing for livelihood and using her comedic perspective to process and support those around her. If you go to the podcast Beating Cancer Daily webpage and search for “Missy Hall,” you’ll find these episodes where comedy is interwoven with trauma. They’re an authentic expression of resilience, vulnerability, and hope.
I’ve always believed in the healing power of laughter. When I was diagnosed with cancer, I had suspected it for six years, going through 11 doctors during that period. However, all these initial doctors missed the cancer. When finally diagnosed, sure enough, it was what I had suspected all along.
Going through cancer treatment, I recalled Norman Cousins and his book, “Anatomy of an Illness.” He used laughter to combat a rare nerve disease. Inspired, I rented every stand-up comedy tape I could find, hoping it might help me with my breast cancer, just as it did for Norman with his illness.
For my first chemo treatment, I threw a “chemo comedy party” for my fellow patients, their caregivers, and the medical staff. As we sat in our chemo chairs watching comedy, the nurses administered to me what they refer to as the “Red Devil” treatment. I was told it would be particularly tough, that it would cause severe nausea and make me incredibly sick. But amid this brutal treatment, I had an unexpected revelation: laughter could be our medicine! In a room where we should have been crying, we were laughing, and it felt like a powerful defiance against an illness that sought to bring us down.
That night after the revelation, while I was hugging my trash can and battling the nausea from the treatment, I was also fervently writing down the entire vision for The ComedyCures Foundation. It was like a floodgate had opened up, and every experience, every encounter in my life up to that point was rushing in to show me how it had all been leading up to this moment.
As a young girl, my heart was always driven toward charity. There I was, just six years old, enthusiastically raising money for causes close to my heart. Who could have known that this early passion was setting the stage for something bigger? And my stints as a journalist, an actress, a model? They weren’t just careers; they were training grounds, honing skills I didn’t even know I would later need for The ComedyCures Foundation.
You know, when I looked at my life before that moment, it felt like I was looking at the night sky with random stars scattered about. But after this revelation, it was like seeing the constellations for the first time—everything connected. The early charity work, my experience as a young journalist in California, the experience I gained at Dick Clark Productions scouting comics—it was like every dot in my life was now connected, forming this beautiful image of what I was meant to do.
Why was I placed in a minority school as one of the six Caucasian kids? Why did I start modeling at four? Why was I passionate about raising money for charities at such a young age? And even my early birth, being born at 28 weeks, being a fighter from the very start—all these experiences felt like pieces of a puzzle that only now made sense.
Remembering my time at Dick Clark Productions, it dawned on me: this was training! Scouting comedians, understanding what makes people laugh, and bringing humor to the masses—it was all prepping me for what I now envisioned—bringing therapeutic comedy right into the very trenches of treatment.
And so, after that monumental deep revelation, I decided to launch the foundation. The clarity of the vision was so profound! I could already see it: a hotline with the number 1-888-HAHAHAHA to bring comedic relief to those who needed it the most. The mission wasn’t just about comedy, either; it was also about redefining the cancer experience. It was about ensuring that patients, caregivers, and medical teams could find joy amidst the battle, and that we could laugh in the face of adversity.
Back then, people might’ve thought I was crazy, especially after that moment in the chemo room at my first chemo comedy party when I shot up and declared my vision. But you know, when you see something so clearly, when every fiber of your being tells you this is your path, you don’t question it. You embrace it, wholeheartedly.
Since that day, 24 years have passed, and every step has been in service to that vision I scribbled on a legal pad. The ComedyCures Foundation isn’t just an organization; it’s the culmination of my life’s experiences, lessons, and love for comedy, laughter, and play. And it’s a testament to the fact that even in our darkest hours, laughter can be the light that guides us through.
- What advice would you give someone currently going through a tough time and finding it difficult to see the humorous side of life?
Over the past 24 years, I’ve been working with individuals, helping them utilize laughter, humor, play, and comedy to not only cope with illness, trauma, depression, disabilities, and various life challenges but to thrive. The research and teachings I’ve been a part of have shown me that even amidst the gravest circumstances, one can find and integrate joy and humor into one’s life. For instance, the Mindset and Metastatic Cancer Research Study (the results of which I referenced earlier) aimed to understand if we could enhance mental health for women living with advanced cancer (stages 3 and 4) over an eight-week period, using the humor techniques I teach. Again, the results were astounding—even amidst a pandemic, we were able to reduce depression by over 18%, reduce stress by over 15%, lower anxiety by 10%, and boost feelings of self-empowerment by 8%.
This shows the power of humor, especially when you use the right strategies. So, my advice is multi-faceted: Start by envisioning a life beyond your current trouble. Visualization is more than a buzzword; it’s a tool that can help you see past immediate hardships and work toward a brighter future. One of the episodes of my Beating Cancer Daily podcast, titled “20/20 Cancer-Free Vision,” provides a blueprint for this approach. It doesn’t matter what your current struggle is, whether it’s physical, spiritual, or a dream you wish to achieve; beginning with visualization opens a channel for other tools to take effect. And remember, while not all strategies might resonate immediately, with time, as you grow and evolve, you can revisit and find value in teachings you might’ve overlooked initially.
Furthermore, be proactive in your pursuit of wellness, mental freedom, joy, and even, fun. Take part in daily practices that reinforce positivity, resilience, and humor. My podcast was created as an answer to the request of participants who wanted daily reminders, strategies, tips, and discussions on how to have the best quality day—leading to a better quality of life. And while we make no claims about medical healing, the tools we discuss are invaluable for anyone wishing to bring more joy into their life. It’s not just about laughter, either; it’s about actively seeking ways to uplift oneself, even finding the humor in the most unexpected places. For some listeners, this even extends to expressing themselves through comedy and sharing their comedic perspectives on a stage.
While life will inevitably have its tough moments—adopting a comic perspective, being open to learning new strategies, and actively seeking joy can be transformative. Remember, every day presents an opportunity to incorporate a bit more joy, resilience, hope, and laughter into your life.
- How has the response been from the medical community, and do you collaborate with healthcare professionals to integrate comedy into therapy? Can you share any memorable experiences or feedback from patients or healthcare professionals participating in your programs?
The response from the medical community has been overwhelmingly validating. This affirmation was particularly felt when I was invited to the world’s most prestigious oncological research convention. To give you some perspective, Sloan Kettering, MD Anderson, and the NIH (National Institutes of Health) present abstracts at this convention. I was introduced as a cancer researcher and patient advocate to 12,000 people from the oncology research community, standing alongside Nobel laureates. It was a profound moment to be acknowledged and supported in this unique way as a survivor-scientist.
Our Mindset and Metastatic Cancer Research Study garnered significant attention, getting picked up by hundreds of media organizations worldwide, which brought the concept of positivity, humor, laughter, and play in the wellness model to hundreds of millions of people. This full circle moment, from being a patient to influencing science and scientists, has been a pivotal part of my journey. Another validation was when one of the leading PR, marketing, and advertising firms shared that I was ranked alongside figures like Dr. Sanjay Gupta in their research on influential people in wellness. This was remarkable, considering I run a small nonprofit without a PR firm.
One significant collaboration was when I contributed my research and story to “Radical Remission” by Dr. Kelly Turner. The book became an instant success, and we went on to do a documentary together. Furthermore, I’ve been invited to institutions like Stanford and Harvard, and even to agencies like the NIH and the FDA. I’ve shared these strategies not just within the realm of cancer, but also with organizations and individuals dealing with various types of trauma, including helping at Ground Zero after the 9/11 tragedies, and with the United States Marines returning from active deployment, as well as many aging veterans.
Continuously inspiring are the feedback and stories from individuals. I’ve been approached by many for support, from patients discovering the power of positivity in their healing journey to professionals wanting to incorporate these strategies in a work setting. A memory from my work at Ground Zero that is etched in my mind is, amidst the immense tragedy during the days following, a volunteer had placed a daily humorous riddle at the relief workers respite center—it showcased that even in the darkest moments, there’s a ray of hope, which is a testament to the therapeutic power of humor.
From conventions to hospitals, from media to private feedback, the embrace of humor and laughter as a form of therapy and well-being has been exceptionally well-received. It’s a testament to the idea that joy and laughter have an indispensable place, even when we are faced with adversity.
- How can someone get involved or support the work of The ComedyCures Foundation?
If someone is looking to get involved or support the work of The ComedyCures Foundation, there are various ways they can do so:
- Financial Support: The primary way people can help is through monetary donations. The funds assist in maintaining the daily podcast, developing more digital material, and ensuring outreach is not limited to just live events. We are thankful for any grants, sponsorships, and personal donations. An impressive aspect of The ComedyCures Foundation is that between 90 and 94 percent of all the funds we receive go directly to our programs, a notably high rate for charitable organizations. I do not take a personal salary for my work. Donations can be made directly on the website at ComedyCures.org.
- Or Via Mail: The Comedy Cures Foundation: 122 East Clinton Avenue, Tenafly, NJ 07670.
- Research Grants: Individuals or institutions can provide grants to expand the foundation’s research platform. The foundation ensures that these grants significantly impact all socioeconomic groups and resonate with any donor interests.
- Engaging with the Podcast and LaughLine: People can tune into the podcast and call the LaughLine at 1-888-HAHAHAHA (1-888-424-2424). We welcome everyone to record your jokes, which might get featured on the platform. Press 1 to hear a pro comic, 2 to hear an amateur, or 3 to tell us a joke.
- Hiring the Foundation for Events: Corporations, medical centers, and other institutions can hire ComedyCures Foundation for keynotes or programs featuring comedians. The foundation has access to top-tier comedians happy to perform at affordable rates. Hiring through ComedyCures is not only beneficial for the event, but also supports the foundation since part of the funds go back to support the organization.
- Collaboration: The foundation is open to collaborating with other entities. Whether it’s a medical entity, a corporation dealing with mental health issues, a nonprofit, or even the military, we are enthusiastic about joint ventures. Collaborating entities also receive recognition for their support, ensuring their contributions have ripple effects in the community. Anyone interested can email me at SaranneR[at]ComedyCures.org.
I’ll end by saying The ComedyCures Foundation is deeply committed to its mission, and we value every form of support (even if that’s simply signing up for our newsletter). We ensure that donations are used effectively and support our ultimate goal of spreading the gift of laughter—to ultimately help as many people as possible.