Comics Kick Cancer to the Curb with The 'C' Word

Martha Chaves , Sandra Shamas part of talented line-up for comedy fundraiser

TORONTO , Dec. 15 /CNW/ - The 'C' word. Some people cringe when they hear it. Others cover their ears. And there are those who are absolutely horrified by the mere mention of it. Yes, we're talking about cancer. But on January 19, 2010 , a Toronto comic and her female cohorts want to make the 'C' word stand for something else: Courage. Creativity. And most of all: Comedy.

The 'C' Word, a benefit for Gilda's Club Greater Toronto , is a night of stand-up comedy featuring seasoned pros alongside up-and-coming comics from the StandUp For Your Sisters troupe. The title of the show was inspired by the experiences of comedian and organizer Daniela Saioni during her bout with cancer earlier this year.

"For my 40th birthday I got cancer," Saioni says. "I'm a comic, so my natural instinct was to make jokes about it - but when I did, I got heckled. Even friends and family were uncomfortable discussing it."

Last year's inaugural event, StandUp For Your Sisters, was a sold-out success and raised more than $7,400 for Gilda's Club. This year's event has become more personal for Saioni, who credits Gilda's Club for helping with her successful recovery.

"It was humbling having to turn to the charity I fundraise for to get help," Saioni says, "I'm so happy to be able to give back to Gilda's Club by doing what I love - making people laugh."

With The 'C' Word's diverse line-up of comics, there will be plenty of laughs, with topics ranging from sex to ethnicity, relationships to careers and much, much more. Since last year's event, the Sisters have spent lots of time on local comedy stages and their acts are better than ever.

"People from last year's audience still stop us in the street to quote their favorite jokes back to us," Saioni says. "This year, we'll give them even more to talk about. It's a great night to come out and stand up for your sisters, mothers, daughters and friends. And laugh in the face of cancer."

    
    When:      Tuesday, January 19, 2010 at 8:30 p.m. (Dinner and silent
               auction at 6pm)
    Where:     Hugh's Room, 2261 Dundas Street West, Toronto
    Who:       Hosted by Martha Chaves (Just for Laughs, Something About
               Martha)
               Featuring Jo-Anna Downey (CTV's Women of the Night, YukYuks),
               Special Guests Sandra Battaglini (Canadian Comedy Award
               winner) and Sandra Shamas (My Boyfriend's Back and There's
               Gonna Be Laundry) and StandUp For Your Sisters
    Tickets:   $25 in advance (available at www.hughsroom.com), $30 at the
               door
    

All proceeds from tickets sales and silent auction will go directly to Gilda's Club.

For a list of comics, bios and photos, visit www.standupforyoursisters.com.

About Gilda's Club

The mission of Gilda's Club is to provide a meeting place where men, women, teens and children living with cancer, as well as their families and friends, can join with others to build social and emotional support as a supplement to their treatment of choice. Gilda's Club is a non-profit organization where there is no cost to members. For more information about Gilda's Club, please visit their website at www.gildasclubtoronto.org

For further information: or to schedule an interview, contact Bonnie Dean at [email protected] or [phone]