The “Laugh Your Brains Out” Comedy Show, organized in memory of Jenny Williams, a passionate, humor enthusiast and fierce brain tumor advocate, brought together comedians, friends, family, and comedy lovers alike. The event was a celebration of life, community and raising awareness of brain tumors. Read on to harness the power of laughter as Jenny did and why even in the face of serious illness, humor can unite and uplift individuals and communities.
A Legacy in Laughter
Diagnosed with an oligodendroglioma, Jenny envisioned a night of comedy that would raise funds for brain tumor research and patient support programs, while celebrating the humor that helped her cope throughout her diagnosis and treatment. With the help of her husband, Sam Lee, producer Michael Martin, and event planner and show host, Stephen Poon, her vision came to life in a way that far exceeded everyone’s expectations.
“Jenny was always fighting her cancer with humor,” said Sam. “During her surgeries, she would crack jokes with the nurses so much that her mom had to join her so they could focus on her care.”
Planning the show became a shared act of healing for the team after Jenny’s passing in December. Rather than cancel, they pressed forward — honoring her spirit through the event she had dreamed of. The turnout and overwhelming support proved they made the right call.
With a sold-out event at the Lincoln Lodge, the revered Chicago comedy venue, seats were filled with friends, family and comedy enthusiasts. They were treated to a two-hour show, headlined by Myq Kaplan and featured talented comedians, Andrew Nadeau, Tori Kilkenny, Adam Burke, and Angel Luna. The show raised $6,000 in ticket sales and donations, and unified the crowd around the fight against brain tumors.
“Comedy is a great unifier. We wanted a show where the audience could support each other and feel good about making a difference.”
-Stephen Poon, comedy show organizer
What set Laugh Your Brains Out apart from other comedy shows was its multifaceted purpose — blending top-notch entertainment with education and advocacy. “The show wasn’t just a memorial,” Stephen emphasized. “It was about supporting the ABTA and creating a space where people could laugh together, learn together, and leave feeling connected to something bigger.”
Laughing Matters: Social and Physiologic Benefits in Cancer
For Jenny, laughter wasn’t just a coping mechanism; it was part of her identity. Throughout her treatment, she joked with nurses, friends, and anyone willing to share a laugh. She even named her brain tumors. As Michael put it, “She fought cancer with humor, and that’s a big part of why she thrived for so long.”
According to Dr. Mariusz Wirga, Medical Director – Psychosocial Oncology of MemorialCare Todd Cancer Institute at Long Beach Memorial Medical Center and guest speaker at the ABTA Patient & Family Meetings session “The Healing Power of Laughter”, laughter has social and physiologic benefits to help patients, including conditions of depression, anxiety, pain, and much more.
Humorous Tradition to Continue
By the end of the night, all had been touched — by the jokes, the mission, and the unmistakable sense of community filling the room. The success of the benefit not only honored Jenny’s legacy but also set the stage for something much larger.
“Comedy is a great unifier. We wanted a show where the audience could support each other and walk away feeling good about making a difference,” Stephen concluded.
The team hopes to make Laugh Your Brains Out an annual event, ensuring that each year, laughter continues to fuel hope and progress for brain tumor patients and their families.
What Can You Do?
Embrace the moments and laugh out loud – Use the power of laughter to brighten your own day, lift the spirits of those around you, and create moments of relief and hope. You can share a funny memory, watch a favorite comedy, or find humor in the little things. So let out those belly laughs today!
Turn passion into action – Like Jenny, a fierce ABTA advocate and voluntee, she gave her time, creativity and energy to fuel changes for the brain tumor community, and so can you! Whether you want to host a bake sale or organize an event like the Laugh Your Brains Out Comedy Show, ABTA can help through Fundraise Your Way. This program empowers you to turn your passion into action to support brain tumor research and patient services. Every event, big or small, propels hope for the brain tumor community. Learn more
