|
||||||||||||||||||
|
|
November, 2001 "Written By" Member's magazine
Healing With Laughter
 Bob Carroll, Jr. and Madelyn Pugh Davis visit dialysis patient Tony as a part of Rx Laughter's program PHOTO BY SCOTT ROEBEN |
Rx Laughter, an innovative project using humor as a healer,
founded by entertainment industry executive Sherry Dunay Hilber, recently completed an
important phase of its program. Numerous healthy children and teens were hooked up to
monitors as they watched funny TV shows and films (such as Malcolm in the Middle, Blazing
Saddles, Saturday Night Live, The Simpsons) to see how humor affects physical and
emotional health. The goal is to incorporate humorous TV shows and films into medical
treatments at hospitals across the nation. Results will be presented by Hilber and UCLA
cancer researchers the end of the year.
The next phase of the project, which begins early next year, will involve ill children and
teens watching funny TV shows and films as they undergo their medical procedures.
Researchers will study how humor can improve immune function and reduce pain.
Rx Laughter takes place at the Jonsson Cancer Center, the Mattel UCLA Children's Hospital
and the UCLA Neuropsychiatric Institute and Hospital.
If you'd like to help keep this project going, contact (310) 206-3932.