Rx Laughter Film Therapy - Cancer Support Groups
in collaboration with the Markstein Cancer Education and Preventive Services
    at Alta Bates Summit Medical Center in Berkeley and Oakland, California.

In the Spring of 2009, Rx Laughter continued our work using film and television comedy viewing to help people who are coping with trauma and stress, for improved wellness.  Following our successful therapeutic entertainment endeavor with the Edelman West Side Mental Health clinic in Los Angeles the previous year, we conceptualized a project that uses segments of films to help elicit disclosure for improved wellness for people in cancer support groups. 

Based upon the results of this project, Rx Laughter is developing an easy and fun "how to" Rx Laughter Wellness Workshop self-help guide for social workers, psychologists and psychotherapists to incorporate into their support groups, and for members of self-help support groups to use as a guide so that they can produce their own tailor-made fun and helpful Rx Laughter event on their own. If you would like more information, please email Sherry Dunay Hilber at ContactRxLaughter@gmail.com. Please type "Rx Laughter Wellness Workshop" in the Subject line so that it does not go to Spam.

Rx Laughter & the California Foster & Kinship Care Education Program:

In August of 2009, we donated the official Rx Laughter t shirts to the Foster children and teens who attended summer camp at Camp Ocean Pines in the seaside village of Cambria, California. We look forward to helping brighten the lives of the children and young adults who are part of this Foster care program for many summers to come.

Rx Laughter DVD & VHS Donations to Hospitals & Shelters:

During the Summer of 2009, Rx Laughter was pleased to distribute many classic & contemporary humorous films to several regional pediatric hospitals, hospices, women's shelters and seniors nursing homes.  The first round of donations went to the Sierra Vista Regional Medical Center in San Luis Obispo, California.

Rx Laughter at UCLA Pediatric Hematology Oncology Infusion Clinic

Rx Laughter developed and implemented a pilot project at the above UCLA clinic for children undergoing chemotherapy and other infusion treatments. Pre Med students volunteered their time and talents to Rx Laughter to help the child and family through painful and traumatic infusion treatments. The volunteers worked with nurses and child life staff on behalf of Rx Laughter, and learned how to work within a clinical setting in this way. We consider this pilot project a great success and we appreciate the support of Theodore B. Moore MD, the Clinical Director of Pediatric Hematology Oncology at UCLA.

Rx Laughter - Pediatric Therapeutic Care: Past, Present and Future:

Video Soundbites - Rx Laughter in action

photo of pediatric patient at UCLA taking
part in Rx Laughter therapeutic project.
Photo courtesy of Leslie Barton Photography for Rx Laughter

Through our multi year research with the UCLA Pediatric Pain Program and The UCLA Jonsson Cancer Center, we have learned that children do indeed tolerate pain better during medical treatments if they can watch comforting, humorous videos during the painful procedure. This research collaboration suggests that viewing enjoyable entertainment is a potent prescription for pediatric pain and fear: This research was published in the Journal of Complementary and Alternative Medicine medical journal in October, 2007.

Thus, Rx Laughter has put this research into practical use for pediatric patients with cancer and other serious & painful medical conditions:

Practical Usage for Pediatric Patients: Accomplishments thus far:
For the past several years, Rx Laughter has implemented and overseen the "Rx Laughter closed circuit comedy Channel" at the Mattel Children's Hospital @UCLA for Pediatric patients in 2 units: Pediatric Critical Isolation Unit (Hematology Oncology inpatients) and Pediatric Intensive Care Unit.

There, we showed a range of age-appropriate, distracting, enjoyable videos to pediatric and teen patients under the supervision of Rx Laughter volunteers with cooperation and support of the nurses and the Clinical Director of Pediatric Hematology Oncology.The reaction was positive from the patients and their families. Results: Renewed spirit, emotional comfort and relief from pain.

The black and white photo on top of this page was photographed exclusively for Rx Laughter, Courtesy of Leslie Barton Photography. No reproduction or usage of any other kind elsewhere is permitted. Thank you.