Cancer isn’t a very funny topic but in Santa Monica, some patients and comics are healing through laughter by sharing their stories of diagnosis and treatment and of life and loss.
Participants affected by cancer shared their journey as part of the Storyectomy program at The Crow Comedy Club.
All proceeds from the comedy shows will benefit the American Cancer Society.
“Finding out who you are and how it affected you and processing it in a group setting with a class full of other people who have gone through a similar experience setting it becomes sort of a group therapy session, in a very nontraditional way,” explained Nicole Blaine, the creator of Storyectomy.
Blaine said participants meet once a week for three hours and the entire experience lasts six weeks.
“I was diagnosed with stage three breast cancer,” said Marsa Taheri, a mother of two.
Nicole Blaine, the creator of Storyectomy, takes the stage at The Crow Comedy Club in Santa Monica. (KTLA) 
The Storyectomy End Cancer program at The Crow Comedy Club in Santa Monica. All proceeds will benefit the American Cancer Society. (KTLA) 
Audiences watch as Storyectomy participants share their stories at The Crow Comedy Club in Santa Monica. (KTLA) 
Marsa Taheri, a mother of two, a cancer patient sits down with KTLA ahead of her set at as part of The Storyectomy End Cancer program at The Crow Comedy Club. (KTLA) 
Dr. Lindsay Olson sits down with KTLA ahead of her set at as part of The Storyectomy End Cancer program at The Crow Comedy Club. (KTLA) 
Audiences watch as Storyectomy participants share their stories at The Crow Comedy Club in Santa Monica. (KTLA)
Taheri is part of a small group of performers who recently completed a comedy storytelling class at The Crow.
“I never really believed it would happen to me, even right now, sometimes I still can’t believe it happened to me,” Taheri said.
All performers are either cancer patients, those who have lost loved ones to cancer and medical professionals.
“My story is about coping and trying to heal. Dealing with these amazingly beautiful but tragic stories that I come across every day,” said Dr. Lindsay Olson, a participant. “This class allows us to not only find community with each other, but we get to share it with a whole group of people, which I feel is such an amazing opportunity.”
More information and tickets to Storyectomy End Cancer can be found here.
On Sunday, Oct. 27, The American Cancer Society is hosting a Making Strides walk at the Santa Monica Pier, where all proceeds will benefit the organization.
KTLA is a sponsor of the event. More information about the walk can be found here.
