The Oliver Family with Leanne Morgan 2022

In 2015 I never expected that at 34 years old with two young girls I would be diagnosed with a cancer like Multiple Myeloma.  After months of procedures, chemo, and treatment at the Forrest General Cancer Center as well as the Mayo Clinic, I underwent a stem cell transplant at Vanderbilt University that I know has and will greatly improve the long term outcome for me and my family. I'm pleased to say that I am more than three years out from the transplant, living comfortably with maintenance therapy, and enjoying life with my family in Hattiesburg. 

I’m thankful for our hometown and the amazing community of friends and family that have been so supportive of us.  In 2016 with the support of this community we were fortunate to start Laughs 4 Life and host Frank Caliendo as our headlining performer at the inaugural event, raising over $124,000!  We were all left with smiles on our faces as the community came together in a truly unique way, recognizing the impact we were able to have on the treatment of cancer.  

In the five years since we have been fortunate to receive even greater support from our community and the many sponsors who stepped up to the plate to aid Laughs 4 Life as we’ve welcomed names such as Bill Engvall, Nate Bargatze, Leanne Morgan, Keith Alberstadt, James Austin Johnson, and Tig Notaro. In total we have contributed over $1,000,000 to our beneficiary organizations: The International Myeloma Foundation, CURE Childhood Cancer, Children’s of Mississippi, the Mayo Clinic, and the Forrest General Cancer Center.  Each year the bar has been raised and it has been a joy to put this event together for the benefit of our community and our incredible partner organizations. We welcome the community to join us again as we collectively improve the future outlook for so many facing cancer and other health conditions inside our state and beyond. 

Thank you,

Kent Oliver

Laughs 4 Life Founder