Laughter truly is the best medicine. Too many of us are impacted by Cancer and other conditions, and many times the laughter in our lives is all too often silenced. Laughs 4 Life is intended to generate smiles and laughter throughout our wonderful Hub City community in a way we've never seen before. It's also a way to say Thank You to the friends, family, caregivers, and supporters out there that have made my personal journey tolerable. But most importantly it's a way to benefit incredible organizations who are making highly tangible differences through research and patient experience.
Founded in 1990, the International Myeloma Foundation (IMF) is the first and largest global foundation focusing specifically on multiple myeloma. The IMF is dedicated to improving the quality of life of myeloma patients while working toward prevention and a cure by focusing on four key areas: research, education, support, and advocacy. in 2024 Laughs 4 Life helped fund the development of Myelo™, the IMF’s AI-powered, patient-focused chatbot. With a vision to create a world where every myeloma patient can live life to the fullest, unburdened by the disease, their focus on the patient has been paramount throughout their 35 year history.
In partnership with Hattiesburg Clinic Hematology/Oncology, the Forrest General Cancer Center has developed an extensive clinical trial program, which has become one of the largest in the state of Mississippi. At the Cancer Center, there are multiple ongoing clinical trials available to patients that include the newest immunotherapies, targeted therapies, as well as newer chemotherapies. Many of these trials are not available elsewhere in the state of Mississippi. This allows patients to receive state-of-the-art treatment without the need to travel outside of the Pine Belt, with a full-time dedicated research staff to assist with patient care during the clinical trial.
At Children’s of Mississippi, you’ll find health care designed just for kids. And in 2024 we were able to cut the ribbon on the first ever Laughs 4 Life Smile Room, a unique space designed specifically to create smiles for patients and families within the walls of Children’s. This one-of-a-kind space was made possible solely through the proceeds from Laughs 4 Life. We’re excited to announce that in 2025 construction will begin on a second Smile Room!