Yesterday, March 7, 2013 the Gilda's LaughFest opened in Grand Rapids, Mich. with a goal to set a new Guinness World Record with the most people wearing false mustaches. As reported by mlive the world record was achieved with 1,544 men, women, children and babies covering their upper lip with a faux mustache. LaughFest is waiting for their new world record to be recognized with a Guinness certification.
Donning the fake mustaches put a smile on many faces hopefully adding some healing with laughter.
As the saying goes "laughter is the best medicine" and is exactly what Gilda's LaughFest was founded on in 2011. Gilda’s Club of Grand Rapids. Mich. started the annual LaughFest in March 2011 "to celebrate laughter for the health of it". A festival filled with ten days of laughter showcases great comedians, films, and community fun such as laughter yoga and funny pet contests.
Every year the LaughFest has begun the festival with an aim to set a Guinness World Record.
The first year in 2011 set the record for tossing 925 rubber chickens. In 2012 the record for the most people wearing animal noses was achieved with 607 people wearing chicken beaks as they performed the chicken dance.
The LaughFest is a wonderful platform by Gilda's Club Grand Rapids to raise awareness and funds to support people suffering with cancer.
Gilda's Club Grand Rapids was "founded with love by cancer survivors" opening in 2001 and has grown to be the largest of the United States Gilda's Clubs. LaughFest has achieved its goal of bringing people together through the power of laughter and has brought wonderful attention to the efforts of Gilda's Club. "All proceeds from LaughFest benefit the programs offered through Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids."
Gilda Radner's dream of giving everyone battling cancer a support system is the inspiration for Gilda's Club.
Unfortunately Gilda Radner lost her war with ovarian cancer in 1986. In her book "It's Always Something" she spoke about how the cancer support community helped her through her battle. Her dreams of giving anyone touched by cancer a support system is what inspired the opening of Gilda's Club. The organization was originally founded in memory of comedian Gilda Radner by Joanna Bull, her cancer therapist, and her husband, actor Gene Wilder.
The first Gilda's Club, a free cancer support community was opened in New York City in June of 1995 now known as Gilda's Club New York City. Gilda's Club has grown to become recognized with chapters across the states as well as worldwide. Every dollar raised goes to support the local clubs and members, that the donation was made to, helping survivors and families with cancer and grief support.
Everyone has been touched by cancer in some way. Gilda Radner gave the world the gift of laughter, even as she fought her own war with cancer. When so many dollars go to cancer medications, laughter is truly the only free medicine to make those suffering feel better. LaughFest achieves the goals of helping cancer sufferers by giving them the gift of laughter as well as raising important funds needed for social and emotional support.
Laugh your way to health and never be afraid to dance!
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