Local News

Sept. 7, 2006

Cancer survivor, author finds healing in laughter

By Claudia I. Provencio
The Catholic Sun

Having a “no hair day” is not only OK, it can be downright funny.

Christine Clifford should know. She lost her hat and her wig during a televised golf tournament while vacationing in Arizona, but bounced back by giving the players advice about the direction of the wind.

Learning to laugh at the physical effects of chemotherapy is key to surviving cancer, said Clifford, cancer survivor and author of the book “Not Now… I’m Having a No Hair Day.”

That’s the message she gave to nearly 75 parishioners at Corpus Christi Parish during a diocesan-sponsored cancer ministry event Aug. 20 that included Baskin Robbins ice cream and a Frank Sinatra sound-alike.

Once a top marketing executive, Clifford now travels the country helping cancer patients find humor in the daily challenges associated with the disease, the second leading cause of death in Arizona.

“I wanted to see if she had any new ideas to help, to see if there were any hints they could give me in terms of dealing with my cancer,” said Irene Mines, a spirited senior in the audience who sported a white straw hat and is scheduled to have her fourth chemotherapy treatment.

“Her attitude inspired me. Like she said, send funny cards. Make people laugh because you need it,” she said.

“I lost my husband not quite 16 months ago and my children aren’t over that yet, and now they have to deal with this and it’s very hard on them. So I try to keep positive,” Mines added.

Clifford, president of The Cancer Club, an organization that markets humorous products for people with cancer, was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer at age 40 — something she prayed would never be in her future. Her mother was diagnosed at age 38 and died at 42.

While her mother coped by falling into a clinical depression, Clifford knew she would need a support system. Friends threw her chemotherapy showers and sent her cards and gifts, but Clifford noticed no one seemed to know what to say.

The cards were always “serious” and people seemed afraid to laugh in her presence, she said.

So she set out to create a book of cartoons that looked at the humorous side of her treatments. In one, someone offers her a cigarette at a party and she quips, “No thanks… I already have cancer.”

Clifford said “finding the humor in your life again when you have been diagnosed with cancer is a different time frame for everyone. So as a friend or loved one you definitely have to watch for the signals that the person is ready for it.”

Mother of three, Debbie Bond, who has stage 4 breast cancer, said she related to Clifford’s struggles and enjoyed attending a cancer ministry event that wasn’t emotionally heavy.

“A lot of the times that you go to events likes this, it’s so serious and sad. This is nice to actually have some fun,” the 38-year-old mother said. “The kids enjoyed it and it was something that they could participate in versus support groups, where it’s all about you and not about them.”

While humor is important in the battle against cancer, Bond said faith is also key.

“I have a lot of faith, that’s what’s getting me through it, day by day,” she said. “I participate in healing services, healing ministries, and have supportive doctors. It all comes down to faith.”

Claudia I. Provencio/CATHOLIC SUN
Cancer survivor and humorist Christine Clifford greets Catholics at Corpus Christi Parish late last month.

10 tips for laughter

Christine Clifford’s Top 10 quick and easy things you can do to bring joy and laughter to cancer patients:

10) Send a humorous card for a change
9) Send a cookie bouquet
8) Rent a funny movie
7) Give a funny book
6) Tell a joke
5) Send a painted coconut telegram with a message like “Go nuts, get healthy”
4) Share a funny story
3) Create a humor basket
2) Send a cartoon
1) Shave your head in sympathy