GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Each year, Gilda’s LaughFest hosts a series of events surrounding the importance of emotional health, known as Laughter Rx.
In addition to hosting several Laughter Yoga events, Adam Clayton-Holland’s performance of “Happy Place,” two screenings of “Love Gilda” in conjunction with Studio C and more, this year’s Laughter Rx series will include the Laughter Rx Symposium, “Emotional Health – The glue that holds us together when life’s tough stuff happens.”
The symposium will be held at Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids on Friday, March 6, It brings together health care professionals, caregivers, any affected by chronic diseases like cancer and all others interested in the impact of emotional health and laughter for a morning of learning and conversation.
Speakers for the Laughter Rx Symposium and their topics of discussion include:
- Jayson Dibble, Ph.D, associate professor of communication, Hope College; “Humor, Laughter, and Well-being: What does the Research Tell Us?” The presentation will share the latest research on the links between laughter, humor, and social and physical well-being.
- David Sharp, MD, Faith Hospice of Grand Rapids; “Punching Holes in the Darkness: How Humor Can Help in Times of Tragedy and Sadness.” A discussion on how times of sadness can be viewed as times of learning and healing positivity with humorous content.
- Andrew Kline, MD, PharmD, emergency medicine physician and clinical advisor of emergency neurology at Spectrum Health; “Pain Management in a Painfully Painful Environment: Challenges and Opportunities to Pain Management in the Emergency Department.” The presentation identifies challenges and opportunities to treating both acute and chronic pain in the emergency department.
The symposium has been designed to allow nurses and social workers in attendance to earn three continuing education credits. Registration is $35. Additional information is available at laughfestgr.org.
Laughter Yoga
Family friendly free Laughter Yoga activities with instructor Angela Essick Dykes will begin on Tuesday, March 10 with the first class at Gilda’s Club Lowell at 4 p.m., and a second class at Metro Cancer Center at 6:30 p.m.
Six additional Laughter Yoga events will be held at Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids on Saturday, March 7, 10 a.m.; Sunday, March 8, 3 p.m.; Thursday, March 12, Friday, March 13, and Saturday March 14, all at 10 a.m.; and Sunday, March 15, 3 p.m.
Find all the information about Laughter Yoga sessions right here.
LaughFest individual tickets are available for purchase at laughfestgr.org, in-person at the Van Andel Arena or DeVos Place Box Office or over the phone at 800.745.3000. Proceeds from the festival will go to support the free cancer and grief emotional health support program offered through Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids.
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- Gilda's Club receives $8K donation from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan
- LaughFest needs volunteers, registration now open
- Fortune Feimster added to 10th annual LaughFest lineup
- Jeff Foxworthy to headline Laughfest's 10th Anniversary
- LaughFest launches podcast to celebrate 10 years
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