The vision for our Laughter Therapy program (“Riso Terapia” in Spanish) is to enrich the lives of kids suffering from cancer. At times we affectionately refer to the program as "Dr. Payaso" (Doctor Clown), with each of our clowns skilled at making meaningful, uplifting visitation to kids suffering from cancer, the key being utter concern for cheering these young patients’ hearts rather than concern for oneself.

While researchers diligently look for a cure for cancer, it is our goal to make the lives of young cancer patients, whose lives may be shortened and who suffer from the disease, as bearable and joyful as we can. Dr. Enrique Aguilar Lopez who heads up the cancer ward at the Centro Medico Hospital in Mexico City has told us that our Laughter Therapy visitations are “like a trip to Disneyland for these kids”. The doctor explained that for many kids in Mexico going to Disneyland is a dream, and these kids with cancer will most likely never realize that dream. When our Laughter Therapy teams visit cancer hospitals in costume, with red noses and with games, songs, coloring books, toys, balloons, puppets and inspiration, for these kids it’s like a bit of Disneyland coming to their bedsides.

The Laughter Therapy method is based on Dr. Patch Adams' concept that laughter is a great medicine that can heal both hearts and bodies. (You may have seen the movie starring Robin Williams.) Each year, thousands of kids with cancer are being reached and encouraged through our Laughter Therapy program.