Comics stand up against cancer

Creating a benefit stand-up comedy show in the name of Gilda's Club Greater Toronto was a no-brainer for comedian and organizer Daniela Saioni.

The late Gilda Radner has been called one of the great comic geniuses of the 20th century and is perhaps best known for her five-year stint as part of the original cast of Saturday Night Live. Most importantly to Saioni and her cohorts, Radner remains a huge inspiration in the still male-dominated profession. The 42-year-old comedienne succumbed to ovarian cancer in 1988.

"We knew we wanted it to be cancer-related because it's a disease that has touched all our lives," said Saioni at a Roncesvalles Village coffee shop, Tuesday morning.

As founder of the StandUp for Your Sisters troupe, which is following up its sold-out 2009 benefit show for Gilda's Club with 'The C Word' on Jan. 19, Saioni never dreamed she would become a member of Gilda's. However, six months after the first show, Saioni was diagnosed with a granular cell tumour on the inside of her arm. At first, her doctor thought it was simply a lump of fat and sent her to see a plastic surgeon.

"OHIP only covers such an operation if it's cancer. After my operation, the surgeon gave me my money back," said Saioni.

It wasn't until she saw an oncologist that the word 'cancer' was uttered. Fortunately, this particular form of skin cancer is treatable and after a surgeon removed the pea-sized tumour, Saioni learned she wouldn't have to undergo chemotherapy and radiation. Instead, she turned to stand-up for therapy.

"For my 40th birthday, I got cancer," said Saioni, recognizing that she was the same age that Radner was when she was diagnosed. "I'm a comic so my natural instinct was to make jokes about it."

What she quickly learned - after getting heckled - was that audiences, including friends and family, weren't ready to laugh about the disease. Nevertheless, fellow comics didn't hesitate to be a part of the fundraiser. Sixteen-year veteran of the comedy scene, Martha Chaves, who hosts 'The C Word' at Hugh's Room, lost her mother to brain cancer just a year ago. And Radner, she said, was an idol of hers.

"I'm a huge fan of Gilda Radner. She's one of the huge reasons why I became a comedian," said Chaves, who was born and raised in Nicaragua. "It just so happens that Daniela is a friend of mine and the show is very dear to my heart because of Gilda and the cause. The line-up is fabulous. We're all different, we all talk about different things."

Saioni said she chooses her favourite comics to headline. Jo-Anna Downey is 'The C Word's' featured comic. Downey hosts 'Spirits,' near Bloor Street West and Church Street, Canada's longest running open mic night where Robin Williams and other famous comics drop in to do a set when they're in town as well as Eton House at Pape and Danforth Avenue.

Downey said she tried stand-up on a dare.

"I'd moved from Montreal to Toronto. I didn't have any friends. One of the architects I worked with used to play music at an open mic night. I'd been going to open mic night and a friend volunteered me. I had had a really bad haircut so I told this story," said Downey. "The evidence was there. I looked like Wayne Gretzky's rookie card."

Never afraid of public speaking, Downey said she was known as "the water cooler girl" or the "story-teller girl." Downey has been seen on CTV, CBC, The Comedy Network and The Discovery Channel.

"I've heard most of the material that will be performed and it's so varied. It can't be missed. You'll never see our headliners on stage together. It's a very rare chance to see our four featured performers," said Saioni. "I'm really proud of the caliber of talent. People are going to have an amazing time."

All proceeds from ticket sales and the silent auction will go directly to Gilda's Club. 'The C Word' takes place Tuesday, Jan. 19 at Hugh's Room, 2261 Dundas St. West. Tickets are $25 in advance (www.hughsroom.com) and $30 at the door. For further details, visit www.standupforyoursisters.com and www.gildasclubtoronto.org