Scheduled Performers Include Hannibal Buress, Rachel Feinstein, Nikki Glaser, Robert Klein, Marc Maron, Kumail Nanjiani, Iliza Shlesinger, And Fred Willard
Celebration Benefits the Peter Boyle Research Fund and Supports the Black Swan Research Initiative
Press Release – August 30, 2017 (Los Angeles, CA) – The International Myeloma Foundation (IMF), the first and widely respected myeloma-specific foundation in the world, announced today the star-studded lineup for the IMF 11th Annual Comedy Celebration on Saturday, November 4 at The Wilshire Ebell Theatre. Actor and comedian Ray Romano returns to host an unforgettable evening of comedy that will feature performers including Hannibal Buress, Rachel Feinstein, Nikki Glaser, Robert Klein, Marc Maron, Kumail Nanjiani, Iliza Shlesinger, and Fred Willard. All performers are subject to availability.
Proceeds from event benefit the Peter Boyle Research Fund, named for the beloved actor who died in 2006 after a four-year battle with myeloma – an incurable cancer of the bone marrow plasma cells and one of the fastest growing blood cancers in the world. Since the first event in 2007, the annual IMF Comedy Celebration has featured over 50 celebrity comedians and musical performers, and raised more than $6 million. Through laughter, the event honors Boyle and raises money for research to find a cure for myeloma. The Peter Boyle Research Fund has supported the IMF’s innovative research programs since the fund’s inception in 2007.
For the fifth year, the event also supports the International Myeloma Foundation’s signature Black Swan Research Initiative® (BSRI), a groundbreaking and collaborative global project aimed at developing the first definitive cure for myeloma. Through the Black Swan Research Initiative, the IMF is conducting 30 concurrent studies to find the cure, and is supporting studies around the world including in Iceland, Hungary, and India. Recently, the IMF achieved the unprecedented ability to launch two targeted myeloma “cure” trials — CESAR and ASCENT.
The evening will include a pre-show cocktail reception and silent auction, two-hour comedy show, and a post-show party for VIP ticket holders. Tickets are on-sale now at comedy.myeloma.org. The International Myeloma Foundation 11th Annual Comedy Celebration is presented by Amgen, Celgene, Janssen, and Takeda Oncology.
About the International Myeloma Foundation (IMF)
For 27 years, the International Myeloma Foundation has remained dedicated to improving the quality of life of myeloma patients through its four founding principles: Research, Education, Support, and Advocacy. The IMF is a world-recognized leader in myeloma with a global reach of over 450,000 members in 140 countries worldwide – including patients, caregivers, family members, physicians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals. Through their signature research program, the Black Swan Research Initiative® (BSRI), the IMF is on the cusp of finding a cure for a subset of myeloma patients. The IMF is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to improving lives and finding a cure. The IMF can be reached at (800) 452-CURE (2873). The global website is myeloma.org. Follow the IMF on Twitter @IMFmyeloma.
