Ottawa Community Advocate Uses Humor to Raise Funds for Cancer Research
Jenny Chen, a passionate community advocate in Ottawa, is proving that laughter can be a powerful tool in the fight against cancer. Through her participation in the Laugh For The Cure fundraising campaign for the Ottawa Cancer Foundation, Chen has successfully raised more than $22,000 to support vital cancer research initiatives.
Comedy as a Catalyst for Change
When the Ottawa Cancer Foundation approached Chen to participate in their Laugh For The Cure campaign, she eagerly accepted the challenge. On Thursday, March 26, she will join four other Ottawa residents on stage to deliver a five-minute amateur standup comedy routine, all in the name of raising funds for cancer research.
"I think I'm the funniest person I know, but I'm not, like, standup funny," Chen said with excitement about her upcoming performance. Despite her self-deprecating humor, Chen's fundraising efforts have already made her the top fundraiser among the amateur comedians participating in the campaign.
A Personal Connection to the Cause
The fundraising effort holds deep personal significance for Chen. Her husband, Dan MacMillan, was diagnosed with Stage 4 small lymphocytic lymphoma in 2020, an incurable cancer primarily found in the lymph nodes. While MacMillan is currently in remission and receives checkups every six months, the experience left a lasting impact on both of them.
"I proposed to him halfway through his chemo because I didn't trust anybody else to give him the best rest of his life possible," Chen revealed, highlighting the profound commitment that emerged from their shared struggle.
The Power of Community Support
Chen's fundraising success has been bolstered by support from across North America and beyond. "We have donations now and support from all of our friends and network from all over North America," she explained. "We had a donation come in from our friend in Madrid, so it just goes to show you the power of community."
She has partnered with local businesses including La Bottega Nicastro and Sussex and Co. to help reach her ambitious $30,000 fundraising goal. "We're really, really grateful, and we hope to get to $30,000 in this last push with the friends in our hospitality business across the city," Chen added.
The Isolation of Cancer Caregiving
Chen spoke candidly about the emotional challenges of being a caregiver during her husband's cancer treatment. "I remember how isolating and emotional being a caregiver can be," she recalled. The Ottawa Cancer Foundation provided crucial psychological and financial resources that helped them navigate the healthcare system during this difficult period.
"We are still in a world where people who get diagnosed with chronic illnesses navigate their journey alone because they don't want to be treated differently," Chen observed. "It is very traumatizing. A lot of people don't share it. My husband didn't share it for the first little bit until I actually asked him to share it with someone else so that I could have someone to lean on. It's a very lonely journey for people."
Finding Joy Amidst Adversity
Despite the challenges of cancer treatment, Chen and MacMillan discovered ways to maintain joy in their lives. They frequently visited local businesses in Ottawa's ByWard Market as a way to temporarily escape the constant focus on cancer.
"There would be three days after chemotherapy where he would be feeling really low, so I would take him out and we'd go explore all the patios that were open, all of the restaurants that were open, just for like two hours, right where cancer wasn't consuming our life," Chen explained, illustrating their determination to find moments of normalcy and happiness during treatment.
Through her combination of humor, community engagement, and personal dedication, Jenny Chen continues to demonstrate how individual efforts can make a significant impact in supporting cancer research and those affected by the disease.
