Laughter is the Bridge

“People only talk about cancer in a negative way… stricken, battled, died… but why can’t we focus on the positive… diagnosed, treated, survived! Life is terminal, cancer isn’t.”
-Merv Kopp

On March 14, 2005, at the age of 70, Merv Kopp was diagnosed with Leiomyosarcoma (LMS), an extremely rare form of cancer. From that moment on Kopp would spend much of his time laughing and bringing joy into the lives of others.

Merv, a UCLA graduate and father of two, recalls the first time he realized something was wrong. “I used to ride my bike during my lunch breaks. During one of my rides I discovered I could not breathe out of my right nostril.” After his first trip to an Ear, Nose, and Throat specialist it was revealed that he has a deviated septum. Additional X-rays concluded that Merv had a small mass blocking his nasal passage. The mass was removed on March 9, 2005 and a few days later he received a call saying it was cancerous.

Merv’s passion and zest for life never allowed him to have a moment of self-pity. He recalls his first thoughts as being calls for action, “What do we need to do to take care of this? Who do I have to see?” He underwent wide margin surgery to ensure the removal of all cancerous cells and after 33 doses of radiation he thought his journey with cancer was over.

In early 2010, Merv began to experience shooting pains down his arm and abdominal region. After many tests and trips to the doctors it was revealed that the LMS had in fact returned and the cancer treatment started up once again.

Through all of this Merv has managed to keep a smile on his face and even bring smiles to those around him. After attending the Lance Armstrong Cancer Survivor Summit in 2006, Kopp had an overwhelming sense to give back to the community and to help those with cancer. What better way than to provide hope and smiles to those diagnosed with cancer?

He began producing Stand up for Cancer Survivors, an annual fundraising comedy event for The Wellness Community Valley/Ventura. “I like laughing and having a good time,” he says. “Laughter is the bridge we take to leave the dark side and get to the other side.” (Merv is pictured, left, at the 2009 Stand Up for Cancer Survivors event.) Along with planning the annual comedy night, Merv diligently works on bringing comedians to The Wellness Community once a month for a series called Comedy Night: Laughter IS the Best Medicine. (Wellness Community participants are pictured, right, enjoying a Comedy Night event.)

Merv describes himself as always being the class clown. “I liked the attention when I was younger but now I can use humor in a positive way.” His favorite aspect of Comedy Night is “seeing all the people laughing - that’s when I know the plan has come together.” He continues by saying, “I am so happy to be able to work with the people at The Wellness Community and the organization itself. It’s awesome, the programs and the attitudes of everyone there.” With his contagious smile and enthusiastic spirit it is no wonder he brings joy to all those he meets.

You can see photos from the Comedy Night series on our Facebook page.