The second annual ‘Cancer Takedown’ event is returning to Peterborough’s Market Hall on Thursday, November 9th for an evening of raising spirits and raising funds for cancer care.
Hosted by comedians Linda Kash and Megan Murphy, Cancer Takedown is described as a spirit-raiser for anyone touched by cancer, uniting people through song, comedy, and storytelling. All proceeds from the event, which begins at 7 p.m., will go towards cancer care at Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC).
“I’ve never really experienced anything like Cancer Takedown,” says Kash. “It feels like one of the most intimate evenings I have ever had, with people who are so willing to speak their truth about something that is not easy to share at even the best of times.”
With Kash and Murphy leading the night, audiences are guaranteed an evening of laughs, surprises, and maybe even some audience participation. Performers include Melissa Payne, Kate Suhr, Anthony Bastianon, Rob Phillips, and Pol Coussée. Some of the performers, as well as members of the community, will be sharing their own cancer stories throughout the night.
While cancer is obviously a serious issue, Kash says the show itself will not be a sombre experience for the audience — in fact, it will be the exact opposite.
“The truth is that the show is extremely uplifting,” she explains. “We are there to be together as a community. We lean into the discomfort of the stories that aren’t easy to hear, but there’s this crazy celebration of resilience and that’s an amazing feeling in the room. It’s about that connection and that positive energy.”
Kash and Murphy are bringing the hilarity as hosts for the second year, following the success of the inaugural show, which was originally meant to be a one-off event. Founded by husband-and-wife duo Rick and Amy Kemp, the idea for the show came from the Rick’s first-hand experience receiving cancer care at PRHC.
He was first diagnosed with metastatic kidney cancer at the end of 2018, before then being diagnosed with a second cancer, primary central nervous system lymphoma, in 2021.
With Rick’s two cancer diagnoses impacting the couple’s lives, including limiting Rick’s mobility, the couple wanted to create an event that was different from other cancer fundraisers that are focused on physical movement, like cycling races and marathons.
“The physical battle is massive, but so is the mental and emotional battle,” Amy explains. “In our experience, on a lot of days that (mental and emotional battle) takes over, and that’s where the real durability and stamina needs to come.”
Amy adds that why it’s important for all those touched by cancer — including family members and social circles — make their mental and emotional health a priority.
“The Cancer Takedown event is bringing attention to the mental burden of cancer,” she notes. “There’s amazing care that’s available and done every day in Ontario and in Peterborough on the physical parts of this disease, but a lot can be done to match that level of care on the mental and emotional burden of the disease as well.”
VIDEO: 2023 Cancer Takedown
With both Amy and Rick coming from a professional background in advertising, the show was ultimately a way for each of them to continue being creative and have something to focus on while dealing with the physical and emotional impacts of illness.
“It’s really been an outlet because it helps you put those brain muscles to better use, and to more meaningful use, and you get to do it with great people in the community,” Amy notes. “Both Rick and I are really overwhelmed with the response we’ve gotten.”
With the positive feedback, Amy adds, there’s even the hope the event will encourage other communities to host similar fundraisers.
“The reason we’re back for year two is because of that support and feedback we got from the people in Peterborough — the people who performed, the musicians, the people who attended,” Amy says. “It really inspired us to go beyond just a one-off event and that’s why we’re back, and trying to think a bit bigger and aim a bit higher and reach more people this year.”
According to Kash, one of the reasons last year’s fundraiser connected with so many people is because of how universal stories of cancer are.
“Each and every one of us has a story, either directly or peripherally, that relates,” Kash says. “It’s not only about the people who have experienced cancer, but it’s for the caregivers and the people who love people who have gone through this journey.”
For Kash, her story is about watching her father battle cancer. She recalls that, when he was diagnosed, “the world stopped turning.”
“Any kind of illness has a loneliness to it, and (Cancer Takedown) is our way of saying ‘You are not alone’,” Kash explains. “It takes a load of courage for people to tell their story and their struggle. I just applaud them like no other hero, because we know the journey.”
She says it’s important to add some laughter to that journey, which is exactly what Cancer Takedown aims to do.
“There’s nothing like humour to cut across a tough time,” Kash points out. “I know you’re going to laugh and everybody’s going to be moved as well. It’s a combo of feelings and they’re all valid, but you’re not going to leave disheartened. You’ll leave absolutely filled with this crazy sense that we human beings are bloody resilient. Especially in these political times when there’s so much fracturing going on, it’s really nice to feel that we’re together.”
Tickets for Cancer Takedown are $35 for general admission and are available online at tickets.markethall.org. Note that video recording will take place during the event.
Those who are unable to attend the show but would like to support cancer care at PRHC can do so at the PRHC Foundation website at prhcfoundation.ca.
