Press Release: Canadian Comedy Stars Line Up in Support of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of Canada

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – Canadian Comedy Stars Line Up in Support of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of Canada

April 5, 2010 , Toronto, ON– Some of the funniest people in Canada will be in the spotlight on May 4 at the Melody Bar in the Gladstone Hotel, as they raise money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of Canada’s TEAM in Training (TNT). Funds raised from the show, titled Lloyd’s Laugh Marathon, will go towards TNT member and stand-up comedian Lloyd Ravn’s goal of raising funds for blood cancer research and patient support while training to run a half-marathon.

The show’s organizer joined TNT in honour of his late father as well as to take the opportunity to set a positive example for his two sons. When his father lost his battle with leukemia 5 years ago, Ravn’s oldest son Eric was only 6 weeks old, and losing his father so soon after becoming a father himself was a major life changing event. He considered joining TNT to raise funds as a way of marking the 5 year anniversary of his father’s death, but found it hard to commit to making the move from his unhealthy, sedentary lifestyle to the hard work of training for a half-marathon. That is, until he thought about how hard Eric works every day.

Over the past 5 years, young Eric has experienced his own series of health issues, including 3 major strokes, and Lloyd has watched and cheered as his son worked exceedingly hard at various rehabilitation therapies. “I always tell Eric ‘You can do it!’ when he is struggling to re-master a skill that his strokes have taken away from him,” said Ravn. “But as he gets older, I started to wonder if he’s thinking ‘That’s easy for you to say, as you sit on the couch.’ So I wanted to show him, and his brother Alex (2), that I am willing to push myself too.” Ravn signed up to be part of TNT for the Ottawa half-marathon, and committed to raising at least $3,000 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of Canada (LLSC) in the process.

As an amateur comic in Toronto’s comedy scene, Lloyd decided to organize a stand-up show to help reach his fundraising goal, and put out the word to some of his favourite professional comedians. “I’m thrilled with the amazing line-up I’ve been able to assemble for this show and I can’t wait to perform along with these comedy stars,” said Ravn.
Tony Krolo, a Canadian comedy veteran, will host the show which will also include:

· Brian Lazanik - Just for Laughs, Last Comic Standing
· Boyd Banks - Little Mosque on the Prairie, Comics!
· Allyson Smith - Winnipeg Comedy Festival, The Debaters
· Andrew Johnston - Video on Trial, Love Court· Riz (Ali Rizvi Badshah) – Second City’s Next Comedy Legend, The new host of CBC Radio’s Laugh Out Loud

Lloyd’s Laugh Marathon Details:

Date: Tuesday May 4, 2010
Location: Melody Bar in the Gladstone Hotel, 1214 Queen St W, Toronto
Time: Show at 8:00
Tickets: $15.00, available at http://www.anotherl.com/ or by e-mailing lloydravn@hotmail.com

About Team in Training

Team In Training is the world’s largest endurance sport training program. For 21 years, participants of Team In Training have been completing marathons, triathlons, and 100-mile cycling challenges while raising funds for blood cancer research. Team In Training athletes are encouraged and inspired through their endurance challenges by their honoured team-mates; individuals who are currently battling, or have battled a blood cancer and have thereby faced a far more challenging test of human endurance.

For More Information:
· Lloyd Ravn, Event organizer: 647-929-8916, lloydravn@hotmail.com
· Derek Virgo, Team In Training Program Co-ordinator, derek.virgo@lls.org