Comedy show at Zanies to raise funds for Colorectal Cancer Alliance

“Laugh Your (expletive) Off,” a one-night comedy fundraiser for the Colorectal Cancer Alliance, will feature entertainers who have had or who are undergoing treatment for the disease. It will take place at 6 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 21, at Zanies Comedy Club, 5437 Park Place, Rosemont.

Tickets are $37.75, plus a two-item minimum. Doors open at 5 p.m. For details, call (847) 813-0484 or visit rosemont.zanies.com.

WGN reporter Mike Lowe emcees the event, which features comedians Jayson Cross of AMC’s “Date Night” and Arlington Heights native Greg Schwem, who is also an award-winning syndicated humor columnist.

The Colorectal Cancer Alliance is the nation’s largest nonprofit organization dedicated to ending colorectal cancer. The performers use laughter to raise awareness and critical funds for colorectal cancer prevention, research, and patient support.

According to the American Cancer Society, colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related death in the U.S., and cases are rising in young adults.

Schwem’s comedy is informed by his own experiences with the disease.

“Over my 30-year career in comedy, I’ve been asked to perform at dozens of fundraisers where the sole purpose is to raise not just money, but also awareness,” Schwem shared in a blog post. “In March 2024, I officially became a colon cancer survivor. Doctors removed 18 inches of my colon after discovering a malignant tumor lying flat upon it.”

Laughter can be both healing and powerful in building support for life-saving causes, he believes.

“As a comedian and humor speaker, it fills me with joy to look out at a roomful of people laughing even though their attendance was prompted by a very unfunny subject or event,” said Schwem, who attended Prospect High School.