On October 9th, weSPARK Cancer Support Center presented “May Contain Nuts! A Night of Comedy” at the Skirball Cultural Center which was a fund-raiser honoring Larry King and Alonzo Bodden.  On the red carpet that evening were Larry King (talk-show host, author), Alonzo Bodden (comedian, actor), Marcus Miller (jazz bassist, recording artist), Nancy Allen (actress, executive director of weSpark), Wendy Liebman (comedian), Mark DeCarlo (actor, television host), and Ed Begley, Jr. (actor). weSPARK Cancer Support Center’s mission is to enhance the quality of life for cancer patients, survivors and their loved ones, and provide free programs and services, which alleviate the physical and emotional side effects of a cancer diagnosis. The goal that evening was to raise 100,000 dollars for the Center. I interviewed some of the celebrities on the red carpet regarding their connection to weSPARK Cancer Support Center and to the two honorees.

Sheryl Aronson:  Nancy, please tell us the history of the weSPARK Cancer Support Center. Nancy Allen, the Executive Director of weSPARK:  Our organization was founded 17 years ago by Wendie Jo Sperber, who was an actress, mother and breast cancer warrior. When she was diagnosed in 1997, she was devastated, yet determined to live. She soon realized that although the physical treatment was difficult, the hardest battle was to be fought on the emotional front. Wendie’s dream was to open an independently-run cancer support center in a home-like setting. In the fall of 2001, she opened weSPARK and her dream came true. weSPARK is a special place dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for cancer patients, their families and friends. Sheryl Aronson:  How did you get involved with the Center? Nancy Allen:  She asked me to get involved when I was a celebrity golfer.  Let me say that we serve anyone who has cancer, not just breast cancer.  What makes our Center different is we have wrap around services that that help alleviate the emotional and physical side effects of the cancer diagnosis.  I know what we do really works and is very effective. Sheryl Aronson:  Please talk about the founder of weSPARK, Wendie Serber and the weSPARK Center. Mark DeCarlo:  When a family is given a diagnosis of cancer, people don’t know how to react.  Can we talk about it? Wendie was excellent about demystifying it. She built this amazing center to help family and friends that are going through this disease.  It’s all about wellness and health and right now and there is a huge waiting list of people who need are services.  So we need funding and tonight we are raising 100,000 dollars that will help make the waiting list shrink by providing more services.

Sheryl Aronson: You are performing a comedy routine tonight.  What are your thoughts regarding the weSPARK Center. Wendy Liebman : I love weSPARK because one of my friends used their services for many years and I have seen the transformation in her.  Tonight I will be doing a stand up comedy routine as a way of giving back. Sheryl Aronson: Talk about the two honorees Alonzo Bodden and Larry King. Wendy Liebman: I’ve know Alonzo forever and he’s a force in the comedy world.  He’s so prolific and one of the nicest people you’ll ever meet.  Larry King, OMG, he’s such a legend.  I idolize him.  They both deserve these honors tonight for their work in the industry.

Sheryl Aronson:  How did you meet Alonzo Bodden? Marcus Miller:  I met Alonzo on a smooth jazz cruise ship where we were both performing and we immediately connected.  We found out we grew up a few miles from one another and had a lot in common.  The guy is hilarious. Just put a microphone in his hand and he’s totally on. I watched him night after night and he was great. Sheryl Aronson:  Talk a little about what you have been doing professionally. Marcus Miller: I just came back from Kuwait playing with Herbie Hancock and his group.  It was the first time that country ever had jazz played there. Herbie Hancock also asked me to sit in with him at his concert at Disney Hall this weekend. Sheryl Aronson:  You are being honored tonight by weSPARK Cancer Support Center.  What does that mean to you? Alonzo Bodden:  weSPARK is a fantastic organization that provides care for cancer patients and their families.  I host their comedy shows and I love being a part of their family.  They’re thanking me tonight and I am humbled by it.  But I’m happy after we do this I get back to being a comic. Sheryl Aronson:  What have you been working on career-wise? Alonzo Bodden: I’m traveling and doing shows.  Right now I am working on a one hour special and that should be recorded by the end of the year.  I have a new CD out called “Man Overboard.” Sheryl Aronson:  How does comedy play a part in treating cancer? Alonzo Bodden: Comedy is a break from reality so people who are dealing with cancer, get to laugh.  You’d be surprised at the jokes they make about cancer.  It’s a way to break the tension helps them forget about what’s going on.  I’ve had people tell me that for an hour I forgot what was happening to me.  As a comic that’s the highest compliment you can receive.

The evening festivities included Alonzo Bodden being the Master of Ceremonies and injecting his comedy throughout the night.  Darryl Levine presented Alonzo Bodden with The Commitment to Care Award and Larry King was presented The Heart of weSPARK Award.  Wendy Liebman, James P. Connelly, and the legendary Jay Leno entertained everyone with their clever comedy routines.  Mark DeCarlo was successful at taking on the task for. raising funds for the Center through an auction. For more information about weSPARK Cancer Support Center go to: www.wespark.org All Photographs by Sheryl Aronson