Beverly Hills Fundraiser Aids Cancer Center

Funnymen Paul Reiser and Jay Mahr led the lineup at the annual comedy fundraiser for weSPARK, held at the  June 16.

The event raised money for the weSPARK Center, located in Sherman Oaks, which provides support for cancer patients and their families. Services not covered by health insurance—from yoga to support groups to cooking classes for children who want to participate in an activity with their parents—are covered free of charge.

The fundraiser also featured comedian Wendy Liebman from Showtime’s Taller on TV, actor Steve Valentine and magician Dana Daniels. The three-hour show was hosted by Alonzo Bodden, winner of the television program Last Comic Standing.

The center was founded in 2001 by actress Wendie Jo Sperber, who was diagnosed at age 39 with stage one breast cancer. Sperber lost her battle with cancer in 2005.

“Through 12 years of service, we’ve learned at weSPARK that laughter has the power to heal,” said Nancy Allen, the executive director of weSPARK. The organization uses comedies to raise money as a tribute to comedian Burt Sperber, Wendie’s father.

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