This week in Grand Rapids the wonderful Betty White came to town for Laughfest in support Gilda's Club which, most of you know, is a free cancer and grief support community offering children, adults, families and their friends emotional and educational support. It was a wonderful evening with an informal feel to it as Ms. White sat up on stage and casually chatted in front of an audience of over 2,000 people. She was not only funny but warm and kind hearted especially when she spoke about her late husband Allen Ludden who was a huge television personality best known for his emcee work on the game show Password. Allen died from stomach cancer just short of their 18th wedding anniversary in 1981. It was obvious that Allen was the love of her life as she never did marry again.

Gilda's Club is a remarkable organization founded in loving memory and honor of Gilda Radner, famous for her hysterical comedy work on Saturday Night Live. Gilda was married to Gene Wilder and sadly died from ovarian cancer in 1989. Her clubs were named after a quip from Gilda who said, "Having cancer gave me membership in an elite club I'd rather not belong to".

Unfortunately these two amazing women never met but imagine if they did? What a wonderful friendship that could have been full of support and most certainly side splitting laughter. Now that's something I'd gladly buy tickets to see...wouldn't you?

~Jo-Anne