joes
Ottawa Cancer Foundation ambassador Angie Poirier: ‘Find moments of laughter, even in the darkest times’
Laughter and levity may not solve life’s problems — and that goes for the high-profile cancer battle recently experienced by Angie Poirier‘s family — but they can go a long way toward helping us cope.
A sold-out crowd of 350 came ready last night for comic relief during The Ottawa Cancer Foundation’s annual Laugh for the Cure with headliner Julie Kim.
Headliner Julie Kim, a Korean-Canadian comedian, performed at Laugh for the Cure in support of The Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Many of the attendees were there to cheer on their friends, family members and colleagues as they stepped out of their comfort zone to perform comedy for, in many cases, their first time. Over the winter, the amateurs — affectionately dubbed “Joes” — created five-minute sets under the coaching of the “Pros” while also working to raise funds for the cause.
Together, the participants raised more than $70,000 — the highest total in the event’s three-year history. Of that, more than $33,000 was raised by chartered professional accountant Rolland Vaive, managing partner at Vaive and Associates. He actually volunteered to participate, rather than wait for someone to ask.
He was “super thrilled” with how his set went, recalling the nerves he felt before stepping up to the mic and the “indescribable” elation he experienced afterward.
Structural engineer Brian Johnson, vice president at BPA, felt “very blessed” after his own network rallied to pledge more than $28,000. One of his supporters, Tony Cook, project director with PCL Construction, told CiTC how inspired he was by all the amateur comics’ courage in performing in front of a large audience. But, was it the point of wanting to try it himself? “God no!” he quickly replied.
The roster of Joes also featured Derek Antoine, senior manager of government relations at Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation; broadcaster, author and professional fundraiser Sam Laprade, host of An Hour to Give with Sam Laprade; and local foodie and blogger Melissa Mui. The “Pros” consisted of Rick Currie, Alastair McAlastair, Michael Lifshitz and Pierre Brault.
Cancer foundation volunteer Matt Jacques, a realtor with Royal Lepage Performance Realty, was back as the energetic emcee of the comedy show while Ashley Greco and Gord St. Denis from Bell Media’s PURE Country 94 Morning Show officially welcomed the crowd. Sponsors also included law firms Emond Harnden and Kelly Santini LLP, and Optimal Show Experience.
Chartered professional accountant Rolland Vaive, managing partner of Vaive and Associates, performed stand-up comedy at Laugh for the Cure in support of The Ottawa Cancer Foundation. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Structural engineer Brian Johnson, vice president at BPA, performed stand-up comedy at Laugh for the Cure in support of The Ottawa Cancer Foundation. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Broadcaster, author and professional fundraiser Sam Laprade, host of An Hour to Give with Sam Laprade, performed stand-up comedy at Laugh for the Cure in support of The Ottawa Cancer Foundation. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Ashley Greco and Gord St. Denis from sponsor Bell Media’s PURE Country 94 Morning Show, with Jodi Hamilton, operations manager at Bell Media, at Laugh for the Cure in support of The Ottawa Cancer Foundation. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Derek Antoine, senior manager of government relations at Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, performed stand-up comedy at Laugh for the Cure in support of The Ottawa Cancer Foundation. Photo by Caroline Phillips
From event sponsor Optimal Show Experience: company president Peter Gilroy, Livia Zheng and Joey Gunn at Laugh for the Cure in support of The Ottawa Cancer Foundation. Photo by Caroline Phillips
From left, 2024 Laugh for the Cure participant Sean Bawden, a partner at sponsor Kelly Santini LLP, Ottawa Cancer Foundation’s president and CEO, Deborah Lehmann, and Kelly Santini LLP partner Don Burke
Ottawa foodie and blogger Melissa Mui of @melshangrytable performed at the Laugh for the Cure fundraiser. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Matt Jacques, commercial realtor with Royal LePage Performance Realty, emceed the comedy portion of The Ottawa Cancer Foundation’s Laugh for the Cure. Photo by Caroline Phillips
The “Joes” weren’t the only brave souls to grace the stage that night. Former broadcaster Angie Poirier, now community ambassador for The Ottawa Cancer Foundation, did an outstanding job sharing her family’s rollercoaster of a cancer journey (it attracted the support of Canadian-born actor and entrepreneur Ryan Reynolds, who was featured in a humorous video played at the event, where he also congratulated the cancer foundation on its 30-year anniversary).
Poirier has spent the past year at the side of her son, Nash Cote, while he battled rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare and aggressive type of soft tissue cancer that accounts for only three percent of all childhood cancers. His treatment included numerous rounds of chemotherapy over the course of a year, as well as a two-month relocation by the family to Boston while he received targeted proton radiation therapy.
The awful news came shortly after Poirier attended the 2024 Laugh for the Cure. Nash was only eight at the time. “If there’s one thing I learned over the past year, it’s that you have to find moments of laughter, even in the darkest times.”
She described how her role as mom expanded to nurse, advocate, therapist, medical researcher, teacher and bodyguard. She shared how her son’s illness took a toll on her own health. “My self-care became drinking cold coffee, googling medical terms at 2 a.m. on my phone under a blanket in the hospital.
“You quickly learn that cancer doesn’t just attack the patient; it takes a swing at the whole family. Siblings suddenly feel lost in the shuffle, marriages are tested, nobody knows what to say to you. But, amidst the fear and exhaustion, something incredible happens: our kids. They show us what true resilience looks like. Despite the IVs and infusions, the endless pokes and prods, and days when he could barely lift his head, my son never stopped trying to be a kid.
“He cracked jokes with the nurses, he made friends with other kids on the oncology floor and, somehow, managed to find joy in the smallest moments.”
Former broadcaster Angie Poirier shared her family’s cancer experience at The Ottawa Cancer Foundation’s Laugh for the Cure fundraiser, held at Rogers Centre Ottawa on Thursday, March 27, 2025. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Poirier reminded everyone of the importance of having adequate support beyond the hospital walls. “That’s where places like The Ottawa Cancer Foundation come in. The Foundation isn’t just a building, it’s a lifeline. It’s where families like mine find guidance, emotional support and the reassurance that you aren’t navigating this terrifying road alone.”
Nash, who just turned nine, recently rang the cancer bell to symbolize the end of his treatment. “It was the first time in a long time I’ve let myself exhale,” said Poirier, recognizing that her son will remain an oncology patient for life, undergoing regular scans that will leave her with a chronic case of “scanxiety.”
Said Poirier: “Tonight, as we share laughter and joy, let’s also share hope, because no family needs to walk this road alone. And, most importantly, let’s celebrate the resilience of every cancer patient, every person who refuses to let cancer define them.”
So moving and heartfelt was Poirier’s speech that Ashley Greco wiped away tears while thanking her.
Ashley Greco, on stage with her PURE Country 94 Morning Show radio co-host Gord St. Denis, got emotional while thanking Angie Poirier for sharing her family’s cancer story at the Laugh for the Cure benefit for The Ottawa Cancer Foundation. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Tricia Ross, director of special events and engagement for The Ottawa Cancer Foundation, with volunteer fundraisers (left) Ed Hensen (president of the
Ottawa stand-up comedian Pierre Brault performed at the Laugh for the Cure fundraiser. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Business leader Brian Johnson (centre), who performed stand-up comedy at Laugh for the Cure, with (left) Paul Knowles (senior vice-president and district manager of PCL Construction) and Tony Cook (project director at PCL Construction), both of whom attended to support Johnson. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Professional comedian Michael Lifshitz performed at the Laugh for the Cure fundraiser for The Ottawa Cancer Foundation. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Isabella Schwartz announced her family’s $1,000 donation to The Ottawa Cancer Foundation as her dad, cancer survivor Stu Schwartz, recorded her remarks on his phone at the Laugh for the Cure fundraiser. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Professional comedian Alastair McAlastair performed at the Laugh for the Cure fundraiser. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Shirley Westeinde celebrated her 84th birthday with family at Laugh for the Cure, including (from left) daughter-in-law Susan Finlay, granddaughter Savannah Westeinde, daughter Julie Westeinde and youngest son Jonathan Westeinde. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Professional comedian Rick Currie performed at the Laugh for the Cure fundraiser. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Ottawa businessman and first-time stand-up comic Rolland Vaive — seen with supporter Nav Aggarwal, CEO of Arjshiv Investments — was much, much funnier than reflected in his photo, taken at The Ottawa Cancer Foundation’s Laugh for the Cure stand-up comedy fundraiser. Photo by Caroline Phillips
The Ottawa Cancer Foundation’s new community ambassador, Angie Poirier, with the organization’s president and CEO, Deborah Lehmann, and Laugh for the Cure emcee Matt Jacques. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Chartered professional accountant Rolland Vaive, managing partner of Vaive and Associates, performed stand-up comedy at Laugh for the Cure in support of The Ottawa Cancer Foundation. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Laugh for the Cure emcee Matt Jacques with amateur stand-up comic Sam Laprade. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Professional comedian Michael Lifshitz performed at the Laugh for the Cure fundraiser for The Ottawa Cancer Foundation. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Professional comedian Pierre Brault performed at the Laugh for the Cure fundraiser for The Ottawa Cancer Foundation. Photo by Caroline Phillips
From left, Dr. Chloé Ward (The Ottawa Clinic) with LE Strategies business development and marketing consultant Liz Ellwood, Ottawa Cancer Foundation community ambassador Angie Poirier, and Tahera Mufti, director of communications for the Office of Mayor Mark Sutcliffe, at the Laugh for the Cure fundraiser. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Organizers and participants of Laugh for the Cure gather on stage at the end of the evening for a group shot, complete with funny novelty disguises. Photo by Caroline Phillips
This article is made possible through sponsorship from Star Motors, WCPD, Marilyn Wilson Dream Properties, ExecHealth, Infinity Convention Centre, Altis Recruitment, Bell Canada and First Avenue Investment Counsel.
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