| Ever hear of a "Jollytologist?"
Well meet the world's one and only -- Allen Klein. Through his
books and presentations, Klein shows people worldwide how to
deal with everything from traffic jams to tragedies. He shows
people how to add humor to some not-so-funny stuff.
 Klein
got into this unusual line of work after his wife died of
a rare liver disease at the age of 34. He saw how humor helped
her, and those around her, cope. He also saw how humor helped
him get through that loss. He now teaches others how to find
it during trying times. Klein has a master's degree in humor
(from St. Mary's College in Minnesota -- and that's no joke!)
and he is well suited to his subject.
Years before becoming a "Jollytologist,"Klein was
nicknamed the "King of Whimsy" because he designed
all the children's shows at CBS television in New York City.
Among those productions was one you probably remember: the
Captain Kangaroo show.
Although no longer working in the light-hearted world of
children's television, Klein still believes that adults need
to take a lesson from kids and lighten up. His interactive
presentation at the U-M Cancer Center's Survivors' Day Celebration
will focus on the healing power of humor. It will be an afternoon
of indoor fun, including an information fair on survivorship
issues and door prizes.
This event is being held in conjunction with celebrations
of life in more then 700 communities throughout the nation
and elsewhere as part of the 16th annual National Cancer Survivors
Day Celebration. A "survivor" is anyone living with
a history of cancer -- from the moment of diagnosis through
the remainder of life.
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