"Laughter helped heal my grieving heart!"
Woman's World|November 25, 2024
After losing her mother to breast cancer, then receiving the same devastating diagnosis, Suzette Simon was heartbroken but refused to lose her sense of humor. Soon, she made it her mission to use joy and laughter to help other women find true healing
Gina Roberts-Grey
"Laughter helped heal my grieving heart!"

Strolling out of her annual mammogram on New Year's Eve in 2019, Suzette Simon was full of hope and promise. She was preparing to dive into a new project at work and relax over the holiday break. But just two weeks later, her world was shattered by three words: You have cancer.

As the doctor's words swirled in her mind, Suzette was barely able to focus while she tried to process the news. The diagnosis was especially devastating and frightening after she had watched her mother lose a five-year battle with breast cancer in 1990.

Only 20 years old at the time, Suzette felt helpless as her mother's life was cut short by the disease. Now, 30 years later, she was terrified she was on the same path.

Spreading love

Suzette had been heartbroken after losing her mother. But instead of allowing fear and grief to overtake her life, she turned to the one thing she always knew could lift her spirits-making people laugh. As far back as she could remember, Suzette had a passion for entertaining, comedy and seeing the joy light up the faces of her family, friends and co-workers. She felt most alive when she was able to help brighten dark days and lift their spirits.

Working as a TV producer and casting director, Suzette was able to combine her professional experience with her love for humor. She began utilizing stand-up comedy routines, storytelling and breast cancer awareness song parodies to help her through her grief after her mother's passing.

This story is from the November 25, 2024 edition of Woman's World.

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This story is from the November 25, 2024 edition of Woman's World.

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