Katy Franco

I am a cancer survivor, an actress, a certified laughter leader, and a stand-up comic. I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2005. It wasn't easy to fight it, but I did so with a positive attitude and a sense of humor. Love, laughter and a lot of character were my recipe for healing.

When I finished my treatment, my husband Ken Phillips and I began turning my personal story about cancer into a universal tale of hope and inspiration, based on the Cinderella myth. The central message of our book, CHEMORELLA, is that no matter how terrible your life may seem, you can always count on the love of the people around you to help you overcome your troubles. In our story, Chemorella's friend tells her, "everyone who knows you, loves you."

Today I use my stand-up comedy, laughter techniques, and performances of CHEMORELLA to bring this message of hope and love to people who have been touched by cancer.