Hannibal Buress, Nikki Glaser and More Bring the Laughs at Annual IMF Fundraiser

Each year since 2007, the International Myeloma Foundation has thrown a fundraising gala called the IMF Comedy Celebration to work towards a cure for Multiple Myeloma, one of the fastest growing blood cancers in the world. The event benefits the IMF’s Peter Boyle Research Fund, started by Loraine Boyle, wife of the late actor Peter Boyle (Everybody Loves Raymond), who passed away from MM in 2006 after a four-year battle with the disease. Each event is a star-studded evening that brings out various comedians for a great cause, and this year’s gala was no different.

LOS ANGELES, CA – NOVEMBER 04: Marc Maron and Robert Klein at the International Myeloma Foundation 11th Annual Comedy Celebration at The Wilshire Ebell Theatre on November 4, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Araya Diaz/Getty Images for International Myeloma Foundation)

Comedians in attendance this year were Ray Romano, who has hosted the event for the past ten years, Hannibal Buress, Nikki Glaser, Rachel Feinstein, Marc Maron, Fred Willard, Robert Klein and Iliza Shlesinger, as well as actors like former Everybody Loves Raymond co-star Patricia Heaton and Fresh Off the Boat’s Howard Hesseman Throughout the night, the comics each took the stage to crack up the crowd for an unforgettable night of comedy and good will. “Almost didn’t do this show, almost didn’t do it,” said Buress during his set. “Not because I don’t care about the cause, but sometimes I just like to donate, because comedy is subjective, and I’m not for everybody, and I can’t think of anything worse than bombing at a cancer benefit.” Luckily for Buress and the rest of the comics that night, nobody bombed.

 

 

For those interested in red carpet festivities, you can check out the whole pre-gala red carpet arrival on the IMF’s Facebook page, found here. If you’d like more information about MM or the IMF’s work, you can visit their website.

LOS ANGELES, CA – NOVEMBER 04: (L-R) Iliza Shlesinger, Rachel Feinstein, Nikki Glaser at the International Myeloma Foundation 11th Annual Comedy Celebration at The Wilshire Ebell Theatre on November 4, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Araya Diaz/Getty Images for International Myeloma Foundation )

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Bill Tressler

Bill is a writer and comedy enthusiast from New York. An avid gamer and podcast fan, he strives to always toe the line between charming irreverence and grating honesty.
Bill Tressler
Bill Tressler
Bill is a writer and comedy enthusiast from New York. An avid gamer and podcast fan, he strives to always toe the line between charming irreverence and grating honesty.