Comedian Tracy Morgan brings heartwarming moment to cancer patients on Staten Island
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. (PIX11) -- Tracy Morgan certainly understands the power of humor, of laughter in the process of healing from illness and serious accidents.
Without the jokes, today, he put smiles on the faces of cancer patients in Staten Island. He showered them with love.
"Ok, be well,” he shouts to a patient behind a curtain. He blows a kiss and leaves, exclaiming, "I love you."
A benefactor of the newly opened Florina Cancer Center at Staten Island University Hospital, Tracy Morgan, made a surprise visit to lift the spirits of some 30 patients currently undergoing treatment.
With another "I love you" shoutout to a patient, Morgan explained, "I want to put a smile on their face. Things will be a little better. Let them know somebody in this world loves them. I'm glad to be here."
So was 59-year-old Thomas Sax, a lifelong fan who has been battling pancreatic cancer. He shared some cookies with his favorite comedian and a few laughs.
As he walked through the hospital, Morgan waved and threw kisses. He stopped momentarily to take pictures and posed with kids in the pediatric section.
In his colorful workout suit, Morgan went from room to room, providing a moment away from pain for the cancer patients, and he had a few words for their nurses.
"You put your lives aside to take care of people suffering every day. God bless you," he shouts while throwing them a kiss."
For this comedic genius who almost lost his life in a horrific accident that killed a close friend on the New Jersey Turnpike 10 years ago, the visit was a sobering experience. He said it put his life in the proper perspective.
"I don't care about being famous, having money," he bellowed. "I'm here where it's at." Tears filled his eyes as he asked, "Excuse me for getting emotional. Live your life and enjoy, "he added. Mentioning the traffic accident that almost killed him, Morgan said how grateful he is to still be alive. "That truck was doing 75mph." Looking up, Morgan declared, "He's still got things for me to do here." He paused and wiped tears from his eyes.
Even for a comedian, there can be a moment when the laughter is transformed into the emotional realities of life.