(Courtesy of RCCS) Cancer care and comedy are an unusual combination, but on Thursday June 30, Rofeh Cholim Cancer Society (RCCS) will be bringing comedian MODI, voted one of the top 10 comedians in New York City by the Hollywood Reporter, to Englewood’s Congregation Ahavath Torah for a live show.

“If there is any organization that needs laughter brought into their work, then this is it,” said MODI from his home in Manhattan. “RCCS does amazing work, and I’m so happy to be doing this,” he continued. “Ahavath Torah in Englewood is a gorgeous place for this event and I’m very excited and looking forward.”

RCCS is hoping that people will come out and enjoy a great evening of entertainment, while at the same time support their life-saving services.

“This whole idea started three months ago at a meeting of the RCCS Bergen County Founders at our home,” said David Markowitz, who has been actively involved in RCCS’s successful ice-hockey tournament for many years. “Aviva and I were very positive when we were first approached by National Director Rabbi Aron Steier, who felt strongly that it was time for Bergen County to open its own office and get the word out about how RCCS can help so many more people suffering with this terrible disease. We got a group of 12 people together, some of whom had never heard of RCCS but wanted to help, and that night we all put together a plan to increase our exposure in this community,” he said. “We have seen time and time again how RCCS has used their close relationships with senior cancer specialists around the country to guide families who felt so lost and overwhelmed after receiving a cancer diagnosis and have assisted tremendously with the financial side too.”

But what exactly is the message that Rabbi Steier, David, Aviva and the founders group want people to hear? Rabbi Dovid Cofnas, the new regional director of development, said it has a lot to do with how RCCS views this catastrophic illness.

“RCCS has been around for 25 years now, and they have been very successful in maximizing the recovery of cancer patients and saving lives all over the USA and in Israel, and I think it’s because we look at the fight with cancer as a war. The only way we have a chance at winning this war is to have the very best weapons and tools to fight with, and that is what RCCS offers its 3,700 patients,” he said. “Over many years dealing with thousands of cases, and doctors all over the country, our team of cancer care specialists are able to give our patients the information, advice and referrals that will give them the best chance of survival.”

RCCS also provides the critical service of covering the medical insurance bills for its patients, which can come to tens of thousands of dollars per year for a family.

“Paying medical insurance premiums is one of the things that make RCCS truly unique – no other organization offers this service and it’s another powerful weapon in our fight,” said Cofnas. Patients are also eligible for additional medical subsidies that can cover co-pays, co-insurance and out-of-pocket expenses as well as emergency medical grants.

Another major component of RCCS’ financial services is insurance advocacy, which is crucial given the number of claims that insurance companies deny.

“We have a team fighting denials, and in the last 12 months, we’ve recovered nearly $12 million through our advocacy work. Patients who don’t need financial support can still benefit from this tremendous service that we offer,” said Cofnas.

“There is a reason that RCCS calls themselves ‘the ultimate resource for cancer patients,’ and I truly hope that people will learn about RCCS and take advantage of what they are offering. We all know someone who is suffering, and chances are that RCCS can help.” said Markowitz. “I know that these services can save lives.”

The MODI live show will take place at Cong. Ahavath Torah in Englewood on Thursday June 30. Doors open at 8 p.m.; show starts at 8:30 p.m.. To purchase tickets, go to www.MODI4RCCS.org

For more information or for questions, please email [email protected] or call (201) 575-9080.