Inspiring Comedian and Pancreatic Cancer Survivor

For 40 years, Wendy had the privilege of working as an actor on stage, screen, and television. She played a rattled flight attendant with Larry David on Curb Your Enthusiasm; was featured on Oprah as a comic, and toured the country as a stand up for three decades. As an actress, she’s played nuns, nudists, psychics, therapists, and borsht belt comics. Then, when she turned 54, Wendy was handed the most challenging part of her life – the role of a pancreatic cancer patient.

Nine + years later, she is alive and thriving, excited to share what she’s learned with anyone who needs and wants to hear the lessons. Her keynote talk on surviving and thriving, I BROKE UP WITH CANCER, is an uplifting, funny AF, life affirming testament to honoring and celebrating our precious lives.

Her talk FIFTY SHADES OF GRAY HAIR, is an honest and empowering ride into the next and most delicious chapters of our time here, a conversation on why getting older is a gift, not a liability.

Wendy says, “My life may be different  than what I had originally imagined, but I can unequivocally say it is better post cancer, and in my 60’s, than ever.”

Turns out after playing all those parts, the role she enjoys the most is the part of a thriving human being!

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I Broke Up With Cancer

This is a funny, inspiring real deal talk from actress and comedian and pancreatic cancer survivor and thriver Wendy Hammers. From diagnosis to “break up”, Hammers delivers her story with humor, insight and optimism, reminding us that cancer is a master class in self – love. Warning: There will be dancing.

Hammers says, “In the end, I had to end it with cancer. We weren’t a good fit. We wanted different things. Like, for example, I wanted to live. Really live”.

This talk includes 8 principles for surviving and thriving – breaking down the lessons learned and gifts received as a result of her dance with cancer. This conversation is uplifting and full of hope and is designed for two groups of people:

1. Those who have had or currently have a cancer diagnosis and their loved ones

2. Those who have never had it and want to benefit from one who has.

Wendy is tickled at the prospect of sharing her experience, strength and hope.

Fifty Shades of Gray Hair

With sassy, silver – haired wisdom, Ms. Hammers reflects on the blessings of aging, why getting older is a gift, and how the rest of our lives can be the best of our lives.

On aging, Hammers jokes: “Half the time I no longer care what people think, and the other half of the time, I can’t remember”.

We will laugh, dance, and celebrate the lives we have right now. Hammers is 65 years young, just getting started, and her optimism, perspective and zest are infectious. This spirited talk is a portal; a place through which we can enter the next chapters of our lives, with fun and possibility, not fear and dread. Getting older is fantastic, and so much better than the alternative.

This talk includes a brief but powerful writing exercise that the audience will do as a community.
 

Giggling with The Girls: Laughter for Women of All Ages

Wendy Hammers has been entertaining and inspiring audiences for forty years. As a national touring stand up comic, actress, and keynote speaker, she delights in connecting with women and creating an environment where they feel good about themselves and the women around them. Come for the laughs, leave with confidence and conviction.

NOTE: Any of these talks can be delivered in 30 or 45 minutes versions, plus a lively Q & A.