October 19 celebration at City Winery NYC will mark a decade of bringing joy, connection, and emotional support to children and families in hospitals across the country
New York, NY September 30, 2026 –(PR.com)– Healthy Humor, the national nonprofit transforming pediatric healthcare through the healing power of play, humor and human connection, announced today that acclaimed actress, producer, and director Essence Atkins will serve as emcee of its 10th Anniversary Gala, A Decade of Delight, on Monday, October 19, 2026, at City Winery NYC.
Atkins has been a beloved presence on television and film for more than three decades, with memorable roles in Smart Guy, Half & Half, Are We There Yet?, Marlon, and Poppa’s House, among many others. She will next be seen reprising her recurring role this October on Hulu’s award-winning drama Reasonable Doubt, opposite Morris Chestnut. Atkins brings warmth, humor, and an unmistakable presence to a celebration honoring ten years of Healthy Humor’s impact on children and families.
Beyond her work on screen, Atkins has a deep commitment to empowering and encouraging young people and has also used her platform to advocate for health and well-being, including supporting campaigns to raise HIV/AIDS awareness and encourage education, testing, and action within communities.
“I’ve always believed in the importance of supporting the health and well-being of those who are most vulnerable,” said Atkins. “I’m also deeply committed to ensuring that young people are seen, supported, and given opportunities to thrive. Healthy Humor does both — bringing joy, comfort, and connection to children and families facing the unimaginable. I’m honored to help celebrate ten years of this extraordinary work and to support their efforts to reach even more children, families, and communities in the next decade and beyond.”
“We are absolutely thrilled to have Essence lead us through this milestone evening,” said Dina Paul-Parks, Co-Founder and CEO of Healthy Humor. “Her authenticity, wit, and natural ability to connect make her an ideal host for our celebration. More importantly, her commitment to using her platform to support stronger, healthier communities aligns beautifully with our belief that caring for people means caring for the whole person.”
The 10th Anniversary Gala will bring together leaders from healthcare, philanthropy, business, and the arts to celebrate a decade of Healthy Humor’s work advancing the recognition of emotional support and trauma-informed strategies as essential pillars of care. New York City Council Speaker Julie Menin will present the Hospital Partner of the Year Award to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, with Rick Luftglass, Executive Director of the Laurie M. Tisch Illumination Fund, presenting M&T Bank with the Corporate Partner of the Year Award. Christopher Bailey, Co-Founding Director of the Jameel Arts and Health Lab & Founder Emeritus, Arts and Health Program, WHO; and Deborah Kaufmann, Co-Founder and Director of Training and Education Emerita at Healthy Humor, will each receive the Michael Christensen Award. Leaders from Bloomberg Philanthropies, Versant Media, and the Children’s Hospital Association, among others, will join the celebration as well.
The event will take place on Monday, October 19, 2026, at City Winery NYC. Sponsorships, tables, and individual tickets are available here.
About Healthy Humor
Healthy Humor is a national nonprofit dedicated to advancing emotional support and trauma-informed care in pediatric healthcare through therapeutic clowning, play, and humor. Working alongside healthcare providers, Healthy Humor’s professional performers, known as Red Nose Docs, help children and families navigate the stress and uncertainty of hospitalization by creating moments of joy, connection, and relief. Through its 12 hospital-based programs across the country, Healthy Humor serves more than 500,000 children and families each year.
Contact Information:
Healthy Humor, Inc.
Dina Paul-Parks
212-739-0494
Contact via Email
www.healthyhumorinc.org
Marni Salup
The Salup Group
marni@thesalupgroup.com
Read the full story here: https://www.pr.com/press-release/980581
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