Joy Therapy

The Anything For A Smile “Joy Therapy” hospital program began in Turkey in 1997 with weekly clown, music and art therapy for children suffering from leukemia at Cerrahpaşa Hospital in Istanbul. It was the first of its kind in Turkey, using “joy therapy” (following world-famous Dr. Patch Adam's model) for children with leukemia. Medical science shows that laughter releases benevolent chemicals, and this positive force boosts the immune system and chances of survival. We have had much positive feedback from the hospital staffs and families of the patients. The children eat better, and test results are consistently higher after the program. We expanded in the year 2000 to Balcalı Hospital Adana and are now in our 15th year. To date, nearly 300 volunteers have received training as a part of this project, and several volunteers have begun volunteer programs of their own.

“Heal the body by delighting the mind & lifting the spirit”