About Robert Hawke
Robert Hawke was diagnosed with thyroid cancer in May 2005 and was successfully treated 8 months later. During his recovery Robert began writing the stage show that would become NormVsCancer and, through intense collaboration with co-creator/director Michael Cohen, premiered it in Prague - just four months after his surgery.
Robert is proud to have received the award for "Best Solo Male Comedy" in the San Francisco Fringe for Norm Vs Cancer in 2007.
In 2010, Robert brought NormVsCancer to Toronto General Hospital and Princess Margaret Hospital, for audiences made up of doctors, nurses, allied health professionals, as well as cancer survivors and their families.
After meeting with Dr. Dante Morra of University Health Network (UHN), Robert became an active member of the Centre for Innovation in Complex Care (CICC), an interdisciplinary group committed to positive sustainable changes in health care.
Robert is co-lead of the CICC’s Patient Empowerment Program whose mission is to create and deliver unique education and empowerment tools to persons living with cancer. His work with the Patient Empowerment Program was praised in the Ontario Legislature by the Hon Deb Matthews, Minister of Health in the spring of 2010.
Robert is currently writing a book about getting through cancer and hopes to complete it in early 2011.
Additional Info
Robert Hawke…
- is an alumnus of famed comedy troupe The Second City, performing across Canada and internationally in the Second City National Touring Company.
- shared in a Canadian Comedy Award for the fully improvised musical "Showstopping Number”.
- shared in a Gemini Nomination for his work on SketchCom for CBC.
- was a co-recipient of the Tim Sims Encouragement Fund Award.
- lives in Toronto with his terrific wife and remarkably small dog.