# Pat Tomasulo Wants You To Laugh Your Face Off

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Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-block-club-chicago-podcast-3685203/pat-tomasulo-wants-you-to-laugh-your-face-off.md
Podcast: [The Block Club Chicago Podcast](https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-block-club-chicago-podcast-3685203)
Published: 2026-04-02T19:36:21+00:00
Episode link: https://its-all-good-the-block-club-chicago-podcast.simplecast.com/episodes/pat-tomasulo-wants-you-to-laugh-your-face-off-2mut2GQg
Audio file: https://cdn.simplecast.com/media/audio/transcoded/4b67569c-9b51-4285-820f-a5244ab668ca/7295b7d5-e3da-4a44-8389-7abb62c35c0c/episodes/audio/group/2b150a0c-f89b-415d-b16c-95dbb947407c/group-item/07b86337-4f19-4110-83a1-441b100a9bf8/128_default_tc.mp3?aid=rss_feed&feed=qM5NtVST
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Duration seconds: 1389

## Resource

WGN-TV personality Pat Tomasulo discusses using stand-up comedy to fund research for trigeminal neuralgia, a debilitating nerve disorder. The conversation highlights the impact of the 'Laugh Your Face Off' fundraiser in bringing visibility and diagnoses to a rare condition.

## Highlights
- Main idea: Comedy serves as a powerful vehicle for raising awareness and millions of dollars for the Facial Pain Research Foundation
- Medical insight: Trigeminal neuralgia is often described as 'the suicide disease' due to the excruciating, lightning-bolt-like facial pain it causes
- Practical takeaway: Public awareness campaigns can lead to life-changing medical diagnoses for patients previously dismissed by doctors
- Failure mode: Misdiagnosing facial nerve pain as dental issues can lead to unnecessary procedures that exacerbate the condition
- Impact metric: The 'Laugh Your Face Off' initiative has raised over $4.5 million to fund clinical trials and treatments

## Topics

Trigeminal Neuralgia, Charity Fundraising, Medical Research, Pat Tomasulo, Facial Pain Research Foundation, Chicago Philanthropy, Chronic Pain Awareness, Stand-up Comedy

## Chapters
- 1:00 — Comedy for a Cause: Pat Tomasulo discusses using his stand-up career to support his wife's fight against a chronic nerve condition.
- 3:00 — Understanding Trigeminal Neuralgia: An explanation of the anatomy of the cranial nerve and the intense, unpredictable nature of the pain.
- 6:00 — The Impact of Chronic Pain: How the condition limits daily life, from weather sensitivity to social isolation.
- 9:00 — The Danger of Misdiagnosis: The risks of treating facial nerve pain as dental issues and the difficulty of finding specialized care.
- 11:00 — Driving Research and Awareness: How the foundation uses funds to move treatments into clinical trials and increase public discourse.
- 14:00 — The Success of Fundraising: Reflecting on the millions raised and the growth of the 'Laugh Your Face Off' event in Chicago.
- 19:00 — Authenticity in Media: A brief discussion on the importance of authenticity in local broadcasting and community connection.

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## Transcript

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