Hunter Doherty Adams— better known as “Patch” Adams visited on Wednesday cancer patients in a Lima-based hospital with the aim to convey a message of optimism and happiness.
The world-renowned doctor and clown mesmerized patients telling them stories of people that despite having the disease learned to be happy with the power of compassion and laughter therapy, which he spreads worldwide through his charitable organization Gesundheit.
"My job is to love, be loving and help those who suffer," Doherty told patients who attended a symposium aimed at providing specialized information about cancer.
On Tuesday, Patch published a heartfelt goodbye to his friend and actor Robin Williams, who passed away on Monday at age 63.
Williams portrayed Patch Adams in the 1998 film of the same name.
"The terrible news of the passing of Robin Williams reached me here in the Peruvian Amazon late last night with tremendous sadness. Surrounded by over 100 friends and clowns on our annual clown trip here we mourn this tragic loss and continue to treasure his comic genius," he wrote on Facebook.
He continued, "I’m enormously grateful for his wonderful performance of my early life which has allowed [Adams’ charitable organization] Gesundheit to continue and expand our work. We extend our blessings to his family and friends in this moment of sadness."
Williams earned a Golden Globe nomination for his portrayal of the unorthodox doctor/clown.
Adams and a team of wonderful volunteers have been in Iquitos in the Peruvian Amazon as part of Gesundheit's annual humanitarian tour aimed at bringing humor to orphans, patients, and other people, damaged by violence and injustice.
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Published: 8/14/2014