Hey, I have cancer.

[morganphillips]

Dear NYC improv folks:

Apparently I've got Hodgkin's Lymphoma. I've (temporarily?) moved back to my parents' house in California to start treatment. I'll be getting more details about prognosis, etc. over the next few days; I'm told that Hodgkin's is a pretty well-understood, easy-to-beat cancer, and it doesn't seem to have spread very far inside me. Stage II, for those of you who are experienced in this sort of thing. I feel fine, physically, if a little weak.

My parents have a sweet new iMac, with a built-in camera and iMovie. I will be using it to do a video diary on YouTube, in an effort to have as much fun with this Thing as possible. I'm hoping that the challenge of making new videos when I'm all chemo'd up will be a nice distraction. If I make an amazing recovery, it will be an inspiring success story. If I die (which seems very unlikely, at this point), then my saga will probably get a lot views, and I will be the posthumous King Of YouTube. So, a win/win situation.

My videos can be found at http://www.youtube.com/user/morgancancer. I guess this should be in the plugs section, technically, but I don't think I should get yelled at. Because I have cancer, and everyone has to be nice to me.

Cancer!

-Morgan Phillips

[Fred Garvin]

Morgan,

Good luck.

I don't know you, but I wish you the best in this fight. If a positive and healthy attitude correlates to beating it, you have a great start!

Fred

[Skinner]

This is horrible news.

I just can't believe such a crappy thing could happen to such a hansome man. Morgan, you are far too good-looking for this - I'm sure it'll clear up in no time.
Until then, we'll be pulling for you.

[BrendanMc]

Morgan, I'm so sorry to hear that.

You're one of the funniest people I've had the pleasure of working with, if even for a short amount of time.

I'm sending positive thoughts for you, and hoping for the best.

[Anna.]

Get well soon, Morgan.

[EthanK]

Morgan, I have never met you, but fight the good fight and kill cancer dead.

Also, the funnier you can make it, the better you will probably feel.

[benorbeen]

Nor do I know you, Morgan, but I imagine you are becoming a person who sees through all of the insignificant things in the world. You've just gained a super-power!

[Jenmac]

I don't know you, but please kick this thing in the ass.
xo

[ariscott]

morgan, i think the first time we met may have been that p. gwinn workshop last summer. don't know if you remember. we had to walk around the room and say hello to each other. and from your myspace page i see that you are in Duwende, which means there is a good chance i saw you perform at the Bottom Line several years ago. wow.

well, anyway, pretty please get better really soon and come back to NYC, ok? ok, good. it's settled.

[ProfessorKirk]

Holy crap, Morgan.

You're one hell of a talented guy, and I look forward to you kicking that cancer's ass.

[ThatGuySvën]

Saddening news. But your outlook and attitude are keeping me from getting too mushy. Keep your positivity and make best with what you've got. Your'e a great, funny, super-nice guy and I hope that you don't blame this on New York.

I'll be watching your progress via YouTube.

Best,
Steve

[sarahnowak]

That is awful news. I don't know you either, I'd be happy to hold cancer down while you punch it in it's stupid face.

[Whines]

This sucks. I'm glad you're telling people. It will let us be with you during this. As cool and funny as you are, you've got it beat already. I'll be watching the videos.

[ChrisGrace]

I'm not saying it's a good thing that you got cancer, cause it isn't. But the videos are astoundingly funny. I'm torn. I hope the cancer goes away but the videos don't.

[Hal Phillips]

I don't know what to say-- I hope this goes as well as it possibly can, so you can beat this shit and return to a life of doing improv and getting asked if you're my brother.

I'll be watching the videos. Good luck, man.

[ego amigo]

i am so sorry- i will watch and send positive healing rays

so far it's crazy delicious (edit- the videos are crazy delicious- the videos)

[R and R]

Hey Morgan--
Beat the shit out of that cancer. We're pulling for you! Then you can come back and beat the shit out of improv scenes (in a good way).
--Rachael

[bully]

Morgan,

You're amazing.

So much love,

Rachel

[Jesse's Name]

Hey, Morgan. I've done but one scene with you in a workshop then later ran into you as you enjoyed a Subway sandwich. Beat this like you beat that sandwich. By eating it then working on your laptop. Stay strong. Come back to New York.

Jesse

[Billy Merritt]

Kick it's ass!!

Cancer is a jerk.