Kirsten Michelle Cills Raised Funds for CF Foundation
The Los Angeles comedian headlined a performance at City Winery in Philadelphia to support research.
Updated on Sept. 23, 2026 in Comedy
Comedian Kirsten Michelle Cills performed at the Roses & Thorns comedy show in Philadelphia to benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. The event successfully raised $30,000 to help fund a cure for the condition.
Why it matters
The show highlights the intersection of personal advocacy and comedy, drawing attention to a disease that affects nearly 40,000 people in the United States. The funds support ongoing research into improving quality of life and survival for patients.
The Roses & Thorns event set a fundraising target of $30,000, with individual tickets priced at $50. Kirsten Michelle Cills, who lives with cystic fibrosis, manages her health regimen using approximately two dozen medications.
The players
Kirsten Michelle Cills
She is a 31-year-old comedian based in Los Angeles who lives with cystic fibrosis.
Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
This organization is a nonprofit donor-supported means of funding research for a cure for cystic fibrosis.
Chloe Radcliffe
She is a comedian who performed alongside Cills at the Roses & Thorns show.
Chris Gazzard
He is a comedian who joined the lineup for the fundraising event in Philadelphia.
The details
The performance at City Winery featured a lineup including comedians Kirsten Michelle Cills, Chloe Radcliffe, and Chris Gazzard. Cills, a 31-year-old performer who typically does six to eight shows per week, brought her personal experience with the condition to the stage.
Timeline
The Roses & Thorns comedy show took place on Thursday, September 24, 2026.
Industry Dynamics
The show illustrates the trend of independent performers utilizing their platform to bridge gaps in medical philanthropy, following the pattern set by the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation's clinical research pipeline. This reflects a broader shift toward celebrity-driven awareness campaigns in the comedy space.
Attendees supported the cause through a $50 ticket contribution that directly funded medical research. The event provided Philadelphia residents an opportunity to engage with a specialized comedy show while contributing to a national health goal.
The takeaway
Advocacy through art remains a powerful tool for generating both funds and public awareness for rare conditions. Patients like Cills are living longer than previous generations due to advances like Trikafta, making continued support for research increasingly vital.
Further reading
Discover more local performances and events in the Philadelphia Comedy section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Axios.
