Giggles, comedians come to aid of ailing Knox

SAUGUS – The people who know comedian Kevin Knox the best say he has never said no to a charity or a fund-raising event and that is why they are banding together to help him in his time of need.Knox, who has touched almost every comedian’s career in the Boston area, is gravely ill battling cancer.Comedians Don Gavin, Steve Sweeney, Lenny Clarke, Bill Burr, Johnny Pizzi and Tony V. have come together to offer their comedic talents in a fund-raiser for Knox Tuesday (7:30 p.m.) at Giggles in Saugus.”Kevin is such a great man,” Pizzi said Thursday afternoon. “He has touched so many people and everyone has a Kevin Knox story. Never once has Kevin complained about being sick. He has always kept a smile on his face and we all want to come together so the last thing he has to worry about is his finances.”Tickets to the event are $30 and, according to Pizzi, the donation includes pizza that has been donated by the Castraberti family of Prince Pizzeria. Doors for the special event, that will feature at least 12 comedians, open at 6.”Kevin Knox is the most courageous guy I have ever met,” Lenny Clarke said. “He is one of the kindest, sweetest men in the world. All we want to do is help Kevin any way we can.”Clarke said he would be flying in to Boston Tuesday night after filming an episode of “Rescue Me” to make sure he would be there.”I am just sick about Kevin being sick,” Clarke said. “This is a guy I have known for more than 20 years.”Knox, who played Giggles back in July, said at the time, “Comedy is starting to take all kinds of twists and turns these days and I understand that but I am definitely old school. I will be on stage to make you laugh, not educate you ? Everyone needs to laugh considering where things are these days.”And that is exactly what Knox’ contemporaries intend to do Tuesday night, make everyone in attendance laugh and raise money for their friend at the same time.