Gilda's Club Simcoe Muskoka FAQ's
Why Is Gilda´s Club Needed?
There is exceptional medical care available in our community as well as resources for people living with cancer. However, support groups are generally specialized, serving only people living with cancer or specific patient groups, often based on a type of cancer. Few services, if any, address the social and emotional needs of people living with cancer on an ongoing basis. Nearly all such classes and support groups leave out key participants in the cancer experience, namely, family members and friends. Finally, few programs are offered on a consistent and ongoing basis for teens and children.
Gilda´s Club fills this void and is a place to find inspiration in a community atmosphere with others who are facing cancer. The medical community treats cancer. Gilda´s Club affects your heart and soul… at no charge.
Who Was Gilda?
Gilda’s Club grew from the dream of Gilda Radner, the comedian best known for her work on television’s Saturday Night Live. As she navigated her own journey with cancer, Gilda reclaimed her gift of laughter, learned new strategies for living with cancer and gained a feeling of control when she joined with others who also had cancer. Her vision was to create a community of hope and inspiration for people with cancer and their families and friends that would be free-of-charge. Today, this dream has been fulfilled with 30 Gilda´s Clubs open and/or developing throughout North America.
What Goes On Behind The Red Door?
Gilda´s Club is a place where the focus is on living with cancer, where men, women and children—with their family and friends—can find inspiration and support in a community atmosphere. It is a place where emotional support and especially laughter will be accessible to everyone touched by cancer, free of charge. It is a place where you can be with friends to share triumphs, learn and grow, whatever the outcome.
What Does Gilda´s Club Offer to its Members?
As each cancer-related experience is unique, members are encouraged to "come as they are" to share their experiences and benefit from the collective wisdom that emerges from networking with an understanding community. Whatever the life experience, Gilda´s Club empowers people to regain control of their lives, broaden their social connections, build friendships and benefit from accessible resources.
Here are just a few of the offerings:
Support Groups:
Weekly groups for people with all types of cancer as well as their families and friends
Workshops:
Cooking classes, art workshops, stress reduction and exercise group
Lectures:
Guest lecturers with information and stimulating discussion on a wide range of topics
Social Activities:
Celebration of life through potluck dinners, holiday celebrations, Jokefests and more.
Who Needs Gilda´s Club Simcoe Muskoka?
Anyone living with cancer can visit the Gilda´s Club Simcoe Muskoka clubhouse, including children, teens/young adults, men and women with cancer, their families and friends. Gilda´s Club brings people together who are living with cancer. Whether you are looking for laughter, social activities, information resources or an understanding ear, Gilda´s Club is the place to learn how to live with cancer, whatever the outcome.
How Much Do I Pay For Membership?
All Program activities are FREE of charge and membership is open to anyone living with cancer along with their support network. Gilda´s Club Simcoe Muskoka serves all of Simcoe County, Muskoka - Parry Sound and area, Grey-Bruce and Dufferin Counties.
What About The Kids In My Life?
When cancer happens, it happens to the entire family and deeply affects children. Noogieland is specifically designed for children who have either been diagnosed with cancer, have a family member living with cancer or who have lost a family member to cancer. Noogieland offers support groups as well as the opportunity for kids to play and “just be kids”. Social activities are also available for teens and young adults.
Where is Gilda’s Club Situated?
Gilda´s Club Simcoe Muskoka is located adjacent to the future Simcoe Muskoka Regional Cancer Centre and Rotary Lodge, at 10 Quarry Ridge Road. This location enables the organization to fulfill its mandate of locating its clubhouse in a non-treatment environment, while maintaining close access to the future cancer centre and Rotary Lodge (the overnight accommodation for people from out of town who receive cancer treatment).
What is the Clubhouse Like?
The Clubhouse is designed to be welcoming and home-like environment featuring a comfortable, inviting community room; some smaller, more intimate rooms for groups; a fully-equipped kitchen; a dining area for sharing meals, laughter and conversation; a living room; an "It´s Always Something” room for quiet retreats; a resource library; a workshop area for creative expression; a play area for children; a gathering place for teens and young adults and often a garden/courtyard area.
