Gilda's Club Language

We choose to use words such as living with or touched by cancer. At Gilda's Club people are living with cancer, not victimized by it. At Gilda's Club, numerous ways to learn to alleviate unnecessary suffering are regularly offered. One of our goals is to create an environment in which people learn ways of living, fully and well, whatever the outcome may be.

We offer activities that are energizing and help develop a sense of personal control; we encourage those who have a positive outlook to express it, while making plenty of room for the full expressions of other feelings.

At Gilda's Club, we take care to avoid words that convey or reinforce misconceptions about cancer. Here are some examples of Gilda's Club language:

People living with cancerNOTCancer victims or patients
Regaining control & well-beingNOTDoing battle, struggling with cancer or fighting for recovery
Club membersNOTClients
Cancer support communityNOTCancer support group
A warm and welcoming clubhouseNOTA safe haven
Learning skills and gathering informationNOTReceiving education
A place to express a full range of feelingsNOTA place to "stay positive"