Milestones
BRINGING GILDA’S CLUB TO SIMCOE MUSKOKSA
Just a few years ago, Gilda’s Club Simcoe Muskoka was the hope and dream of a group of committed people including founding President, Patricia Gilbert, borne out of the recognition that people touched by cancer also need social and emotional support as a complement to the medical treatment they receive. Because of this group’s dedication, the dream is evolving into a reality.
Since 2001, Gilda’s Club Simcoe Muskoka has:
- Gained charitable status (September 2003)
- Recruited a dedicated Board of Directors made up of leading members of the community
- Recruited top medical professionals to join the Medical Resource Council
- Received affiliate status with Gilda’s Club Worldwide (May 2003)
- Initiated a planning study with Ketchum Canada Inc. (October 2005)
- Completed a Sustainability Report through Arlett van Rotterdam partnership (January 2006)
- Initiated a Capital Campaign to raise $3 million to open Gilda’s Club Barrie Ontario
- Secured land on Quarry Ridge Road adjacent to the future Simcoe-Muskoka Regional Cancer Care Centre at Royal Victoria Hospital and Rotary Lodge (Fall 2008)
- Raised $2.1 million in cash, pledges and gifts in-kind (2/3 of the goal)
- Broke ground in Spring 2009
- Completed construction in May 2010
- Welcomed the first members through the Red Door on May 26,2010

