The Gilda's Club Program

 “Imagine there being a wonderful place where you can laugh and cheer and not even think about cancer;  a place for support, a place not only for the person living with cancer, but for everyone around him or her dealing with the disease as well.” 

- Susan Haiplik, Gilda's Club Supporter

 

 ...Cancer support community...            ....Emotional and social support...         ...Free...

                        ...Warm & welcoming.....             ....Sharing wisdom, insight and experience...

...Join with others...                 ...As essential as medical care...         ....Purposeful daily living....

                                      ....Family as Team               ...Meeting Place...                   ...Fun!

Gilda’s Club is all this and so much more.  Each Gilda's Club offers a multi-faceted program that includes everything from social activities to learning experiences.  Family members or friends are invited to join in and experience the sense of community that is created behind the "red" door.  Here are some of the things that you can experience at Gilda's Club Simcoe Muskoka. 

Gilda's Club is a place where men, women and children and their families and friends can engage in a life-enriching, innovative program that fills an enormous void in the cancer care continuum.   It is a place to find inspiration in a community atmosphere with others who are facing cancer, whether newly diagnosed, receiving treatment, post treatment or as a family member or close friend. 

 
The Gilda's Club Program is comprised of three core components called the Basic III. These include: 
  1. Support and Networking Groups
  2. Lectures and Workshops
  3. Social Activities

Those participating in the core program can also benefit from periodic meetings with family and friends at any of the following sessions:

Family FocusTM The Family Focus meeting, which includes all individuals whom a member defines as family, is designed to enlist the entire family as a resource and help them learn together how to live with cancer. Facilitated by a trained staff member, the meeting also seeks to identify and discuss family beliefs about cancer, critical family issues and the identification of practical problems as well as solutions.

Team ConveneTM  Facilitated by a staff member, these two-hour sessions are requested by a person with cancer or a family member to create an active support network at the time of diagnosis and for any challenging situation that might arise. Sessions can include significant friends and family members, who join together to provide support for transportation, food preparation, childcare, etc.

NoogielandTM Noogieland is a part of the Gilda’s Club program for children and their families living with cancer. Each clubhouse has a special area where children meet and most Gilda’s Clubs also have activities for teens.

 

SUPPORT AND NETWORKING GROUPS

Support and networking groups provide opportunities for members to share their expertise with others who are also travelling on a cancer journey.  At Gilda's Club we believe that our members are the experts and shared experiences and wisdom can only benefit each member.

Support and Networking Groups include:

  • Wellness Groups: for adults with any type of cancer at any stage (whether newly diagnosed, in treatment or post-treatment)

  • Family Groups: for adult family members and supportive friends

  • Networking Groups: support for members sharing a common diagnosis. They meet monthly and are led by a licensed, knowledgeable professional depending on topics


LECTURES AND WORKSHOPS 

Lectures and Workshops offer our members opportunities to learn new skills and gather information on learning to live with cancer.  Perhaps even more than this is the empowerment that comes when learning provides an increased sense of control in one's life.  Members create ties of emotional and social support through shared activity and experience at the clubhouse.  Typical lectures could include such topics as "Speaking to your Children About Cancer", "Managing Pain", "Eating your Way through Chemotherapy" and "Current treatments for various types of Cancer".

Workshop topics range from "Cooking and Nutrition for Cancer" to "Art Workshops", "Music and Meditation", "Poetry and Writing"; "Yoga and Tai Chi" and "Make-up, Hair and Wig" workshops.

There are also special offerings for children and teens because 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. 

 

SOCIAL ACTIVITIES

Social activities are extremely popular at Gilda's Club.  Having a place to gather with people who are going through a similar experience builds community.  Join in the celebration of life through potluck dinners, holiday celebrations, Jokefests, comedy evenings, movie nights or karaoke (each Gilda's Club has different social offerings based on the interests of the members).

Here, we recognize that every one is impacted; yet, we also recognize that everyone’s journey of learning to live with cancer is different.

"Those living with cancer, as well as their family and friends, can participate in support groups, enjoy potluck dinners, create works of art, find solitude in peaceful rooms and join with others to celebrate life and experience the laughter, tears, joy and fears of everyday living, whatever the clinical outcome. This is the power of community that Gilda’s Club creates and our program is free of charge."

                                            -  Susan Haiplik, Gilda’s Club Supporter