History and Service Area

Gilda's Club, named for comedienne Gilda Radner of Saturday Night Live fame, was created because of her wish that no one face cancer alone. Gilda Radner was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 1986. After her death in 1989, co-founders Joanna Bull and Gene Wilder began the process to launch the first Gilda's Club in New York City.

Original cast of Saturday Night Live Gilda Radner

Our History

In 1999, four women living in the same desert community in Southern California were personally touched by cancer. Each had a family member or friend diagnosed with cancer and experienced the many feelings that accompany the diagnosis. Each felt the lack of having somewhere to go to learn what they needed to know to get proper treatment for their loved one and social and emotional support for themselves and their family members. They knew that they needed knowledge and support so they could help their loved one live with cancer, along with their family members and medical teams.

These four women, (left to right) Judy Wolfe, Phyllis Greene, Paula Berke and (front) Estelle Cooper became the dynamic co-founders of Gilda's Club Desert Cities. As professional women who had worked in social services and education, they knew the value of a support community where others understood, and they and their family members would not feel alone in their fears, confusion about treatment, and the daily challenges that occur when living with cancer.

From Devastation.....

.....To a bright, new Clubhouse!

From a burned-down 10,000 square foot building, artist Peter Salzmann's talent reflects a future Gilda's Club Desert Cities. The actual renovation began in the summer of 2003.

The winter of 2004 brought great joy and excitement as Gilda's Club Desert Cities opened it's doors in Cathedral City, California. As one of the four founders, Paula Berke stated, "After four long years of labor, we have achieved our goal! Our ten thousand square foot clubhouse is absolutely beautiful, warm and inviting to all. Thank you to our major donors and all of you who supported our fundraising efforts. Now we embark on the next phase, serving the people of this area who are living with cancer, as well as their families and friends."

Our Service Area

Gilda's Club Desert Cities is located in the Coachella Valley in the heart of the Southern California Deserts and the center of Riverside County. Riverside County is one of the fastest growing counties in California. The permanent population in the Coachella Valley has increased 129% since the 1990 census, from 122,000 to over 380,000 residents in 2004. Some of the cities comprising the Coachella Valley include: Palm Springs, Cathedral City, Rancho Mirage, Palm Desert, Indian Wells, La Quinta, Bermuda Dunes, Indio, Desert Hot Springs, Thousand Palms, Coachella, Thermal, and Mecca.

For more information about Gilda's Club Worldwide or our affiliates, click on www.gildasclub.org.

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