Program Description (What's Behind the Red Doors?)

Free Psychosocial (Social & Emotional) Cancer Support!

The Gilda's Club Desert Cities program provides many opportunities for members and volunteers to gather as a community for support, education and fun, in a beautiful, cozy atmosphere...Free of charge...

The program includes:

Free Cancer Support Groups

These are weekly group meetings for men and women touched by cancer, and are facilitated by a licensed or registered professional.

Wellness Support Groups are for members living with cancer,

Family/Friend Support Groups are for family members and friends of someone either living with cancer, or who are grieving the loss of a loved one.

Grupo de Apoyo en Espanol - Segundo y Cuarto Jueves de cada mes.

Long Term Survivor Groups are for those 1 or more years post-treatment

Grief and Loss Groups are for those that have lost a loved one to cancer. Such support groups provide time and space for members
to discuss and share their experiences with others also touched by cancer.

Group Rooms in the clubhouse have all been designed to reflect a warm, "home-like" atmosphere.

Free Cancer Networking Groups

These are monthly group meetings for people sharing a common diagnosis or interest. Current groups include Men's Networking, Women's Networking and Spirituality Networking.

Free Workshops

Workshops are experiential, hands-on activities, facilitated by a volunteer with expertise in a particular field. Examples of workshops which will be available at Gilda's Club are Yoga, T'ai Chi, meditation and relaxation, book club, various art classes, journaling, drumming, cooking and nutrition classes.

Workshops are open to members and volunteers. Guests who have been touched by cancer are welcome to come try out any of our workshops, but we encourage you to attend a New Member Meeting or a Volunteer Orientation, to acquaint you with all of the Gilda's Club Program opportunities. We are certain you will be excited about the uniqueness of our Customized Membership Plan, designed specifically to suit your interests.

Free Educational Lectures

Community experts will provide lectures on topics of interest to members. Doctors, nurses, social workers, nutritionists, inspirational speakers, comedians, as well as speakers on alternative treatments, "Spirituality and Cancer", "Organizing your Finances" and "Coping with Pain" for example. Lectures are generally held in the Community Room and are open to all current and prospective members and volunteers.

Free Social Gatherings

In the spirit of Gilda Radner, Gilda's Club Desert Cities values FUN as a part of our programming. Various social events will be held monthly - please watch the calendar for potlucks, holiday parties, movie nights, bingo, karaoke nights, joke fests, etc. The Community Room, dedicated to Dr. Sebastian George, is inviting with it's colorful furnishings, piano, cozy fireplace, and a beautiful hand-painted mural on the wall by local artist, Shelly Cannon.

Free Support for Children & Teens

Noogieland

Noogieland, named after the "noogies" that Bill Murray gave to Gilda Radner on Saturday
Night Live, is the wonderful play area for children touched by cancer. Construction and furnishings sponsored by a grant from the Toys R Us Children's Foundation, it alone is
reason to check out Gilda's Club Desert Cities. Noogieland provides a meeting place for children
ages 6-12 living with cancer, to give and receive social & emotional support.
Teens ages 13-19 touched by cancer are also welcomed at Gilda's Club, to share time and talents, and to just be together. The Teen Room offers a private area with foosball,TV, various table games, stereo, and comfortable, over-stuffed furnishings, generously donated by Legacy Rooms Express.

Free "Team Convene"

Any member at Gilda's Club Desert Cities can request to have a Team Convene meeting. This is an opportunity for a member to gather their support network for a meeting at Gilda's Club, along with a staff licensed / registered professional. Together the member and their support team (family members, neighbors, teachers, medical team, ect.) can make plans together for managing the details of life during times of illness or treatment.

Free "Family Focus"

Family Focus is a meeting that can be requested by a member and facilitated by a staff licensed/registered professional. This is an opportunity for a family to meet and talk together about the impact of cancer on their family. The Clubhouse provides a perfect, home-like atmosphere for family activities and meetings.

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