Quick Facts for the Media

Mission:

The Gilda’s Club mission is to ensure that all people impacted by cancer are empowered by knowledge, strengthened by action, and sustained by community.

What is Gilda’s Club Desert Cities?

Gilda’s Club Desert Cities is an affiliate of the Cancer Support Community, the nation’s largest non-profit organization providing free cancer support services throughout the United States and worldwide for over 30 years.

Gilda’s Club is a welcoming community of emotional, social and educational support for everyone living with cancer in the Coachella Valley. People of all ages, with any type and stage of cancer, as well as their caregivers, family members and loved ones thrive in the nurturing environment of Gilda’s Club. They benefit from a full program that includes professionally led cancer support groups, fitness, nutrition and expressive arts classes, educational lectures and workshops, and social activities.

The entire Gilda’s Club program is offered completely free of charge, thanks to successful fundraising events and the generous support of foundations, corporations and individuals—whose contributions stay right here in the Desert Communities.

Gilda’s Club History:

Gilda’s Club is named for the zany Saturday Night Live comedienne, Gilda Radner, who herself benefited from cancer support groups when she had ovarian cancer.

Gilda’s Club Desert Cities was founded in the year 2000 as a truly grassroots effort led by Palm Desert residents Paula Berke, Judy Wolfe, Estelle Cooper, and Phyllis Greene. Their dedicated fundraising efforts came to fruition when the Clubhouse opened its welcoming doors in Cathedral City in November, 2004.

Governance:

Gilda’s Club is a 501c(3) non-profit organization (Federal Tax Number 33-0911108) that derives its funding principally from individuals, foundations and corporations, and from special events.

Paula Kennedy is Gilda’s Club Desert Cities President and CEO, and Litsa Mitchell, LMFT, is Program Director. The current Chairman of the 14-member Board of Directors is Susan L. Shankman. The organization is also guided by a Medical Resource Council and a President’s Council, the majority of whose members are former Directors.

For more information on Board of Directors, click here.

The Five Core Elements of the Gilda’s Club Program:

Cancer Support
(Professionally led support groups for patients, caregivers, children, the bereaved)
Education
(Lectures and workshops presented by professionals)
Healthy Lifestyles
(Mind-body stress reduction such as yoga, tai chi,meditation; expressive arts such as arts and crafts, writing, performing arts; nutrition education)
Social Connections
(Potlucks, parties, family events, meals, entertainment, special events)
Resources and Referrals
(Library, community resources, Internet access)

Special Program Features:

Evening Support Groups:
In addition to its full daytime program of cancer support, Gilda’s Club now has a weekly support group program held on Thursday evenings. This evening program—the only one of its kind in the Coachella Valley—is a boon to working individuals and families.

Programs in Spanish:
Currently, support groups and activities are conducted in Spanish as well as English by a professional facilitator at Gilda’s Club Mecca and Thermal locations. Future plans call for Spanish-language programming to be offered at the main location in Cathedral City as well.

Noogieland:
Noogieland is a warm, supportive environment for children where kids of all ages can talk about cancer—or not—and cancer doesn’t have to be a secret. Whether they themselves are cancer patients or it’s their parent, grandparent or sibling who has cancer, Noogieland really helps reduce the children’s fears.

Teen Essay Contest:
Each spring, Coachella Valley public and private high school students have the opportunity to enter the “It’s Always Something” Teen Essay Contest. In their essays they are able to relate their experiences and express their feelings of living with cancer, whether their own or that of a close friend or family member. The top three winners receive monetary awards to assist them with their future education.

For more information about all of our Programs, click here.

Getting Started (Membership):

Gilda’s Club free programs of cancer support are open to all residents of the Desert Communities whose lives have been affected by cancer. All it takes to get started is to attend an orientation that includes a tour and overview of the program. A qualified professional helps each person select just the right support groups and activities for them. (This individualized program is known as a CMP, Customized Membership Plan.)

Orientation meetings are held twice weekly:

Every Wednesday at 1:15 pm
Every Thursday evening at 6:00 pm
Calling ahead to reserve a place in the orientation is advised—760-770-5678.

For more information on Membership, click here.

Benefits of Participating in Gilda’s Club Programs:

In 2007, the Institute of Medicine issued a report that stated: “Today, it is not possible to deliver good-quality cancer care without addressing patient’s psychosocial health needs.” In fact, the Institute concluded that in the face of a cancer diagnosis, social and emotional support is as important as medical care. Research shows that those who participate in the Gilda’s Club program have improved partnerships with their health care teams and an increased sense of well-being.

Gilda’s by the Numbers:

13 different, professionally led cancer support groups are offere
More than 500 wellness activities and educational lectures are presented annually
Since Gilda’s Club opened in 2004, more than 1500 individuals have received services
More than 600 men, women, children and teens are served annually
166 program and fundraising volunteers—many of them cancer survivors -- support Gilda’s Club programs and activities, contributing 10,000 volunteer hours per year
In FY 2010-2011, 5000 people were reached through community outreach

Major Fundraising Events:

A variety of fundraising events is held each year in support of the Gilda’s Club mission. Traditionally, the three biggest are the Gilda’s Gift of Giving boutique, silent auction, luncheon and fashion show, held in November; an Entertainment Night held in the spring; and a springtime luncheon held by Friends of Gilda’s Club—Sun City.

For more information on fundraising events, click here.

Volunteering:

Gilda’s Club has volunteer opportunities of all kinds, ranging from providing office support to preparing and serving meals at social events and representing Gilda’s Club at community health fairs and other outreach events. Prospective volunteers consult with the volunteer coordinator to match their skills and interests with available opportunities.

For more information on volunteering, click here.

Locations and Hours of Operation:

Main location:
67-625 E. Palm Canyon Drive
Cathedral City, 92234

Phone:
760-770-5678

Fax:
760-770-5667

Winter hours (October through April):
9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday
(Evening programs on Thursdays)

Summer hours (May through September)
8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday
(Evening programs on Thursdays)
Closed Fridays

“Gilda’s on the Go” off-site locations:

Palm Desert
(Sun City)

Mecca
(Mecca Family Resources Center, 91-275 66th Ave., Suite 100)

Thermal
(Jerry Rummonds Memorial Senior & Community Center, 87-229 Church Street)

Website:
www.gildasclubdesertcities.org

Social Media:
Facebook
Twitter

Media Contacts:

Paula Kennedy, President/CEO
Office: 760-770-5678 ext. 109
Cell: 760-835-3335
pkennedygcdc@dc.rr.com

Anita Roark, Public Relations Consultant
Office: 760-770-0922
Cell: 760-424-9639
aroark@dc.rr.com