Q: WHO IS GILDA’S CLUB NAMED FOR?
A: Gilda’s Club is named for comedienne Gilda Radner, of Saturday Night Live, who died from ovarian cancer in 1989.

Q: WHAT HAPPENS AT GILDA'S CLUB?
A: Men, women, teens, children and their friends and families meet to learn how to live with cancer, whatever the outcome.

Q: WHAT KIND OF ACTIVITIES TAKE PLACE?
A: Support and networking groups, lectures, workshops and social events, a children's program -- all adding up to a "support community."

Q: IS GILDA'S CLUB RESIDENTIAL?
A: No, but each freestanding clubhouse has a home-like atmosphere where members can relax and feel comfortable in a non-medical setting.

Q: DO I NEED TO PAY FOR MEMBERSHIP?
A: No, everything at Gilda’s Club is completely free of charge.

Q: IS GILDA’S CLUB ONLY FOR WOMEN?
A: No! Gilda’s Club is for men, women, teens and children.

Q: IS GILDA’S CLUB JUST FOR WOMEN WITH BREAST AND OVARIAN CANCER?
A: No! Gilda’s Club is for men, women, teens and children living with any kind of cancer and their family and friends.

Q: IS GILDA’S CLUB ONLY FOR SOMEONE WHO IS LIVING WITH CANCER?
A: No, family and friends are welcome to join Gilda’s Club. When cancer happens it happens to the whole family.

Q: DO YOU OFFER ANY KIND OF BEREAVEMENT GROUPS?
A: Yes, we offer weekly support groups and those who have lost someone to cancer are also a full member of Gilda’s Club and can take part in any of the workshops, lectures and social events that we offer.

Q: IS GILDA’S CLUB FOR KIDS TOO?
A: Yes, Gilda’s Club has a special program for children and teens called Noogieland. Noogieland is for children who are living with cancer themselves, have family members who are living with cancer or who have lost someone to cancer.

Q: CAN A FAMILY MEMBER OR FRIEND COME WITH ME?
A: Yes, you are welcome to have membership partners join Gilda’s Club with you in order to support you through your experience.

Q: DO YOU NEED TO BE IN TREATMENT TO BECOME A MEMBER?
A: No, Gilda’s Club is for people in various stages of the cancer experience. Our ph & d (Perspectives, Helping Hands and Discovery) component of the program is specifically for those who are looking for support around living long term with cancer. We have a networking group that is for members who have been out of treatment for more than one year. Our members can also choose to seek alternative treatment modalities or be on hospice while participating at Gilda’s Club. You do not need to be receiving active treatment in order to become a member. Our only requirement is that you are looking to build social and emotional support while living with cancer. If you are more than one year out of treatment and do not need social and emotional support, you may want to pursue becoming a volunteer.

Q: DO I HAVE TO BECOME A MEMBER IF I COME TO A NEW MEMBER MEETING?
A: No, there is no obligation at all to attending a New Member Meeting.

Q: WHAT IF THE PERSON IN MY LIFE WHO HAS CANCER WON’T JOIN, CAN I STILL BE A MEMBER?
A: Absolutely. Family and friends are welcome to become members even if the person who is living with cancer does not want to or cannot join.

Q: IS THERE PRESSURE TO BE "POSITIVE" AT GILDA'S CLUB?
A: Absolutely not. Gilda's Club is based on respect for every person's way of living with cancer.

Q: DO I HAVE TO JOIN A SUPPORT GROUP?
A: No, every member picks and chooses what program elements they will participate in at Gilda’s Club. There is no pressure to attend any particular group or activity.

Q: CAN I SEE A THERAPIST OR ATTEND A SUPPORT GROUP SOMEWHERE ELSE AND STILL COME TO GILDA’S CLUB?
A: Absolutely. Gilda’s Club is an essential complement to whatever medical treatment you are undergoing.

Q: HOW DO YOU GET YOUR FUNDING?
A: Gilda’s Club is a 501c3 non-profit organization. Funding is solicited from individuals, corporations and foundations.

Q: CAN I SEND IN A DONATION?
A: Certainly. You may send us a personal check or credit card information.

Q: WHAT IF MY COMPANY WANTS TO DO A FUNDRAISER AND DONATE THE PROCEEDS TO GILDA’S CLUB?
A: They can hold a third party event that would be coordinated with Gilda’s Club staff.

Q: DO YOU PROVIDE TRANSPORTATION?
A: No, we do not. However, members network with each other and often can secure transportation through other members. You are also welcome to take public transportation as Gilda’s Club is centrally located and close to public transportation. You are also welcome to take other types of medical transportation.

Q: DO YOU HAVE INDIVIDUAL COUNSELING?
A: No we do not do any kind of treatment at Gilda’s Club; however members are welcome to engage in counseling outside of the clubhouse in addition to the program elements that they are participating in at Gilda’s Club.

Q: CAN YOU GIVE ME A REFERRAL TO A DOCTOR OR OTHER TREATMENTS?
A: No, we do not offer referrals. Gilda’s Club is not affiliated with any hospital or cancer organization and we do not endorse any particular kind of treatment. Members often discover important information about available resources through networking with other members. Gilda’s Club also holds monthly lectures on a variety of topics to provide an opportunity to obtain information about a wide range of topics. There is also a resource library with Internet access where you can find much information.

Q: DO YOU ACCEPT DONATIONS OF WIGS?
A: No we do not, however organizations such as the American Cancer Society does.

Q: DO YOU MAKE REFERRALS FOR HOME HEALTH AIDES?
A: No we do not, however we do have information on local community resources in our library, you may locate this information through networking with other members or you can follow up with the social worker at your treatment facility.