Latest News - February 21, 2010
Cancer Support Community Colorado
Cancer Support Community Colorado, a nonprofit corporation whose mission is to help people affected by cancer enhance their health and well-being through participation in a professional program of emotional support, education, and hope, is being established in the Denver metro area. The mission is supportive of and in addition to medical care.
We will be the Colorado affiliate of Cancer Support Community, an international organization resulting from the merger of Gilda’s Club Worldwide and The Wellness Community, two nonprofits that have led the movement to provide social and emotional support to all people touched by cancer. Cancer Support Community has nearly 50 local affiliates and over 100 satellite locations, and is the largest community-based organization in the U.S. providing evidence-based psychosocial services to people affected by any type of cancer – patients and their caregivers, family and friends. Research shows that quality psychosocial care that addresses the emotional, social, spiritual and financial challenges associated with cancer is critical for patients to have optimal clinical outcomes.
Gilda’s Club Denver has been an affiliate of Gilda’s Club Worldwide, which was created in honor of Saturday Night Live comedian Gilda Radner, who died of ovarian cancer. We are transitioning Gilda’s Club Denver to become Cancer Support Community Colorado.
We will receive our charter and launch Cancer Support Community Colorado in February. Our services will include professionally-led support groups, educational and healthy lifestyle programs, and networking opportunities for individuals affected by any type of cancer, and will be delivered through numerous hospitals, oncology practices, health care providers and community organizations at sites throughout the Denver metro area. In the future we will explore opportunities to serve people throughout Colorado. All services are offered at no cost to the participants. Community feedback indicates our services will be a needed and welcome complement to what is currently available for people affected by cancer in the Denver metro area.
Current Status
Thanks to a generous contribution from Exempla Saint Joseph Hospital, Cancer Support Community Colorado is co-located in the hospital’s Comprehensive Cancer Center at 1825 Marion Street in Denver. We are developing the business plan, creating the organizational infrastructure, and raising the necessary funds to establish a thriving affiliate. We plan to hire a Program Director early in 2010 and begin providing programs throughout the community shortly thereafter. Cancer Support Community Colorado will seek to raise funds through individuals, foundations, corporations and other organizations, and will explore other revenue generating opportunities as appropriate.
The Wellness Community and Gilda’s Club Unify to Provide Support to All People Affected By Cancer
This week a leader in the cancer community emerges, thanks to final steps uniting two well-known non-profits. The Wellness Community and Gilda’s Club Worldwide will unveil their new, combined identity – the Cancer Support Community – at a landmark Cancer Summit on Saturday, November 7. The Cancer Support Community will likely be the largest professionally-led network of cancer support worldwide.
As the number of cancer survivors in the United States surpasses 12 million, the demand for support services throughout the continuum of care is increasing. The Cancer Support Community is poised to help meet these needs through their innovative and comprehensive offerings to those affected by cancer.
“Our common history and commitment to the cancer community is what brought us together,” said Kim Thiboldeaux, president and CEO of the Cancer Support Community. “This union creates a strong, vital, global network that will bring the highest quality cancer support to the millions of people touched by cancer.”
These offerings include a comprehensive menu of personalized and essential services, including support groups, counseling, education and healthy lifestyle programs. Additionally, the organization is working to expand its vital services to meet the urgent needs of cancer patients and their loved ones. To ensure no one has to face cancer alone, these support services will soon be available to people in all 50 U.S. states and internationally through the Cancer Support Community’s network of community-based centers, and at hospitals, community oncology practices and other non-profits, as well as online. The Cancer Support Community is also exploring the use of novel technologies, including mobile, to help extend the reach of these meaningful resources.
“As a cancer survivor, I understand the emotional and social impact of this disease,” said Ted Kennedy, Jr. “So does the Cancer Support Community. The organization’s work is critical as it helps optimize patient care by providing essential, but often overlooked, services that complete the cancer care plan.”
Many people experience distress due to cancer, but very few take advantage of emotional and social support services. In 2007, the Institute of Medicine issued a groundbreaking report, Cancer Care for the Whole Patient, declaring psychosocial support an essential part of cancer care. This report validated what the two organizations have known and worked hard to deliver for more than 45 years combined. The Cancer Support Community will continue to build upon this legacy, helping people live better by empowering them to identify and address their individual needs and connecting them to a supportive community.
“From my perspective, the marriage of these two respected organizations marks one of the most significant events in the cancer non-profit community this year,” remarked Kennedy.
The Cancer Support Community is now the largest employer of psychosocial oncology mental health professionals in the United States. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., the organization includes a network of nearly 50 local Gilda’s Clubs and Wellness Community centers worldwide, more than 100 satellite locations and online support services that extend around the world. For more information about the Cancer Support Community, visit www.cancersupportcommunity.org.
About the Cancer Support Community
Backed by evidence that the best cancer care includes emotional and social support, the Cancer Support Community offers these services to all people affected by cancer. Likely the largest professionally-led network of cancer support worldwide, the organization delivers a comprehensive menu of personalized and essential services. Because no cancer care plan is complete without emotional and social support, the Cancer Support Community has a vibrant network of community-based centers and online services run by trained and licensed professionals. For more information, visit www.cancersupportcommunity.org.
In July 2009, The Wellness Community and Gilda’s Club joined forces to become the Cancer Support Community. The combined organization provides high-quality psychological and social support through a network of nearly 50 local affiliates, more than 100 satellite locations and online.
Statement from The Wellness Community and Gilda’s Club
The headquarter offices of The Wellness Community and Gilda’s Club are pleased to announce that as of July 1, 2009, we have joined forces to become the largest provider of psychosocial cancer support in North America and will be extending our reach to even more people affected by cancer. Our combined organization will also be the largest employer of psychosocial oncology support professionals, advancing the idea that psychosocial care is as important as medical care in the face of a cancer diagnosis. Both Gilda’s Club and The Wellness Community have grown extensively during our combined 45 year history to make a significant difference for people affected by cancer. Both organizations have also established solid, reliable reputations in the cancer community and share an unwavering commitment to quality, integrity and services based on the best research available to move our respective and complementary agendas forward.
In 2007, The Institute of Medicine (IOM), part of the National Academies in Washington, DC, released a report entitled, “Cancer Care for the Whole Patient: Meeting Psychosocial Health Needs.” This report is a defining affirmation of the work of both The Wellness Community and Gilda’s Club. The report states that today’s cancer care does not adequately address the emotional, social, spiritual, or financial challenges associated with the disease. The report emphasizes that quality psychosocial care is critical in order for patients to have optimal clinical outcomes. The report goes on to state that community-based organizations are a crucial part of the health care delivery system and need to be better incorporated into the continuum of care.
Together, Gilda’s Club and The Wellness Community will become the largest community-based organization focused on advancing the recommendations of the IOM report. The combined organization will be comprised worldwide of nearly 50 local affiliates, 12 affiliates in development and over 100 off-site and satellite locations. Both organizations will be formally integrating over the next few months, however, during this period, there will be no disruption of services at any Wellness Community or Gilda’s Club. As we continue to work towards integration, we are confident that this joint venture will help us reach our goal to serve 1 million people affected by cancer by 2012 and continue to empower individuals to take active roles during treatment and beyond.
On November 7, 2009, The Wellness Community and Gilda’s Club will host a Cancer Summit in Washington, DC, to formally introduce the newly unified organization and vision. People with cancer, survivors, caregivers, health care professionals, and health care leaders will be invited to this milestone event, which will mark a new beginning of the highest quality cancer support for the millions of people facing this disease.
National Cattlemen's Beef Association Host Their 15th Annual Memorial Golf Tournament, August 27, 2009
Once again - the folks at the National Cattlemen's Beef Association are hosting their 15th Annual Memorial Golf Tournament, benefiting Gilda's Club, Agrability and the Listen Foundation. I've attached a brochure for your review - hopefully you will review this information and have an opportunity to participate in this fun event as a golfer, sponsor and/or auction donor!
We have some exciting news - developing details taking place regarding Gilda's Club Denver, and I look forward to filling you in in the next few weeks as to what that means for our community and our on-going efforts to open a clubhouse here in the Denver Metro area! Stay tuned!
Tournament is on Thursday, August 27, 2009. Please RSVP by August 19. Contact info regarding the tournament is on the brochure.
