Adult Activities

Support & Networking Groups

Gilda’s Club offers a wide array of support groups for people with cancer, family members and friends, children and teens, and survivors.  These support groups provide an ongoing and shared exploration of emotional and social issues related to living with cancer and its effects ,and an opportunity to explore deeper individual and common issues. The networking groups bring together members that have a specific type of cancer or common interest (such as facing a cancer recurrence). These more specialized groups provide a forum for discussion, sharing, exchange of practical advice and problem-solving.

Lectures & Workshops

Gilda’s Club provides its members with opportunities to acquire new skills, tools, and information to learn how to live with cancer.  Recognized experts in a variety of fields volunteer their time to provide lectures and workshops at the Clubhouse.  Lecture topics may include: current treatments for specific cancers, managing pain, living with chronic fatigue, health insurance, bereavement and more.  Workshop topics may include: cooking and nutrition for cancer, yoga, journaling, makeup, hair and wig demonstrations and more.

Social Activities

At Gilda’s Club, social activities are among our most popular offering.  As a specialized gathering place, societal pressures often associated with cancer disappear and are replaced with fun, enjoyment, sharing and a sense of community.  Everyone in the room provides a direct example of how to live with cancer.  Without Gilda’s Club, people often find family and social encounters uncomfortable.  They encounter taboos against talking about cancer, as well as well-meaning but misplaced calls for fortitude or faith, making social situations awkward and strained.  As a social gathering place for those living with cancer, Gilda’s Club offers performances by members, music, dance, movie nights, joke nights, karaoke nights and potluck dinners. "Everything the Club offers is something that will help your body, your mind and your spirit."

Additional Program Components

A ph&d program® is designed for long-term cancer survivors to share with others the issues involved with living with cancer for the rest of their lives.

Family Focus® groups bring people together to explore emotional and family issues with the aim of helping the family learn together how to live with cancer.  Sessions are facilitated by Gilda’s Club staff members and can be requested by a member at any time.

Team Convene® groups help family and friends who are willing to give practical support to a member by identifying areas where assistance is needed and developing a plan of action.  These sessions are facilitated by Gilda’s Club staff members.

When our clubhouse is open, we'll offer an array of programs. Take a look at our sample program calendar.