Gilda’s Club: The Power of Community
September 26, 2019
When we moved to Rochester 18 years ago, I knew precisely three people. Two of them were old friends of my husband’s and the other one was the bus driver who picked up my kids in the morning. I’m exaggerating a little, but that’s what it felt like moving to a new town.
My husband had his work. My children had school. But I had left behind not only my work but my community. It was up to me to find new friends, and most important, purpose.
Two years later, my dad died suddenly from a fall. And that’s when I witnessed the outpouring of support that was just part of the culture of the new place I called home. When people here in Rochester asked me where to make a donation in my father’s memory, I picked Gilda’s Club of Rochester.
I had no previous connection to Gilda’s Club other than my love of Gilda Radner and that I’d met the executive director and I liked her energy.
Since Gilda had died of ovarian cancer and my dad was an obstetrician/gynecologist — and so many women had come up to me at his funeral telling me of how he saved their lives from early detection of cancer — I figured it would be a fitting tribute.
About a month after his passing, the executive director called to ask if we could met. My mom was in town at the time, so she and the director of development came to us. They shared that so many donations had been made in my dad’s name that they wanted to meet to give gratitude and support.
That is at the very heart of Gilda’s Club: It exists to provide the support that comes exactly when you need it. During that meeting, I learned that Gilda’s Club had existed in Rochester for many years prior, as Cancer Action Network. And that its mission is to provide emotional support for all people living with a cancer diagnosis, well beyond what I had assumed.
Right then I decided to not just learn more but to join the board. I had found my purpose.
Sitting on the board and co-chairing Gilda’s Gala, and finding unique ways to build the organization’s funds and presence in the community, became my mission both personally and professionally.
Most importantly, I found one of the greatest gifts to my life: befriending and connecting with our co-chairs who were also new in town, the Geisers. Cherie Geiser passed away many years ago, but that friendship brought much joy because of our shared purpose — to use our talents and passion to support others with cancer in our community.
Today, Gilda’s Club still serves a hugely diverse population, impacting over 12,000 people each year. As led by Melinda Merante, Gilda's Club of Rochester envisions even greater partnerships to benefit those living with cancer in our community.
Eventually, I moved on from the board. But as I ponder the recent Heroes Ball honoring, among others, the nationally renowned Dr. Wende Logan Young and the upcoming 60th anniversary of the club, I realized how much the organization has made a difference not only for those it serves but for those who serve the mission.
When people ask me how to meet people when you are new in town, I tell them to volunteer. There’s no better way to find community while also making a difference in your community.
And if someone asks where to go to get the needed support after a cancer diagnosis, I always say, "Gilda’s Club." I may not have had cancer, but too many of my friends and family have. There is no better group to uplift and support patients and their families than those who are going through similar experiences.
As first published in the Democrat + Chronicle and on the USA Today Network