February 2018

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I had never been to our Gilda Comes To You NYC Health + Hospitals/Kings County (KC) partner site before. As a staff member, I knew the boilerplate for the program - support groups, healthy lifestyle workshops & educational lectures for any cancer patient receiving treatment at the hospital as well as Gilda’s Club NYC (GCNYC) members. What I didn’t know was that a strong community had developed among program participants.

Perhaps this shouldn’t have been a surprise given that “community” is a fundamental component of the Gilda’s Club program. Maybe it’s because its location at a hospital made me expect something different. However, when I attended the Winter Wonderland holiday celebration held in December, it was anything but. In fact, it was like being in another room at our Clubhouse in the West Village. The members even self-dubbed themselves the Red Door Society.

A Day at

Winter Wonderland Celebration at NYC Health + Hospitals/Kings County in Brooklyn

Kings CountyBy Pontip Rasavong, GCNYC staff member

IN THIS ISSUE

Program Highlight: A Day at Kings County

A message from the CEO:Lily Safani

In the Spotlight: Monthly Groups

Clubhouse Member EventsNoogiefest

Winter Wonderland

Associate Board News

Development Update 22nd Annual Benefit Gala

Red Door Society Reception

Getting to Know: Migdalia Torres

Continued on page 3

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GildaGram Publication of the Development Office

Deborah K. Wilson, Director of Development Pontip Rasavong, Marketing & Communications Mgr

Gilda’s Club New York City, Inc. 195 West Houston Street • New York, NY 10014

(212) 647-9700 • development@gildasclubnyc.orgwww.gildasclubnyc.org • @gildasclubnyc

• Make an annual or recurring donation• Double your gift with a matching gift from

your employer• Attend or sponsor an event• Encourage your friends to donate or attend

an event• Join our Legacy Society with a planned gift• Hold your own fundraiser• Join our Bike or Marathon teams• Volunteer your time and skills• Become a Corporate Partner• Join our Associate Board• Follow us on social media

Ways to GiveHere are some of the ways you can show your sup-port of Gilda’s Club NYC.

GILDAGRAM - FEBRUARY 2018

Board of Directors Laura Bartlett, Chair

Rob Bocchicchio Faith T. CharlesRobert J. Easton

Robert C. Faulkner Carl S. Goldfischer, MD

Jennifer Hill Sofija Jovic, PhD

Mike Lee Ellen A. LubmanTsveta Milanova

Matthew R. Patterson Andrea F. Rabney

Jami Rubin Alexander Scott

William S. Slattery Ingrid Yin

Honorary DirectorMark J. Alles

Board Chair Emeritus Francis J. Russo

Associate BoardNeil Heckman, Chair

Jessica Serre, Vice-ChairDara Adams

Andrew Altschuler Elizabeth Berger

Nicole Braun Carrasco Mandy Cheuk

Elsa Di RuggieroTracey Doolin

Meghan Finlayson Lisa Friscia

Lindsey Girden Katherine Griffith Krista Gundersen Blaike A. Hannay

Devi Kinkhabwala Chelsey Lutz Kirby

Megan M. Knurr Devon Kraus

Andrew LevisonAshley Loesch

Alex ModellErin Nourijanian Hamed Nuraina Emily SanchezAri Schnitzer

Lauren ServideoWhitnee Shulman

Steven SmolynJohn SwitzerErica Thomas

Remi Tseng Katherine Wynkoop

Stefani Zien

Staff Lily Safani, CEO Migdalia Torres

Deborah K. WilsonNadine Bartholomew Christine Braunstein

Lissete Diaz Haley Feldman Michele Halusic

Nivia Herron Eileen Jackson

Ramona Maysonet Michelle Ramlochan

Pontip Rasavong Emily Riordan Esther Santiago Jamie ShapiroJessilyn Torres

Savannah Walker Maria Orband, Intern

MESSAGE FROM THE CEO: Lily Safani

The beginning of a New Year often makes you reflect on past years. I have been very lucky. My years at Gilda’s Club have been so rewarding, and in some ways, unexpectedly so.

When people ask me what makes Gilda’s Club so special, I never hesitate – it is our community. That single word resonates for me – it represents all the people I have met who have walked through our Red Door, who opened their hearts, shared their fears, their anger, their joy – each has taught me a new perspective on the meaning of life.

I look forward to 2018 knowing how fortunate I am to be part of such an incredible community of members, staff, volunteers and donors.

Thank you for being part of our community.

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Almost everyone in attendance that day was wearing red, which was pre-planned by the members. Cheerful conversations and banter filled the room while everyone enjoyed lunch together. Members sang along with carolers who put us all in the holiday spirit. Oncology and radiation nurses from the hospital were also invited and it was a delight to see the relationship between the members and the hospital staff. Overall, I had a great time.

New York City is a really big place. With about 8.5 million people spread across 302 sq.mi. (yes, I googled this), no two neighborhoods are alike. I myself, live in the suburbs of the Bronx and it’s definitely no West Village, Manhattan. Understanding this, I believe a major part of what made the King’s County group so strong is that they were able to come together though this common bond of cancer, right in the neighborhood where they live.

KC is located in the East Flatbush area of Brooklyn. It is about an hour long subway ride from the Clubhouse. On the 4th floor of Building C, there is a corridor that will take you to a Red Door, just like the one at the Clubhouse, which leads you to a group room dedicated to Gilda’s Club programming.

In early 2007, GCNYC developed a model for growth based on community satellite programs called Gilda

Comes To You, in order to expand our support community throughout New York City. KC opened their Cancer Care Center in 2010 to bring together their cancer care program under one roof which was previously spread out across multiple locations.

In 2012, Gilda’s Club NYC officially partnered with KC to bring its program of support to cancer patients at the hospital. Our Patient Navigator at the hospital provides cancer patients with information about our on-site programming and the benefits of psychosocial cancer support. As a result of this program’s success, we were

pleased to honor KC with the Gilda’s Club Community Partner Award at our 2017 Annual Benefit Gala.

Seeing the impact of our program in Brooklyn gave new meaning to the Gilda Comes To You program to me. There’s a difference between knowing and understanding something and I’m happy to say that I understand the importance of having this program in the underserved neighborhoods where people live and are receiving treatment.

Each year over 39,000 New Yorkers are diagnosed with cancer – a staggering number. Our goal would be to reach everyone in need of support, but for now, Gilda Comes To You is a step in the right direction.

GILDAGRAM - FEBRUARY 2018

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Noogiefest – our Halloween Spooktacular

Harry Potter was the theme for Noogiefest 2017 and was a huge success welcoming over 113 members, 29 volunteers, and 12 staff members on October 27th.

Arnie the Magician performed a very special Magic Show as Dumbledore and truly mesmerized all.

Our event preparation was kicked off the day before with help from our Associate Board and Turner Construction volunteers who helped magically turn the clubhouse into Hogwarts.

We’d like to thank Deborah Miller Catering, Amy’s Bread, Murray’s Cheese, Grandaisy, Inkwell, and Buck Consultants for their generous in-kind donations.

And of course, our extreme thanks to our generous corporate sponsors, Turner Construction Company and Roche Innovation New York, whose support made our “Hogwarts” Noogiefest possible.

Winter Wonderland

More than 136 members attended our Winter Wonderland 2017 social event at our Clubhouse on December 9th. Dinner, music, and a

special performance by Workshop A Capella made for a very lovely winter evening.

A special thank you to our corporate sponsor Eisai, who donated funds for the event as well

as provided volunteers to turn our Clubhouse into a beautiful Winter Wonderland and help out during the event.

We would also like to thank Magnolia Bakery and Starbright Floral Design for their generous in-kind donations to the event.

Clubhouse Member Events

GILDAGRAM - FEBRUARY 2018

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Monthly GroupsSpotlight:IN THE

GILDAGRAM - FEBRUARY 2018

Migdalia TorresExecutive Director of Program & Offsite Expansion

Migdalia has been with Gilda’s Club for 15 years and knows our program like the back of her hand. Get to know a little more about Migdalia:

1. Name three of your favorite hobbies or interests. I enjoy cooking, reading book reviews, and spending time with my family.

2. Where would go if you could travel anywhere in the world? The moon!

3. What is the last movie you watched? La Misma Luna (translation: The Same Moon)

4. Who would you want to play you in a movie? Alicia Vikander

5. Who is your hero and why? Martin Luther King, Jr. His bravery and courage to peacefully lead the civil rights movement is remarkable.

Are You a Corporation or Business Looking to Get

Involved?

Through the generous support of our corporate sponsors as well as individuals, Gilda’s Club is able to provide free social events, like Winter Wonderland and Noogiefest, Club Sparkle, Noogieland, support groups, educational lectures and more to thousands of cancer patients and their families. Several of our corporate sponsors help to underwrite aspects of our program, while others choose to sponsor one of our signature events, such as our Luncheon or Gala.

If you are a corporation or organization and are interested in getting involved, please contact Deborah K. Wilson, Director of Development for more information.

Monthly support groups are specialized groups that give members the opportunity to connect with one another about similar cancer-related issues or experiences.

They are a great way for members to discuss their cancer experience with a specified focus. Monthly Support Groups are open to all Gilda’s Club members.

Unlike the weekly support groups, these groups can be attended on an as-needed basis to accommodate the various schedules of our members.

We currently offer 11 unique monthly support groups, including one facilitated in Spanish. Examples of monthly support groups include: Caregiver Support Group, Living with Advanced or Metastatic

Cancer, Living with Prostate Cancer, and Young Adults Living with Cancer. All of our groups are facilitated by licensed mental health professionals.

For a listing of our current Monthly Groups, please

visit our website calendar at www.gildasclubnyc.org/calendar

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22nd Annual Benefit Gala Raises $1.2M+

GILDAGRAM - FEBRUARY 2018

Red Door SocietyReception

400 distinguished guests attended our 22nd Anniversary Benefit Gala at the Pierre Hotel on November 9, 2017 and honored Robert J. Hariri, MD, PhD, Founder, Chairman & Chief Executive Officer, Celularity, Inc.; Troy Cox, Chief Executive Officer, Foundation Medicine, Inc.; and our community partner NYC Health + Hospitals/Kings County.

Save the Date for our 2018 Gala: November 8, 2018

Photo 1: Ashley Landay, Member Speaker. Photo 2: Honorees L-R: Ernest J. Baptiste, Chief Executive Officer, NYC Health + Hospitals/Kings County; Troy Cox, Chief Executive Officer, Foundation Medicine; Robert J. Hariri, M.D., Ph.D., Chairman, Founder & Chief Executive Of-ficer, Celularity, Inc.

Associate Board Update

On February 22nd, Gilda’s Club will be hosting its annual reception for major donors with a presentation by CEO, Lily Safani. Donors who qualified for the 2017 Red Door Society have given a minimum of $2,500 in program funding to Gilda’s Club in the last calendar year and will receive a plaque on our Donor Wall.

In addition, we will be showcasing our updated 2nd floor, which is home to the library and support group rooms. Thanks to the generosity of a few donors, Gilda’s Club was able to install new wood flooring, paint, obtain new furniture, and update the 2nd floor kitchen and community space.

Membership The Associate Board has reached its capacity of 35 enthusiastic, dedicated young professionals. We welcomed newest member, Nicole Braun Carrasco, in January. Membership applications will continue to be accepted and reviewed for future placement. All applicants are considered a Friend of the Associate Board and invited to attend events and volunteer.

Day of Beauty The Associate Board hosted its annual Day of Beauty on Saturday, October 14, 2017 with more than 30 Gilda’s Club members attending an afternoon of hairstyling, makeup, and photos. Basically a fun, relaxing day at the beauty shop. Thanks to all of our hair (Lois, Suzette and Swara), make-up (Claire, Jessica and Alana) and photography (Nicole and Lisa) volunteers for donating their time and skills to making our members’ day!

The Gildie Awards - Save the Date!Mark your calendars for The Gildie Awards annual fundraiser to be held Wednesday, June 6, 2018 at City Winery!

More than 300 guests will enjoy live music, silent auction, food and drink. We are excited to announce our honoree this year is Broadway and television star, Krysta Rodriguez, whose advocacy through her blog, ChemoCouture, inspires and resonates strongly with young adults.

Volunteers & Members at Day of Beauty

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MARK YOUR CALENDAR

For more information about any of the listed events, please visit our website at www.gildasclubnyc.org or e-mail development@gildasclubnyc.org

February 19President’s Day

Clubhouse Closed

February 20-23 Youth ProgramClub Sparkle

February 26Lecture - Open to the Public

An Introduction to Jin Shin Jyutsu

March 22Special Event

Creative Art Exhibit

April 19Special Event

Volunteer Appreciation

May 6#TEAMGILDA

TD Five Boro Bike Tour

May 9Fundraising Event

Celebrating Women Benefit Luncheon - Tickets Available -

May 18 Youth Social EventFamily Fun Night

February March

April

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GILDAGRAM - FEBRUARY 2018

#TEAMGILDA

Bike! run!

Limited spots currently available on our TD Five Boro Bike Team and TCS NYC Marathon Team

bikeforgilda@gildasclubnyc.org gildaontherun@gildasclubnyc.org

Secure your spot today!

May

Gilda’s Club New York City 195 West Houston Street New York, NY 10014 (212) 647-9700www.gildasclubnyc.org

@gildasclubnyc #gildasclubnyc

Gilda’s Club New York City Mission: To Support, Educate, and Empower Cancer Patients and Their Families Our free comprehensive cancer program includes support groups, educational lectures and healthy lifestyle workshops for everyone  impacted by cancer – men, women, teens, and children.