The Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids program provides many opportunities for members and volunteers to gather as a community for support, education and fun. The program includes:

• Support Groups – These are weekly group meetings for men and women with cancer, and are facilitated by a licensed or registered professional. Wellness Support Groups are for members living with cancer, and Family Support Groups are for family members and friends of someone living with cancer. Such support groups provide time and space for members to discuss and share their experiences with others also affected by cancer.

• Networking Groups – These are monthly group meetings for people sharing a common diagnosis or interest. Gilda's Club Grand Rapids currently has networking groups for blood, breast, brain, colorectal, lung, gynecological, prostate, end of treatment, blood transplant and people in their 20's and 30's.

• Workshops – Workshops are experiential, hands-on activities, facilitated by a volunteer with expertise in a particular field. Examples of workshops currently available at Gilda’s Club are yoga, T’ai Chi, book club, art classes, quilting, and cooking classes. Workshops are open to members and volunteers.

• Lectures – Community experts will provide lectures on topics of interest to members. Doctors, oncologists, nurses, social workers, nutritionists, inspirational speakers, comedians, as well as speakers on alternative treatments, "Spirituality and Cancer", "Organizing your Finances"' and "Coping with Pain" for example. Lectures are all scheduled in the evening hours and may be accompanied by a light supper.

• Social Gatherings – In the spirit of Gilda Radner, Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids values FUN as a part of our programming. Various social events will be held monthly – please watch the calendar for potlucks, movie nights, bingo, karaoke nights, etc.

• Noogieland – Noogieland, named after the noogies that Bill Murray gave to Gilda Radner on Saturday Night Live, is the wonderful play area for children affected by cancer. Decorated throughout as a castle and fantasyland, it alone is reason to check out Gilda's Club Grand Rapids. Noogieland not only provides space for Super Saturday, a meeting for children ages 6-12 affected by cancer. Teens ages 13-19 affected by cancer are also welcomed at Gilda's Club, to share time and talents, and to just be together.

• Team Convene – Any member at Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids can request to have a Team Convene meeting. This is an opportunity for a member to gather their support network for a meeting at Gilda’s Club, along with a staff licensed/registered professional. Together the member and their support team (family members, neighbors, teachers, medical team, etc.) can make plans together for managing the details of life during times of illness or treatment.

• Family Focus – The Family Focus is a meeting that can be requested by a member and facilitated by a staff licensed/registered professional. This is an opportunity for a family to meet and talk together about the impact of cancer on their family.

To become a member of Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids, please call and register to attend a New Member Meeting (and ask for a monthly calendar for times and dates of activities.). You are welcome to bring a family member or friend with you to this meeting if you would like. Everything – from membership to program activities at Gilda’s Club – is free.