Gilda Radner was diagnosed with ovarian cancer on October 21, 1986, and died at the age of 42 on May 20, 1989. Her legacy is the pantheon of her comedic characters, her films with husband Gene Wilder and her work on Broadway including “Gilda Radner Live from New York.”

As Gilda and Wilder fought a valiant fight to save her life, they recognized that there was a missing link in the care system… a place to go for non-clinical, non therapeutic support. They recognized that what was missing was a place where others like themselves could share experiences and knowledge, have fun and forget their troubles and yes, even a place where they could cry.

In 1995, Wilder, together with Joel Siegel, Mandy Patinkin, and Joanna Bull, who was Gilda’s cancer psychotherapist, founded Gilda’s Club, in memory of and inspired by comedienne Gilda Radner. During the past six years, 20 new clubs have been started in major cities throughout the United States and Canada.

Each year, an average of 13,103 adults and 48 children are diagnosed with cancer in the Capital Region and surrounding counties – that means that on average 36 people are diagnosed with cancer every day in our region (New York State Cancer Registry). Thousands more already live with a cancer diagnosis, and deal with the issues of being a cancer survivor or struggle with the loss of someone they cared about to cancer. Cancer does not discriminate; it touches everyone at some time or another; your parent; your child; your sibling; your grandparent; your family member; your teacher; your co-worker or your friend. While remarkable advances in the field of cancer have increased the “cure” rate, helping people to manage and live with cancer receives little attention.

Cancer affects not only the person with cancer, but all the adults and children in the household. There may be major changes in daily routine; temporary and permanent shifts in who is responsible for dealing with the day-to-day chores and practicalities of life; and changes in physical structure of the home to accommodate diminished physical capabilities brought about by the disease or its treatment. Adults and children might also experience a broad range of emotions such as fear, shame, anger, guilt, embarrassment and resentment. Underlying all of these feelings is also the awful stress of uncertainty as to what will happen and when it will happen.

Family members often have a difficult time dealing with a cancer diagnosis. Kids might experience feelings of abandonment or anger. They might act out or display other behavioral shifts. Relationships within the family might be redefined. Often there is little or no discussion of significant issues and relationship changes, even in families who experience strong mutual support and relative ease of communication.

Gilda’s Club Capital Region New York is truly unprecedented. Gilda’s Club Capital Region New York has the power to soothe the mind and spirit with hope and strength to live with cancer – regardless of the outcome. However, Gilda’s Club Capital Region New York is so much more than a concept and a program – Gilda’s Club Capital Region New York is a place – a place where adults and children whose lives are touched by cancer can join together to create a genuine cancer support community. As an individual and their family and friends learn to live with cancer through supportive services that address their emotional and social needs, they improve quality of life and create the transformational experience of knowing they are not alone.