Calling all TEENS!!

Even the greatest writers of all time began with just simply sharing a story.  We’d like to hear yours.  It’s time, once again, for the “It’s Always Something” Teen Essay Contest presented by Gilda’s Club Chicago.  We are looking for anyone in 9^th, 10^th, 11^th or 12^th grades to put pen to paper, so to speak, about their experience with cancer – either through a personal diagnosis or that of a family member or friend.  Students have the opportunity to win scholarships and prizes decided by a panel of celebrity judges.  Entry forms and essays must be received electronically by December 12.  All of the details can be found in the flyer and at the links listed below.  Contact Jamie Mazer Wiener with any questions.

To submit your essay online, please click here:

Submit Essay Online

For a printable entry form and contest guidelines in English, please click here: 

Printable Entry Form in English

For a printable entry form and contest guidelines in Spanish, please click here:

Forma de Registracion en Espanol

 

Do you feel that chill in the air?

Autumn is here! Gilda’s Club Chicago gave a warm welcome to the crisp air by celebrating Hispanic Heritage month with a Fall Festival.  The colorful fiesta brought food, music and art together in a cultural tribute to our Hispanic friends and members.  It also marked the seasonal opening of Gilda’s Gallery.  Artists of all ages submitted work to be displayed and showcase their talents to Clubhouse visitors.  Check out all of the art on the 2^nd floor during your next visit. 

We have been out and about this month working with a lot of our friends and partnering organizations in support of Breast Cancer Awareness month.  Among all of the events, we are hosting our own Open House for Allied Professionals to come down to the Clubhouse and get a taste of what GCC has to offer.  This is a great chance for the people we work with in hospitals and through other groups to see us at home, so to speak. 

One last call to action here:  We are looking for High School students with a story to share.  It’s Always Something Teen Essay Contest begins NOW!  Take this opportunity to write about your experience with a diagnosis or that of a friend or family member.  Your narrative could help others and gives you the chance to win an iPad2 or some cold hard cash.  Entries are due by December 12, 2011 and prizes will be awarded by a panel of celebrity judges. For more information, please contact our Noogieland Coordintor at the main clubhouse.

Stay warm as the weather starts to change in the Windy City, and if you’re ever looking for a cozy place to hang out, check out everything we have to offer on the Clubhouse calendar.  Hope to see you soon!

Starting A Family After Cancer

Gilda’s Club Chicago has partnered with the Oncofertility Consortium at Northwestern University (OFCNU) and Patient Navigator, Kristen Smith to host a Networking Group once a month designed for people who want to get together to share stories, ask questions, express concerns and get more information about starting a family after cancer.  

The OFCNU unites professionals to research and study the methods and information important to patients in understanding what to expect looking into fertility options after a cancer diagnosis and/or cancer treatment.  Patients work with a Patient Navigator – someone who works on individual cases with the patients and providers through all aspects of the fertility preservation process to discuss topics including:

• The effects, threats and potentially harmful interactions of life-preserving cancer drugs.
• Methods for freezing, storing and growing human tissue as well as in vitro options.
• Possible communication barriers between cancer patients, their supporters and physicians.
• Outside social influences that may sway individual decisions
• The role of health care practitioners, clergy and counselors in cancer-related decision making.
• Ethical or legal concerns that may arise at any part of the process.
• Fertility-related decisions involving families with a child diagnosed with cancer.

Next week, the OFCNU is hosting a conference to highlight the evolution of the science behind the fertility preservation process.  It will examine the clinical and social sciences, giving patients and their families the best tools to understand what to expect in considering their options for future fertility.  The conference will be held at the Prentice Women’s Hospital on September 12, 13, and 14.  Click HERE for more information.

We’re thrilled to collaborate with the OCFNU, giving everyone the opportunity to have the conversation about oncofertility wellness and making a plan prior to undergoing treatment.  Beginning in October, please join us at the Starting a Family After Cancer Networking Group on the first Tuesday of every month at the Main Clubhouse.  Check out our website or call the Clubhouse for more details.  

Beyond the Clubhouse

Everything we offer at the Clubhouse in Chicago's River North neighborhood is meant to help teach, relax, inspire and bring us together. These activities are so popular and so beneficial, that we decided to expand to some of the local hospital locations where patients may already be receiving treatment.  Rush University Medical Center and the University of Chicago Medical Center are two of those locations where you can enjoy Art as Relaxation or Mind Body techniques while you wait for an appointment or as a more convenient means of participating.

RUSH Hospital includes programs for both outpatient and inpatient care.  Three days a week, our facilitators at RUSH provide the opportunity to get involved in drawing, creating collage art, origami, tai chi, gentle yoga, as well as stress relief practices and guided meditation.  In addition, we have a number of networking groups where you can meet others and share stories of personal experiences through a life touched by cancer.  There are general cancer groups, as well as several cancer and culturally specific groups.  For a full list of activities and groups, please check out our monthly calendar.

The University of Chicago Medical Center (UCMC) is full of art and relaxation two days out of every week.  Recently, we began two new networking groups co-facilitated by the American Cancer Society.  On the third Thursday of every month is a General Cancer networking group and a group for Women of Color  is offered on the second Wednesday of the month.  This group, in particular, has been well-attended with a collection of very strong and faithful women.  Dian, a frequent participant, shared that, “This is my great stress relief. Coming here is a highlight for me. Being with friends and finding laughter really just helps.”  Please look for our monthly calendar for specific times and activities.

We, too, enjoy the peace and friendship we encounter through these programs.  Whether it’s in a hospital setting or at the Clubhouse, come as you are!

 I wanted a perfect ending. Now I've learned, the hard way, that some poems don't rhyme, and some stories don't have a clear beginning, middle and end.  -Gilda Radner 

Teen Time

Hanging out in the Chicago Bulls Locker Room

Think back.  When is the last time you spent a week shooting lasers, hip hop dancing, learning secrets of intergalactic police forces, and checking out the inner-workings of a couple of pro sport jumbotrons? Well, for most of us, it has been a while. For the lucky 16 who attended Gilda's Club Chicago Teen Camp, that was just the tip of the iceberg.  

For the very first time, we spent five whole days together having fun, learning new talents, and making friends.  With a full week of activities, teens learned basic pottery skills, healthy snack recipes, and teamwork in producing their own rap videos.  We also got out and enjoyed some laser tag, bowling, arcade time, and even caught the hot summer blockbuster, The Green Lantern.  Noogieland Coordinator, and Teen Camp leader, Jamie Mazer-Wiener reinforced the importance of having a program like this for young people, “Camp just isn’t a priority when cancer is in the family.”  It’s a very honest reminder of why we continue to offer these programs to our members. 

The week culminated in a special treat sponsored by the Chicago Bulls’ Wives on Friday morning.  On the final day of Camp, we took a tour of the United Center and U.S. Cellular Field.  We got special VIP access to both venues including a behind-the-scenes look at the Bulls’ locker room, the press conference area, and executive offices where big time basketball deals go down.  We also went out onto the field and sat in the dugout to see the firsthand how the White Sox watch each game.  There was even a special photo shoot with the World Series trophy and a few of the Championship rings from the big 2005 win. 

Spending time in the White Sox dugout

It was an incredible delight for the whole group.  Having the five day camp instead of two days, as it had been in past years, gave all of them the chance to really form friendships and bond through their experiences with cancer in their own lives.  By the end of the week, they were all exchanging cell phone numbers and friending each other on Facebook.  
 
A BIG thanks goes out to PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP for providing all of our volunteers for each activity during the week.  To learn more about Gilda’s Teen programs or for Noogieland info, please contact the Clubhouse or visit us online.   

Hello!

Welcome, Friends!

There is so much happening at Gilda’s Club – in the clubhouse, in the hospitals, at events, and all throughout our community – that we decided we needed to share more.  We invite you to keep up with us on Facebook, Twitter and here on our new blog!  

Gilda’s Club is a free cancer support community started in the name of the late comedienne, Gilda Radner.  Since 1998, Gilda’s Club Chicago has been offering free programs, support and a place of fun open to anyone whose lives have been touched in any way by any kind of cancer.  The first clubhouse opened in New York in 1995, and now, Gilda’s signature red door can be found at more than 50 locations throughout the U.S. within the support network.  

Our goal of this blog is to provide a look into the opportunities Gilda’s Club Chicago provides for our members as well as open a conversation about cancer support programming and living well.  Look here for updates on events, research, activities, and Gilda news.  

Most of all, let’s have some fun!