Our group's philosophy assumes that if a member is participating
in at least one activity from each of the Basic III support
given at any time, he or she will be building a foundation
for social and emotional support that can be optimally used
in learning how to live with cancer. It also assumes that
members can exponentially improve their level of social and
emotional support they gain by supplementing their Basic III
activities with periodic meetings of family and friends at
Family Focus sessions, Team Convene and (where applicable)
Noogieland, and that by participating in all aspects of the
program they will create a dynamic structure with impact that
reaches far beyond the walls of the clubhouse.
The
following comprise the Basic III:
Support
and Networking Groups Gilda's Club sponsors Wellness
Groups for those who have cancer and know the terrain as
well as Family Groups to support family and friends. Gilda's
Club is a place to share information and identify resources,
to learn and to avoid surprises while living with cancer.
Lectures
and Workshops
Specialists share their current findings on cancer, how
to be partners with the medical team, and ways to enhance
self-understanding through classes on relaxation techniques,
meditation, visualization, painting, journal writing, yoga,
tai chi gong and more.
Social
Activities
Fellow members, families and friends gather for potluck
suppers, joke fests, and other gatherings to celebrate life
at Gilda's Club.
There
are also three supplements to the Basic III, which constitute
the 'Plus':
Noogieland
- a playroom and program for children touched by cancer
Family
Focus - an individual family session
Team
Convene - a networking session with extended family
