When Gilda Radner, in treatment for advanced ovarian cancer, visited a cancer support community in Los Angeles, she suddenly discovered that she was not alone. She found she shared the same fears that no one, not even caring family and friends, could possibly understand. By sharing her confusion about treatments, relationships, sexuality; and the thousands of other challenges faced by other people with cancer, Gilda reclaimed her sense of humor, the essence of which had never deserted her. As she put it, "I joined an elite club that I'd rather not belong to."

Gilda's Club started with that wonderful play on Groucho Marx's famous quip. In voicing it, Gilda captured the unique combination of camaraderie, friendship, humor, ambiguity, fear and hope that arises when people face cancer in our community - whether they are a person with cancer, family member or friend. A "clubhouse" where men, women and children share their hopes and fears, wisdom and information, learning together how to live with cancer, whatever the outcome, provides the warm and welcoming site of the cancer support community that is now part of Gilda Radner's legacy.