Finding Gilda's Club

Now that I am a soon-to-be 2nd year breast cancer survivor, it is my mission to find out about events or program available for those who are undergoing treatment of any type of cancer, are in remission, recently diagnosed, or who are supporters of friend(s) or a family member(s) who are survivors or currently undergoing treatment.

During the month of September, I got involved in Gilda's Club located in Hackensack, NJ. This club has major sponsors such as Sanofi Aventis, Lexus, ToysRUs, American Airlines and etc. Gilda's Club are available to the cancer community and are opened in the following states: New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, California, Florida, Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Kentucky, Tennesse, Texas, and Wisconsin. There is even a club in Ontario, Canada. Why I'm putting this out here is because the programs offered at Gilda's Club are free programs for cancer patients, survivors, their family, friends, and caregivers. They offer yoga classes, art classes, various lectures, workshop and various networking and support groups. To find out more about Gilda's Club visit Gilda's Club - Home.

Here is something else I found out while taking a few yoga classes at Gilda's Club; The Ridgewood, NJ YM/YWCA offers free strength-training classes geared for cancer patients and survivors called Living Strong Living Well. This program which is sponsored by The Ridgewood YM/YWCA is a strength and fitness program developed by Stanford University. It is a 12-week program recommended for adult patients who are in or have recently completed their cancer treatments. The program's primary goals are to empower cancer patients or survivors, improve functional capacity, and increase quality of life through an organized program of fitness and strength. LSLW is a free YMCA community service program and participants are enrolled as Triangle members at no cost. If you live in Northern New Jersey area and would like to find out more about this program visit: Living Strong Living Well.