The first Gilda's Club, including a worldwide training center, opened its signature red door in New York City in 1995. Since that time, additional clubhouses have opened in larger cities (Chicago, Detroit, Dallas, Montreal, Toronto), smaller cities (Fort Lauderdale, Quad Cities, Hackensack, Rochester) and several points in between (Nashville, Grand Rapids, White Plains). Thousands of members now attest to the fact that Gilda's Club has helped change their lives by restoring control and enabling them to plan their own emotional and social support, thus strengthening and enriching the entire family.

More information can be found at the Gilda’s Club Worldwide web site at www.Gildasclub.org

Friends of GCTC Founding Development Committee
*Carrie Puterbaugh (chair), Thrivent Financial for Lutherans
*Jenni Lilledahl, Brave New Workshop Theatre
*Dolly Lowery
*Valerie Martinson, Thrivent Financial for Lutherans
*Demeri Mullikin, Park Square Theatre
*Benita Robinson, Women’s Cancer Resource Center
*Darran Spence, CNS

Medical Resource Council
*Christopher Moertel, M.D. (co-chair), Pediatric
Oncologist, Children’s Hospitals & Clinics
*Kirsten Moertel (co-chair), Child Life Specialist, Children’s Hospitals & Clinics
*Linda Carson, M.D., OBGYN Oncologist, University of Minnesota
*Mary Ehresman, FNP, ADCN, Oncology Nurse Practitioner, Park Nicollet
*Mindy Fadell, R.N., MSN, CPNP, Pediatric Hematology, Oncology, University of Minnesota
*Kathy Farniok, M.D., Radiation Oncologist, Children’s Hospitals & Clinics
*Laura Ferarra, R.N., OCN, Pediatric Hematology, Oncology, University of Minnesota
*Randolph W. Hurley, M.D., Hematology, Oncology, Regions Hospital
*Gary Kravitz, M.D., Infectious Disease/Internal Medicine, United Hospital
*Mary Jo Kreitzer, PhD, R.N., Center Director, University of Minnesota Center for Spirituality & Healing
*Deb Lillegard, MA, LMFT, LPC, Oncology Patient and Family Advisor, Park Nicollet
*Laurance A. Savett, M.D., Pre-Health Professions Advisor, Macalester College and University of St. Thomas
*Anna Schorer, M.D., Hematology, Oncology, Veterans Hospital
*Brenda Weigel, M.D., Pediatric Oncologist, University of Minnesota

Fundraising Committee
*Kittie Fahey (chair), Eventures

Housing Committee
*David Doran (chair), CB Richard Ellis
*Jerry Hammann, Goal Assist
*Zeb Haney, Edina Realty
*Dan Lincoln, Manley Commercial
*Jason Mundstock, CB Richard Ellis

• A meeting place where men, women and children living with cancer, and their families and friends, can join with others to build emotional and social support as a supplement to medical care
• A non-residential, home-like clubhouse / community center
• Free of charge and non-profit
• A community resource that serves anyone touched by cancer
• A Worldwide organization, with more than 20 clubhouses, named after late comedian Gilda Radner
• Programming includes support and networking groups, lectures and workshops, social events, Team Convene, Family Focus, Noogieland (for kids) and ph&d

• Fills a gap in the cancer care continuum for those with cancer
• Fills a gap in the Twin Cities cancer community
• A collaborative organization - affiliated with the whole cancer community, not just select organizations or hospitals
• It’s time for Minnesota - a health care entrepreneur and leader
• Local and national appeal - the Gilda brand and star power
• Well organized worldwide organization - the plan already exists, we simply need support to execute it

• A Founding Development Committee was formed in April 2005
• Friends of GCTC has been incorporated and is an IRS approved 501c3 non-profit organization
• Currently seeking members for Board of Directors
• Preparing to launch major capital campaign to raise $4 million
• Searching for house or building to be transformed into clubhouse
• Striving to open Gilda’s Club Twin Cities in 2008

My name is Jenni Lilledahl. I am co-owner of the Brave New Workshop and am part of a local group that is working to start a Gilda’s Club in the Twin Cities. We have been tremendously successful these past nine months with the medical community and general outreach and we are looking to connect with community leaders and others who are passionate about starting a Gilda’s Club for the Twin Cities.

Gilda's Club is named after comedian Gilda Radner and the Club’s mission is to provide a meeting place where men, women & children living with cancer and their families & friends can join with others to build emotional & social support as a supplement to medical care. Free of charge and nonprofit, Gilda's Club offers support & networking groups, lectures, workshops & social events in a non-residential, homelike setting.

There are 21 club houses open across the United States with 7 more in development. The closest club houses to the Twin Cities are in Milwaukee and Chicago with Madison under development. There is nothing similar to Gilda’s Club offered in the Twin Cities. Please see the Gilda’s Club website, www.gildasclub.org.