By Harriet Schiftan, MSW, MAJCS President & CEO In September, when I began my new position as President and CEO of Gilda’s Club Middle Tennessee, I was given the organization’s recently completed strategic plan. What a gift to a new leader that our board, staff, volunteers, and community stakeholders had already identified a clear direction...

By Hayley Levy, Director of Development  At this time of year, many of us are consumed by thoughts of holiday traditions, cherished family time, delicious food, travel plans and (if we’re lucky) snow days. My favorite part of the season, however, is the generosity people show around the holidays – to those they know and...

During November and December, we are bombarded with messages encouraging us to be thankful, grateful, and count our blessings. This practice is believed to increase positive mental health and good feelings. At Gilda’s Club, we understand that when you or someone you care about has cancer, you might not be feeling grateful or thankful –...

“I’m a 24-year cancer survivor and I love coming to Gilda’s Club.” “I’m here to learn to make healthy food for my husband who has cancer.” “My cancer is back… I’m undergoing chemotherapy and I want to know learn what I should be eating.” “I love coming to yoga and now my son comes with...

On August 3, Gilda’s Club Middle Tennessee celebrated its 21st birthday. Around the Clubhouse, people keep joking that we’re “finally legal” – because who could resist? But joking aside, what a remarkable milestone: Twenty-one years of one-on-one and group support. Twenty-one years of activities and educational events. Twenty-one years of creating community, so that no...

Teens and young adults who have been impacted by cancer have unique needs, which is why Gilda’s Club has an Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) Specialist on staff. What does this mean for our younger members and their families? We sat down with Megan Ingram Forshey, LCSW, to learn more. Why is it important to...

Certified Health Coach Danielle Gilbert first became involved with Gilda’s Club Middle Tennessee in the late 2000s, when her good friend Dr. Gail Addlestone called to say she wanted to run a half-marathon to benefit Gilda’s Club – and she wanted Danielle to get involved, too. Danielle (thankfully and wonderfully) said “yes” – and she...

At our 20th Anniversary Bash, held October 30, 2018, we honored and celebrated three community leaders for their giving hearts and extraordinary community impact. Among the three was Felice Apolinsky, LCSW, Gilda’s Club Middle Tennessee’s Program Director for 20 years. Learn more about Felice and her Gilda’s story in this excerpt from the event program....

By Sandy ObodzinskiPresident and CEO, Gilda’s Club Middle Tennessee Gilda’s Club opened its first red door in Middle Tennessee 20 years ago today – on August 3, 1998, to be exact. As we embark on a year of remembrance, celebration and aspirations for the future, it only seems natural to think back to our own...

By Heather Parham, member To date, I am a six time survivor of a rare cancer called Metastatic Myxoid Vulvar Sarcoma. I have had chemo several times, radiation once of a brain tumor and again on my chest for my lung, and too many surgeries to mention. When I was first diagnosed in 1993, Gilda’s...