FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:    

November 6, 2009                                    

The Wellness Community and Gilda’s Club Worldwide Combine

To Become the Largest Provider of Psychosocial Cancer Support Worldwide.

As an affiliate of the Cancer Support Community, Gilda’s Club Western New York

will remain known as Gilda’s Club WNY.

Washington, D.C. – The Wellness Community and Gilda’s Club Worldwide will unveil their new, combined identity – Cancer Support Community – at a landmark Cancer Summit on Saturday, November 7, 2009 in Washington, DC. The Cancer Support Community will likely be the largest professionally-led network of cancer support worldwide, and will be better equipped to meet the needs of people touched by cancer by offering innovative and comprehensive support services.

            As an affiliate of the Cancer Support Community, Gilda’s Club Western New York will remain known as Gilda’s Club WNY, but will have access to the new, innovative resources and programs the Cancer Support Community is dedicated to developing.

            “We are the same great organization dedicated to ensuring that no one in the eight counties of Western New York faces cancer alone,” said Mary Beth Karr, executive director of Gilda’s Club Western New York.  “We look forward to being a part of a large, professionally-led network of cancer support, and to bringing our members the new and improved resources we are committed to developing.”

            This union creates a strong, vital, global network that will bring the highest quality cancer support for the millions of people who have been touched by cancer. These offerings include a comprehensive menu of personalized and essential services, including support groups, education and healthy lifestyle activities.  To ensure no one has to face cancer alone, these support services will soon be available to people in all 50 U.S. states and internationally through The Cancer Support Community’s network of community-based centers and at hospitals, community oncology practices and other non-profits, as well as online.  The Cancer Support Community is also exploring the use of novel technologies, including mobile, to help extend the reach of these meaningful resources.

            “As a cancer survivor, I understand the emotional and social impact of this disease,” said Ted Kennedy, Jr., Chair of Cancer Support Community’s Honorary Board, “So does the Cancer Support Community.  The organization’s work is critical as it helps optimize patient care by providing essential but often overlooked services that complete the cancer care plan. From my perspective, the marriage of these two respected organizations marks one of the most significant events in the cancer nonprofit community this year.”

About The Cancer Support Community

            The Cancer Support Community is now the largest employer of psychosocial oncology mental health professionals in the United States.  Headquartered in Washington, D.C., the organization includes a network of nearly 50 local Gilda’s Clubs and Wellness Community centers worldwide, more than 100 satellite locations and online support services that extend around the world.  For more information about the Cancer Support Community, visit www.cancersupportcommunity.org.

About Gilda’s Club Western New York

            Gilda's Club Western New York (WNY) is a non-profit support community for men, women, children and teens who are living with cancer, as well as their families and friends.  Membership is offered free of charge to people at any stage of their experience with cancer.  Through participation in groups, lectures, workshops and social events, members build social and emotional support and learn to live with cancer. Gilda's Club WNY serves the eight counties of Western New York. For more information about Gilda’s Club WNY, call 716.332.5900, visit www.gildasclubwny.org or find us on Facebook: search Gilda’s Club Western New York.

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