About us
We build community, so we can take on cancer together.
Gilda’s Club Simcoe Muskoka, an affiliate of the Cancer Support Community, is dedicated to providing support, education and hope to all people impacted by cancer, family members and friends of those diagnosed, children, and people who have lost someone to cancer.
Free of charge
Gilda’s Club Simcoe Muskoka provides a gathering place where people with cancer, as well as their families and friends, or people that have lost someone to cancer, can join with others to actively involve themselves in building social and emotional support as a supplement to regular medical care. Our evidence-based programming includes support groups, healthy lifestyle workshops, mind-body classes, social activities, educational lectures and community resource information.
Who is Gilda?
Our namesake, Gilda Radner, was one of the original cast members of NBC’s “Saturday Night Live.” Throughout her time on the show, she created several enduring characters, including Roseanne Roseannadanna, Emily Litella and Lisa Loopner.
When Gilda was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 1986 she quickly realized the importance of emotional and social support. After attending The Wellness Community in Southern California, Gilda envisioned places of participation, education, hope and friendship to be made available to men, women and children with all types of cancer and their families and friends. After her death in May 1989 her husband, Gene Wilder, and Joanna Bull – Gilda’s psychotherapist – founded the flagship Gilda’s Club in New York City.
Our vision
Everyone impacted by cancer receives the support they want and need
throughout their experience.
Our mission
Gilda’s Club Simcoe Muskoka uplifts and strengthens people impacted by
cancer by providing support, fostering compassionate communities, and breaking
down barriers to care.
Gilda's Club Simcoe Muskoka
Gilda’s Club Simcoe Muskoka opened its Red Door in 2010 after a seven year capital campaign spearheaded by Patricia Gilbert. After watching a friend’s experience with breast cancer years earlier, and then living her own cancer journey, Patricia and her husband John invited the community to join them in their mission to create a place where people diagnosed with cancer, and their family and friends, could come together as a “cancer support community”.
Gilda’s Club’s warm and welcoming 10,000 square foot clubhouse is conveniently located across the street from Royal Victoria Hospital and the Simcoe Muskoka Regional Cancer Program. Gilda’s Club Simcoe Muskoka hosts evidence-based programming that includes professionally-facilitated support groups, healthy lifestyle classes, social activities, educational lectures and community resource information. We firmly believe that no one should have to take on cancer alone; as such, we always have been and always will be absolutely free of charge.
We build community, so we can take on cancer together.
