DAVENPORT, IOWA (November 10, 2023) — We are thrilled to announce that Gilda's Club Quad Cities is celebrating its 25th Anniversary. For the past two-and-a-half decades, Gilda's Club has been a community of hope and support for individuals and families impacted by cancer in the Quad Cities community. We have come together to provide emotional support, educational programs, resources, and referrals, and a home away from home for those being impacted by cancer in the community. This remarkable journey wouldn't have been possible without the amazing community, our dedicated supporters, and cherished members.
Gilda’s Club was named in honor of Emmy-award-winning actress and original Saturday Night Live cast member Gilda Radner. In 1986, Gilda was diagnosed with ovarian cancer.
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. Although Radner passed away in 1989, her husband, Gene Wilder, and Joanna Bull, along with other friends and family, answered Radner’s call to action. Together, they founded Gilda’s Club and opened its iconic Red Door in New York City in 1995.
Gilda’s Club Quad Cities was founded when a group of local oncology nurses saw a need for social and emotional support for cancer patients and their families in our area. They approached Rich Horst asking for his help, and he gathered a founding board of local community leaders in 1995, and together they began the process to establish a Gilda’s Club in our community. Gilda’s Club Quad Cities opened its clubhouse doors on November 8, 1998, at the mansion on the hill with the red doors along River Drive in Davenport, Iowa. We were the second Gilda’s Club in the nation to open our doors to the community.
Gilda’s Club Quad Cities made our home at our clubhouse on River Drive until December 2020, when we sold the home and began a journey to be more accessible to cancer patients and their families as well as lower operating costs to be more sustainable, allowing us to serve our community well into the future. We had a bold vision to be located within each hospital system near each of our local cancer centers with locations in both Iowa and Illinois. In February 2021, we opened our first clubhouse in Moline inside UnityPoint Health — Trinity, just down the hall from their cancer center. Our new Davenport clubhouse opened the following year in September 2022 at Genesis Health Systems West Campus, directly above their cancer center.
Since opening our doors in 1998, Gilda’s Club Quad Cities has served close to 4,500 individuals living with cancer and their loved ones. With locations in Iowa and Illinois we are reaching more people than ever before and are excited for continued growth within our region. In 2022, Gilda’s Club served 557 individuals, held 490 programs and services, and had 2,300 visits to our programs and services.
As we mark this momentous occasion, we invite the community to join us in celebrating our 25th Anniversary.
Here's how the community can be a part of this milestone celebration:
1. Share Your Gilda's Story: Have you found solace, laughter, or inspiration within our walls? Share your personal Gilda's story with us using the hashtag #BehindTheRedDoorsGCQC and tag us. Your experiences can encourage others who may be facing a similar journey.
2. Volunteer: Consider giving the gift of your time. We always need assistance with outreach, event committees, front-desk volunteers, administrative tasks, and so on. Your presence and compassion can make a world of difference in the lives of our members.
3. Donate: Your financial support helps to sustain our programs and expand our reach to more individuals who are being impacted by cancer. Visit here to donate to our anniversary fundraiser.
4. Donate and Serve a Meal for Our Members: Towards the end of 2023, we have been able to provide group dinner every week with the help of businesses and organizations. We hope to continue this into 2024 with group dinner every week. Contact Lexi@gildasclubqc.org to schedule a date.
5. Become a Gilda's Ambassador: Help us raise awareness about Gilda's Club Quad Cities. Help with outreach and bringing light to the services that we offer the community at no cost.
6. Host a Fundraiser: Click the red button to join our 25th Anniversary fundraising campaign. There are many ways to fundraise whether it be a jean day at work or a Facebook Fundraiser for a birthday.
Together, we can ensure that Gilda's Club Quad Cities remains a source of community, healing, and strength for years to come. Our 25th Anniversary is not just about celebrating our past achievements but also about looking forward to a future filled with even more hope, healing, and laughter. With your continued support, we can serve more individuals impacted by cancer, offering them the support and resources they need.
Visit our website gildasclubqc.org for more information on how you can get involved. For questions or more information, please contact Gilda’s Club at 563-326-7504 or e-mail lexi@gildasclubqc.org
