DAVENPORT, IA - JANUARY 2016 - Gilda's Club Quad Cities CEO Claudia Robinson is retiring after 18 years in the position.  Sally Werner, current Gilda's Club board member, will replace Robinson as CEO effective January 6, 2016.

Robinson was hired as Gilda's Club Quad Cities' first CEO (and first employee) in 1997 after responding to an ad in the newspaper. "The ad told the story of a place that would reach out to families affected by a cancer diagnosis. It would be free of charge, non residential, and available for men, women, and children," Robinson said. ""Responding to the ad was the best decision I ever made."

Robinson has been an integral part of the organization, not only providing leadership on a local level, but serving as chair of the Cancer Support Community Affliliate Council for many years. 

Werner is leaving an Executive Director, Home Care and Hospice position with Trinity Health (HQ Michigan). She has worked in cancer care for the last 18 years in both small and large health care organizations.  

"We are honored to have such a respected and intelligent person such as Sally join our organization, said Melissa Wright, Program Director. "With her background in cancer care and her compassionate, caring personality, Sally will fit right in."

Werner holds a Bachelor's degree in Nursing and a Master's degree in Health Administration. Her first involvement in Gilda's Club was in Philadelphia, and she eventually joined the Board of Directors in the Quad Cities in 2014.

Gilda's Club provides hope, education and support to people with cancer and their loved ones. Through professionally led support groups, informational workshops and mind/body classes, people affected by cancer learn vital skills to improve the quality of their lives and make them better partners with their medical professionals. All programs and services are provided free of charge to our members. Gilda's Club Quad Cities is affiliated with the largest professionally led network of cancer support worldwide, the Cancer Support Community.

For more information about the programs and services offered by Gilda's Club, please call 563-326-7504 or email gc@gildasclubqc.org

Calhoun, Jackson, Jersey, Madison, Monroe, Randolph and St. Clair counties include in proclamation

SPRINGFIELD - Governor Rauner today issued a state disaster proclamation for seven counties to ensure continued state support to help affected communities respond and recover from flooding caused by the recent heavy rains.  Counties included in the proclamation include Calhoun, Jackson, Jersey, Madison, Monroe, Randolph and St. Clair.

"These counties have significant issues related to flooding that is already occurring or could occur over the next several days," Gov. Rauner said. "We are committed to help local responders in these and other impacted counties ensure the safety of people affected by this unusual December flooding."

According to the National Weather Service, rainfall between December 23-28 averaged approximately seven inches in the declared counties.

The State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) in Springfield was activated Monday to ensure state personnel and equipment could be deployed quickly to support local emergency responders. Resources provided to date include nearly 400,000 sandbags, 160 rolls of plastic, 1,200 tons of sand, and numerous pumps and generators to support flood-fighting efforts in several counties.

For updates on the current situation, visit the Ready Illinois website at www.ready.illinois.gov.

The Skin Cancer Foundation Recommends Sun Safety as a Healthy New Year's Resolution

Opportunity for temporary visit provides a convenient option for prospective residents

DAVENPORT, IA (December 29, 2015) - For a limited time, Senior Star at Elmore Place is offering an exclusive three-month opportunity to reside at its senior living community with no long-term commitment.

Once the excitement of the holidays has ended, winter can take a toll on anyone with its chilly gray weather conditions, the decrease in outdoor activity and overall dreary days.  The winter stay opportunity at Senior Star at Elmore Place offers the chance to fully enjoy the community's lifestyle and services, while also avoiding some of the challenges seniors face during the harsh winter months.  Guests can enjoy all the same amenities residents experience including scheduled transportation, delicious and nutritious meals, and access to social, health and wellness activities without having to battle the elements of winter.  Add to that, freedom from home maintenance and snow removal and it's like an extended vacation.

According to Marc Strohschein, executive director at Senior Star at Elmore Place, older adults at the senior living community focus on the beauty of the season, embracing winter as a time when they can enjoy many warm offerings. "It's so gratifying to see our residents' faces light up when faced with winter conditions, especially when so many people typically look at these months as a time for wanting to stay indoors.  Being able to sit back and go about their normal daily activities in a cozy environment without the typical concerns is appreciated by both residents and their families," said Strohschein.

To learn more about this opportunity, please call 563.359.0100.

About Senior Star at Elmore Place

Senior Star at Elmore Place, a Senior Star community, features 236 modernly decorated apartments spanning across 20 acres of beautifully landscaped property with many customized amenities to offer its residents three distinctive living experiences:  independent living, assisted living and memory care.  For more information, visit www.seniorstar.com.

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