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