USA Today Salutes Gilda’s Club as one of its Top 25 Charities

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Cindy Alvarez
Phone: 608-273-8880
Email: info@gildasclubmadison.org

August 6, 2007 – On July 20, Gilda’s Club Worldwide, the leading organization dedicated to providing social and emotional support throughout North America for people living with cancer, their families and friends, will be highlighted in USA TODAY as part of the newspaper’s 25^th Anniversary celebration. The publication has chosen to salute 25 major charities in this way to acknowledge the generosity and social responsibility of American citizens.

“We have come so far since beginning this project, but there’s more to do to ensure that Gilda’s Club Madison will be able to provide support for those touched by cancer,” said Cindy Alvarez, Gilda’s Club Madison board chair. “This recognition by USA Today shows how important Gilda’s Clubs are in communities and, with the help of so many generous supporters, we’re proud to be bringing one to the Madison area.”

“USA TODAY wanted to find a way to give back to the nation during our 25^th anniversary celebration by celebrating causes that are closest to the hearts of Americans,” said Susan Lavington, vice president of consumer marketing, USA TODAY. “We selected charities that represent a broad range of interests including environment, health, animals, arts, education, human services, and public benefits, and hope our readers will join us in saluting these charities.”

“Being featured among such a stellar list of charitable organizations is truly an honor, and we thank USA TODAY for the privilege,” said Vivien Hoexter, CEO, Gilda’s Club Worldwide. “Our 30 clubhouses located throughout the US and in Canada, provide exceptional support for our more than 45,000 members; but when statistics tell us that 3 out of every 4 people are touched by cancer every single day, the value of this recognition becomes priceless in helping Gilda’s Clubs extend our message well beyond our red doors.”

In addition to Gilda’s Club Worldwide, other charities chosen include Big Brothers Big Sisters, Special Olympics, American Red Cross and the Humane Society of the United States. Gilda’s Club will be profiled in the print and online versions as well as on a special 25^th anniversary Web site found at http://www.usatoday.com/news/snapshots/25anniversary/hcf.htm.

About Gilda’s Club

Gilda’s Club is a cancer support community in Madison for anyone whose life has been touched by cancer – men, women and children, their families and friends – at any stage of the cancer experience. As part of an international network of affiliate clubhouses anchored by Gilda’s Club Worldwide, Gilda’s Club Madison will offer a comprehensive program of free lectures, workshops, social activities and support and networking groups as an essential supplement to medical care. For more information, visit www.gildasclubmadison.org or call
1-888-GILDA-4-U.

Sidebar: How you can help open the Red Door.

There’s still more work to be done to open Gilda’s Club Madison. Help us today.

September 1 through September 31: Bid on a custom-built motorcycle autographed by University of Wisconsin sports legends and current coaches on charitybuzz.com.

September 24: Hit the links in memory of Peggy Post at the Red Doors Golf Scramble. Enjoy food at each hole, a social hour and dinner at beautiful Bishop’s Bay Golf Course.

October 6: Let loose on Gilda’s Day at an old-fashioned town fair event complete with food, music, auctions and a beer tent to celebrate in Monticello, Wis.

For more information on how to participate, visit www.gildasclubmadison.org