Stephen’s father passed away when he was just 18 years old. He describes his dad as his “superhero.” Watching his dad on his cancer journey caused him to “see the vulnerability of a parent for the first time.” Stephen has taken that early experience into his work as Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder at Leo…
Read MoreVolunteer Spotlight: Angie Rieves
“The first time I walked into a Gilda’s Club was after my friend died,” remembers Angie Rieves. It was 2007, and one of her best friends, Jessica, had recently passed away from cancer at 25 years old. Angie went to GIlda’s Club Milwaukee looking for support, and later began volunteering. When she moved back to…
Read MoreAmanda: Feeling Understood as a Whole Person
My name is Amanda. I am 36 years old, and I am a breast cancer survivor. I found my lump in October 2021. My husband and I had just moved into our first house in late August, and had been looking forward to a new chapter after a very tough time. Both of our mothers…
Read MorePrograms You Make Possible: Write to Heal
Jamie heard the words, “You have cancer” over a decade ago. She became a member of Gilda’s Club, and, while perusing the library one day, found a book about the healing power of writing groups. “While I was in chemo, I thought, ‘I need something to look forward to,” she remembers. So, she decided to…
Read MoreReconnecting with Myself through Art
By Amanda, Gilda’s Club Member I started attending the art classes last summer, completely on a whim. I was recovering from eight rounds of chemo and a second surgery and was getting ready to start 28 rounds of radiation. I was struggling mightily with anxiety and insomnia, in addition to challenges healing from surgery. Still…
Read MoreBecoming an Artist
By Lyn Jerde, Gilda’s Club member My name is Lyn Jerde. I have been a Gilda’s Club member since 2019, when I was diagnosed with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. That cancer appears to be in remission, as is the breast cancer that was diagnosed in November 2020. Right now, my cardiac problems pose my biggest…
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