Brava

October 2013

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GO+DO catalyst "I found it helpful to listen to others' journeys." –Beatriz Cantelmo, Gilda's Club Member Support Gilda's Club by running, walking or volunteering in Gilda's Run 2013 Sunday, Oct. 13th. Run the 10K, 5K or walk two miles. Gilda's Club Ensuring no one faces cancer alone By Amy Carlson The late Gilda Radner of "Saturday Night Live" fame realized the importance of emotional and social support when dealing with cancer. Her dream "to ensure that all people impacted by cancer are empowered by knowledge, strengthened by action and sustained by community" has been realized at Gilda's Club located in Middleton. From the moment you enter through the double red doors, you feel like you're home. The aroma of dinner comes from the meeting room, comfy sofas and recliners are ready for relaxing and smiling faces are there to greet you. Beatriz Cantelmo knows firsthand what an impact Gilda's Club makes as families and individuals battle cancer. At 29, Cantelmo was diagnosed with cancer. It started with melanoma, then was found in her lymph nodes and eventually her lungs. At first she tried to hide her scar and symptoms. Her coworkers actually thought she was pregnant. Cantelmo's world was spinning as she was given a two-year life expectancy. That's when she found Gilda's Club. Initially she joined to help her daughter cope with the diagnosis. She then joined her own support group there, and a relationship began that has followed her through a clinical trial in California to a return to Madison. The group encouraged her by phone while she dealt with loneliness and fatigue. "I found it helpful to listen to others' journeys and see their strengths and weaknesses. Anything you say is OK, respected and acknowledged. The group held me accountable by reminding me that I had options that weren't available to them," Cantelmo says. In addition to support groups, Gilda's Club provides networking, workshops, wellness programs, library resources and social activities. There is even "Noogieplay" for kids dealing with cancer themselves or watching a parent cope with the disease. Gilda's Club is open to men, women and children free of charge so no one has to face cancer alone. The funds to keep the clubhouse open come from the generous donations of individuals, corporations and grants. Every dollar donated stays in Madison to support members and the clubhouse. As Contelmo says, "Everyone deals with cancer in their own terms and in their own time. Gilda's Club respects people's choices on how to deal with it." For now, Contelmo is in remission, but credits her cancer diagnosis for reminding her how precious life is. 4 | 7:30 p.m. Imagine the Cure Indulge in cocktails, hors d'oeuvres and the musical styling of Piano Fondue to raise funds for Susan G. Komen of South Central Wisconsin and help find a cure for breast cancer. SMART Motors, Madison. komen.org. (608) 275-7808. 88 brava magazine | OCTOBER 2013 5 | 9:30 a.m. Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Make a step in the direction of ending breast cancer and walk three or five miles to benefit the American Cancer Society and the ongoing effort to end breast cancer. Vilas Park, Madison. cancer.org. (608) 662-7547. 17 | 5:30 p.m. Bras for the Cause Take an entertaining approach to breast cancer awareness with an evening of fun, food and fashion as men model embellished bras. Funds benefit the Breast Cancer Recovery Fund. Madison Concourse Hotel, Madison. bcrecovery.org. (608) 661-4178. Photographed by Shanna Wolf On a Mission: NONPROFIT HAPPENINGS

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