Her medical team and treatments aside, Diane Budding credits the fact that she has survived pancreatic cancer to the care, concern and support she found in her support network at Gilda’s Club Quad Cities. “I had come to Gilda’s because I needed someone to talk to,” the retired Wilton, Iowa, high school art teacher recalled […]
Her medical team and treatments aside, Diane Budding credits the fact that she has survived pancreatic cancer to the care, concern and support she found in her support network at Gilda’s Club Quad Cities.“I had come to Gilda’s because I needed someone to talk to,” the retired Wilton, Iowa, high school art teacher recalled Monday, Oct. 17, as she waited to tour the club’s new home at Genesis West Campus, Davenport. Now four and a half years after her diagnosis, Ms. Budding’s cancer journey – she’s still in Stage 4 – has included undergoing surgery at Mayo Clinic, previous treatments and continuing treatments now in Iowa City. “This place was a lifesaver,” she said of Gilda’s, which now is getting settled in its latest new home at Genesis West. “We’d laugh, we’d cry and share tips,” she said of the now close-knit group of cancer survivors. “We lost a few of those friends.”Diane Budding, of Wilton, Iowa, discusses her cancer journey as she sits in the new Gilda’s Clubhouse at Genesis Medical Center, West Campus, Davenport. CREDIT JENNIFER DEWITTWhile her current treatments are zapping her of energy, Ms. Budding hopes to return soon to the clubhouse and enjoy the comforts of the new space. The new space – a partnership between Gilda’s and Genesis – boasts more room for dedicated support groups, additional programming and services. The new and larger 8,500-square-foot facility (2,000 square feet more than the mansion) also has allowed Gilda’s to add a Wellness Studio where it can offer healthy lifestyle activities such as yoga and meditation, as well as The Wilder Lounge – a welcoming space for teens and young adults. On a media tour Monday, Gilda’s Club QC Executive Director Joy McMeekan led reporters through the spacious, uplifting and comfortable clubhouse space. Still true to the Gilda tradition, it has several signature Red Doors to welcome survivors through. The public is invited to tour from 4-6 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 19. Ms. McMeekan said finances and other factors forced the Quad Cities chapter to leave its historic mansion on Davenport’s River Drive in December 2020. “We started this project as a way to reach more people,” she said of the 24-year-old organization’s decision to leave its familiar home to open two new Quad Cities locations.In February 2021, Gilda’s opened its 1,200-square-foot clubhouse at UnityPoint Health-Trinity, Moline campus. As of Sept. 1, it has returned to the Iowa Quad Cities with the opening of the new Genesis clubhouse. “By locating in the hospitals, we can be more accessible to cancer patients and meet them where they are,” she said. The convenient locations are leading to more members from the outlying areas. The signature Red Door of Gilda’s Club is replicated on the elevators at Genesis Medical Center - West Campus, Davenport, where the organization recently opened its newest clubhouse for cancer patients, survivors and their families. CREDIT JENNIFER DEWITTAlthough COVID-19 reduced its membership, she is hopeful the two new locations – and the new hospital partnerships – will allow Gilda’s to double the number of annual visits over the next five years. Ms. McKeenan estimated they now see about 700 people annually. At Trinity, where the club is near its cancer health services, “People are coming in the door who wouldn’t have probably found us on River Drive.”
Among the clubhouse’s highlights on the Genesis campus are:
A Community Room and Radner Resource Library.
Three designated Support Rooms for group and individual sessions.
The Wilder Lounge, named for the late Gene Wilder, who co-founded Gilda’s Club in memory of his wife Gilda Radner. The space is dedicated to teens and young adults who are impacted either by their own cancer diagnosis or that of a family member.
Noogieland and Art Studio – This room is geared toward Gilda’s youngest participants, offering a space for supervised play and age-appropriate support. It also doubles as an Art Studio with classes led by Living Proof Exhibit.
A fully equipped kitchen, like at home, is the heart of Gilda’s Club. It will offer a place for group social events such as potlucks and gatherings as well as educational and informative sessions.
The Wellness Studio, a first-time amenity, will offer various healthy lifestyle activities for the Quad Cities club including Yoga 4 Cancer, Chair Yoga and meditation. The activities are designed to help patients, survivors and their families manage the stress of a cancer diagnosis.
Survivor Julie Hayes, who turned to Gilda’s to help her learn all she could about her breast cancer, still relies on the club’s support but also gives back by volunteering there. “I still have good days and bad days,” the Bettendorf woman said. “Every day gets a little better and the effects of chemo are going away.”Ms. Hayes also credits Gilda’s for her successful journey – she now is considered NED (no evidence of disease). “The biggest thing for me was the fatigue. (Gilda’s) made me get up, take a shower, put on real clothes and drive a motor vehicle to get there… ”Hungry for all the information she could get, the knowledge she gained at Gilda’s curbed her fear – a little bit, she said. Her final chemo treatment was March 4. Like Ms. Budding, Ms. Hayes said “the hard part is when you lose the friends here.” Ms. Budding admits most people don’t want to talk about the negative aspects. “But there are negatives and you can talk about it here.”She still draws inspiration from a fellow cancer survivor and friend Mike Zeglin, who has since lost his battle. “Mike was given two weeks (to live). He lived over four years,” she said. “This place helped me push through. I always came out of here feeling better.”
IF YOU GO – Gilda’s Club QC new clubhouse
What: Gilda’s Club Quad Cities open house. When: 4-6 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 19, (4 p.m. ribbon-cutting ceremony with Quad Cities Chamber.) Where: Genesis Medical Center, West Campus, 1351 W. Central Park Ave., Davenport. Gilda’s Clubhouse is on the second floor of Pavilion One. Details: Come celebrate the opening of Gilda’s new Iowa Quad Cities clubhouse, meet Gilda’s Club staff and tour the new club, designed to help patients, survivors and their loved ones after a diagnosis of cancer. History: For the past 24 years, Gilda’s Club Quad Cities has welcomed thousands of cancer survivors and their families through its signature Red Door. The club, founded and named in memory of the “Saturday Night Live” star and comedian Gilda Radner, provides no cost cancer support services for the whole family. More information: Visit www.gildasclubqc.org.
