Gilda’s Club Quad Cities has been chosen as a pilot site to bring a Gilda’s Club University to St. Ambrose University, the club announced this week.
In July of 2022, The Cancer Support Community offered a grant opportunity to a network partner to start a Gilda’s Club University (GCU) at a local college or university, according to the club’s news release. The grant was intended to expand program reach and build awareness within the young adult population at a local college or university in their service area.
The Quad Cities organization was one of just two recipients in the nation to receive the grant and is a pilot site to expand these services to more colleges and universities across the country. A pair of fundraisers are also planned to kickstart the effort.
The grant program is focused on building awareness, providing education and social activities for students impacted by cancer, Gilda’s Club said. Thoe clubs provide opportunities for not only the network partner but students in the areas of leadership, governance, mission and strategy, evaluation, financial management, program delivery, fund development, communications, collaboration, and equity.
The young adult population faces unique challenges due to the life stages and changes that come with young adulthood such as completing school, securing employment, advancing one’s career, finding a partner, starting a family, and (often) caring for aging parents, according to the new release In recent years, efforts have been made to better understand the complex needs of this population to educate and support them in the face of a cancer diagnosis of their own or that of a loved one.
According to the American Cancer Society, the young adult population ranges in age from 20-39, with 60,000 new diagnoses in this group every year and thousands more impacted by a diagnosis of a family member or friend. Given the age range, young adults are often stranded between adolescent and adult, leaving some of their specific needs unmet.
Gilda’s Club targeted St. Ambrose University as its pilot site and quickly began the work to engage students, staff, and faculty, the news release said. In September of 2022, Gilda’s Club University (GCU) elected its first president, Taylor Garvin. In February of 2023, GCU elected is first vice president. The president and vice president are working to create a GCU committee.
“We feel so fortunate to have the opportunity to bring these services to our community and the students at St. Ambrose University,” said Joy Bush, Executive Director for Gilda’s Club Quad Cities. “Dealing with a cancer diagnosis of their own or that of a loved one is stressful enough on its own but then being away at college and not having the direct support of your loved ones creates an even greater need for our services.”
She added: “Gilda’s Club University allows us to meet students where they are to make our programs more accessible, provide them with the tools they need and connect them with other students that are also impacted by cancer to build that community around them, so they know that they are not alone.”
Gilda’s Club Quad Cities (GCQC) has provided free psychosocial support services to cancer patients and their families in our community since 1998. The QC club’s service area covers 22 counties throughout Iowa and Illinois in the Greater Quad Cities region. The QC club is part of a larger network (Cancer Support Community), including over 50 licensed network partners, making up over 175 locations worldwide.
For more information on our programs and services or to learn more about Gilda’s Club University, call (563) 326-7504 or email gc@gildasclubqc.org.
To help Gilda’s Club University:
Two fundraisers have been developed to raise funds for long term sustainability of the program. They are:
- Monday, March 6, 4-6 p.m. Crumbl Cookies, 4036 E 53rd St, Davenport. Crumbl will allow 15% of proceeds to be given to Gilda’s Club University. This fundraiser is open to the public.
- Thursday, April 27, 6:30 p.m. Schitt’s Creek themed Trivia Night at the Rogalski Center, 518 W Locust St, Davenport. All funds raised will remain local and will support Gilda’s Club University. This fundraiser is open to the public. Find out more here.
