I joined Gilda’s Club and Cancer Support Community of Greater Philadelphia Board of Directors in 2022 after being a volunteer for over twenty years.  I am involved because cancer has affected my family.  Not once, not twice, not three times, but four times for my dear mother, a FOUR-time breast cancer survivor! I am also a cancer survivor; my diagnosis was in October 2021. I volunteer and serve on the board because I support members of our community who are facing a cancer diagnosis.

With the number of individuals who are impacted by cancer, we can all do more. We need your help in spreading the word about our mission and the services we offer our community.  Join me in connecting our organization with someone who is on a cancer journey.  We are on this journey together; the board and staff are here to support you. 

We are having our first ever Triva Night Fundraiser on Saturday, April 20, 2024.  Join us for an entertaining evening of traditional trivia AND music trivia at St. Cyril’s Church Social Hall, 1410 Almshouse Road, Jamison, PA 18929.  Team sizes can be 1 to 8 people, and tickets are $35 each.  BYO drinks and food.  Doors will open at 6 PM, and games will begin at 7 PM. There will be plenty of amazing raffles and a 50/50, so bring cash with you. Putting a fun spin on things, to kick off the event, there will be 3 contests (no fee to enter) that your trivia teams can join.  The first is the best-named trivia team (keep it PG, please), the second is the best themed table, and the third is the best team charcuterie board.  I’m not an amazing trivia player, but it’s sure to be a fun night with our DJ and trivia. 

Hope you join in the fun with me!

Warmly,

Rachel Lang, Ed.D.

Please join us in welcoming Katie Szykman to CSCGP!! Katie is wearing multiple hats.  On Mondays & Thursdays, members can find Katie at the front desk at Ridgeland, where she will be answering the phones, greeting members and helping to make sure everyone feels welcomed and comfortable in the Mansion.  Throughout the rest of the week, you might find Katie taking photos, creating social media content and managing everything related to CSCGP marketing.  We are really excited to have Katie on board!! 

I am delighted to introduce myself as Katie Szykman, the newest addition to the CSCGP team. Originally hailing from the historic town of Williamsburg, Virginia, I embarked on the journey to Philadelphia for my education. In May 2023, I proudly graduated from the University of the Arts with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in dance. As the Program Assistant at Ridgeland, I'm thrilled to bring my skills and enthusiasm to help make sure everything runs smoothly. I'm also excited to put my creative flair to use in our marketing efforts, bringing a unique perspective to our outreach and engagement. I can't wait to collaborate with everyone and be a part of the continued success of our work at CSCGP. Thanks for welcoming me to the team!

Please join us in welcoming Silenia Guerrero-Vasquez, LSW to CSCGP!! Silenia brings a wealth of experience and passion to her new role as Program Coordinator at CSCGP.  With a background as a social worker with Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and community navigator with Cancer Support Community Helpline, Silenia demonstrates a commitment to supporting individuals and families facing challenging circumstances.   On the CSC helpline, Silenia honed her skills in providing compassionate guidance and resources to those navigating the complexities of a cancer diagnosis and treatment.  

In this new, part-role, Silenia is enthusiastic about leveraging virtual platforms to expand access to support groups and resources, ensuring that individuals affected by cancer can connect and find support regardless of their location.  Additionally, she is eagerly anticipating the opportunity to develop on-site (weekend) programs at the Suzanne Morgan Center @ Ridgeland Mansion, further enhancing CSCGP supports available to the community. With her fluency in Spanish and her understanding of the unique challenges faced by Spanish-speaking communities, Silenia is dedicated to ensuring that language is not a barrier to accessing support.    

With her blend of clinical expertise and empathy, Silenia is poised to make a profound impact in her role at CSCGP, empowering individuals and families affected by cancer to navigate their journey with resilience and hope. 

We are really excited to have Silenia on board!!  Feel free to welcome her via email. 

We heard you and are expanding the program calendar to include more evening support group options and weekends programming.  Stay tuned for more information about weekend programming.  If you are interested in joining either of these newly forming groups, please email Stephanie.    

Each Spring we have the honor of recognizing Illiana Strauss for her ongoing contributions to CSCGP, especially the Children & Teen Program.  Eleven years ago, Illiana established the Ben Strauss Youth Program, in memory of her husband who passed away from cancer in October 2007.  The Ben Strauss Youth Program supports all artistic expression programs for our youngest members. 

The Ben Strauss Youth Program is proud to announce that we are accepting entries for the annual Teen Essay Contests AND for Higher Education Grant.  Teen Essay Contests are open to all teens impacted by cancer and living in Philadelphia, Bucks, Montgomery, Chester & Delaware Counties. Higher Education Grant is open to students of ALL ages seeking higher education or additional training.  

Please visit the website and share these opportunities with your community and family. 

What an incredible team!

On February 7th, the William Tennent Wrestlers and Booster Club demonstrated an incredible display of sportsmanship by warmly welcoming honorary captains Torin and Nathan. Torin (pictured with the team) was welcomed on the mat during team warmups, participated in the coin toss and the captain's meeting. 

The William Tennent Wrestlers beautifully showed everyone in attendance, the true spirit of community. 

The Booster Club and Wrestling Team donated all of the evening proceeds, which was over $500 for Pediatric Cancer Awareness to Cancer Support Community Greater Philadelphia at Gilda's Club.

Thank you to William Tennent Wrestlers, their families, Booster Club and all fans that attended the event. What a kind and generous community we have!

We would like to express our gratitude to Bucks County Jack and Jill of America Inc. for their generous donation of hats, scarves, and head coverings. These gifts are greatly appreciated and will be of immense help to the women and girls who are battling cancer.

Thank you so much for your thoughtfulness and generosity. It was such a heartfelt donation inspired by your compassion to help others.

You exemplify what we mean by our community is stronger than cancer!!!

Pictured Beth Cribb and Fanella O'Brien

Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer in the United States and ranks second for cancer-related deaths.

Conversations surrounding colorectal concerns can be uncomfortable, which is why we’re excited to announce an upcoming interactive webinar on Wednesday, March 6, offered in partnership with Cancer Support Community Greater Philadelphia and Doylestown Health

Physicians and experts, you trust will address your questions and concerns, and provide important information about colorectal health and screenings, all while enabling participants to attend privately, online.

Host Sheri Putnam will facilitate a panel discussion followed by Q&A with Doylestown Health (DH) Gastroenterologists Dr. Marion Protano and Dr. Hannah Do, DH Colorectal Surgeon Dr. Christopher Bruce, and DH Registered Dietitian Deb Davis.

Registration is required.