Who was Gilda Radner?

Gilda on the cover of LIFE Magazine, March 1988
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One of the Cancer Support Community (formerly, the Wellness Community) Benjamin Center's very first participants was legendary comedienne, Gilda Radner. Gilda is best known for her role on the popular NBC late-night comedy show, Saturday Night Live (SNL). Widely-acclaimed as one of the most prominent comic geniuses of the 20th century, Gilda was well-loved, within Hollywood and beyond. In fact, fellow actor and comedian Mike Myers once exclaimed that he had "fallen in love" with Gilda after playing her son in a commercial and that he considered her the reason he wanted to be on SNL (source).  

Remembering Gilda

In 1986, when Gilda was around 40 years old, she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer after experiencing severe fatigue and pain in her upper legs. Gilda sought medical treatment, undergoing chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatment. It was during this time that Gilda first made contact with the Wellness Community and with Harold Benjamin, a prominent lawyer and the reason our Benjamin Center exists today! Gilda was drawn to the Community's emphasis on health and well-being and, after joining the Community, stated that she had "never been as healthy and as well as I am now." 

In 1988, Gilda went into remission. During this time, she wrote "It's Always Something" - a catchphrase of her SNL character Roseanne Roseannadanna (video below). In late 1988, however, Gilda learned that her cancer had returned and was admitted to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. She passed away a few days later with her late husband, Gene Wilder, at her side. In lieu of flowers, the Radner family requested that donations be sent to the Wellness Community. On Saturday Night Live that week, Steve Martin (who was hosting) introduced, amidst tears, a video clip of a 1978 sketch in which he and Gilda had parodied a well-known dance routine from The Band Wagon (source). Afterwards, Steve Martin said it reminded him of "how great she was and of how young [he] looked. Gilda, we miss you."

Gilda's Legacy

Emma Stone, remembering Gilda at the SNL 40th Anniversary Special
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While Gilda has passed, her memory lives on. During Gilda's illness, her husband, Gene Wilder, therapist, Joanna Bull, and several of Gilda's close friends established similar communities called Gilda's Club to fulfill her dream of helping people and their families, just as she had been helped at the Wellness Community. In 2009, these organizations (Gilda's Club Worldwide and the Wellness Community) merged to become the Cancer Support Community.

Each year, we at the Cancer Support Community Benjamin Center celebrate Gilda's life through our Gilda Awards Gala. This year's Gala will be held on Thursday, May 14, at the Intercontinental Hotel. There, Sarah Silverman will be presenting the Gilda Award to Tig Notaro, a fellow comedienne and friend of the Cancer Support Community, who embodies Gilda's courageous spirit. 

Gilda Award Gala tickets can be purchased here

Please join us in celebrating Gilda's life at this year's Gilda Award Gala. We look forward to sharing a night of comedy, community and commitment to a vision - that no one should face cancer alone.


SNL Clips and Gilda Quotes

Nerd Prom - SNL








More clips can be found on Hulu and Yahoo video, here.

Quotes: 

"We call [the Wellness Community] the world's greatest club. The only problem is the price of admission: you can't get in without cancer."

"Cancer is about the most unfunny thing in the world. But it doesn't have to mean you die."

"While we have the gift of life, it seems to me the only tragedy is to allow part of us to die - whether it is our spirit, our creativity or our glorious uniqueness." 

Sources: 

Wikipedia - Gilda Radner
IMDB
TalkTalk
LIFE Magazine

JOIN Tig Notaro & Sarah Silverman at CSC Gilda Award Gala on May 14, 2015

Cancer Support Community Benjamin Center (CSC) is hosting its annual Gilda Award Gala, an evening of humor & inspiration on Thursday, May 14th, 2015 at the Intercontinental Los Angeles, Century City.  It will be an exciting night honoring celebrated innovators and artists. We hope you will join us! This week we are spotlighting the recipient of the Gilda Award, Tig Notaro, and presenter, Sarah Silverman. Gilda Award More info on Tig: Tignation.com Videos of TIG Tig Notaro is CSC's 2015 Gilda Award recipient. The Gilda Award is named after Gilda Radner who came to CSC (then known as The Wellness Community) in 1986 during her fight against ovarian cancer. With her courageous spirit, Tig, has inspired our community and beyond by sharing her cancer experience publicly with honesty, humor and heart. Tig is a comedian, writer, breast cancer survivor, and the subject and executive producer of a documentary entitled "Tig," which premiered at the 2015 Sundance Film Festival.  On April 17th, 2015, Showtime will air "Knock Knock, It's Tig Notaro," in which she performs in the actual homes, barns and rooftops of selected fans across the country.  She is additionally set to star in her first HBO comedy special this fall, and her memoir "Tig" is due out in early 2016. Tig is included on Business Insider's list of "50 Women Who Are Changing the World" and Rolling Stone's list of "50 Funniest People Now." She was nominated for a 2014 Grammy Award  for her sophomore comedy album release, "LIVE". The album sold over 100,000 units in just 6 weeks and Louis CK is quoted as saying that it is one of the best stand-up performances he ever saw.  We are thrilled to have such an accomplished artist at our Gala! Presenter, Gilda Award (Photo credit: Robyn Von Swank) More info on Sarah: Sarahsilvermanonline.com Videos of SARAH Two time Emmy award winner, comedian and actress, Sarah Silverman, will be presenting the Gilda Award to Tig Notaro. Silverman was dubbed "the most outrageously funny woman alive," by Rolling Stone. With her comedic timing and stage presence it's no surprise that Sarah has been asked to host major award shows. In 2007 she hosted the MTV Movie Awards and she has also twice hosted the Independent Spirit Awards. Her resume includes everything from film and television, stand-up comedy, to iconic online videos, and she added author to this list when she released a book in 2010, the New York Times Bestseller, The Bedwetter: Stories of Courage, Redemption, and Pee. Silverman debuted an hour-long stand-up special, "We are Miracles," on HBO in 2013. She was awarded a 2014 Primetime Emmy in the Outstanding Writing for a Variety Special category. She joined "Saturday Night Live" in 1993 as a writer and feature performer and has not stopped working since. EVENT DETAILS: Date: Thursday, May 14, 2015 Time: 6:30PM Cocktail Reception           7:30PM Dinner, Awards & Entertainment Location: Intercontinental Los Angeles Century City MAP    We invite you to support us by: Purchasing a ticket to the event, a portion is tax deductible Buying a 100% tax deductible ad in our Tribute Journal Making a direct contribution Stay tuned for more details on our two other outstanding honorees: Wellness Award Harold H. Benjamin Innovation Award YAS Fitness Centers Kimberly Fowler & Sherri Rosen   Dr. Mitch Golant EMCEE:      We are delighted that Fritz Coleman, Weathercaster for NBC4 Southern California, will be our emcee! EVENT SPONSORS: With one out of two men and one out of three women facing a cancer diagnosis in their lifetime, most, if not all, are affected by cancer. CSC offers invaluable emotional and psychological support... and our services are always 100% free. For more information on ticket purchases and sponsorship opportunities, please contact Alejandra at 310-314-2565 or aoquendo@cancersupportcommunitybenjamincenter.org Thank you for your continued support!

April is Head and Neck Cancer Awareness Month

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This month, we'd like to shine a light on a rarer form of cancers that affect the head and neck region of the body. There are about 48,000 head and neck cancers diagnosed each year in the U.S. (~3% of all cancers in the United States) and these cancers may arise in the nasal cavity, sinuses, lips, mouth, salivary glands, throat, or larynx. The most common types include:

• Laryngeal and Hypopharyngeal Cancer. The larynx is commonly called the voice box. It is a tube-shaped organ in the neck that is important for breathing, talking, and swallowing. It is located at the top of the windpipe, or trachea. The hypopharynx is also called the gullet. It is the lower part of the throat that surrounds the larynx.
• Nasal Cavity and Paranasal Sinus Cancer. The nasal cavity is the space just behind the nose where air passes on the way to the throat. The paranasal sinuses are the air-filled areas that surround the nasal cavity.
• Nasopharyngeal Cancer. The nasopharynx is the air passageway at the upper part of the throat behind the nose.
• Oral and Oropharyngeal Cancer. The oral cavity includes the mouth and tongue. The oropharynx includes the middle of the throat from the tonsils to the tip of the voice box.
• Salivary Gland Cancer. The salivary gland is tissue that produces saliva, which is the fluid that is released into the mouth to keep it moist and that contains enzymes that begin breaking down food.

(Source)

One challenge in treating head and neck cancers is that surgery involves the very structures or parts of our bodies that make us human (e.g., allow us to speak, talk, chew, make facial expressions). 

Source

There has been an alarming increase in the prevalence of head and neck cancers in males, particularly those cancers associated with the HPV virus (Scientific American). Additional resources and video links are included below to help you and your loved ones find out more about this complex illness. Help raise awareness for Head and Neck Cancer Awareness Month by becoming an informed advocate and spreading the word. 

Resources: 

• Head and neck cancer surgeons at Memorial Sloan Kettering discuss risk factors, treatment options, reconstruction and quality of life after surgery (video)
• Smoking, Drinking Prolong Gastrostomy Tube Use in Head and Neck Cancer
• An Oncologists Advice on Avoiding Head and Neck Cancer

CSC Welcomes New BOD Member Susan Dost

Cancer Support Community Benjamin Center is pleased to welcome Susan Dost to the CSC Board of Directors. Susan Dost is President and CEO of Sheridan In-Home Care, a private-pay health care company she formed in 2001. Ms. Dost is the sole owner of Sheridan Care and is a Certified Senior Advisor. Today Sheridan employs over 150 "A-list", California Association for Health Services at Home certified caregivers. Sheridan has been hired by more than 1,500 clients in the past 14 years and has assisted over 3000 mature adults. Ms. Dost has been credited as a dynamic and innovative health care industry leader, creating new products, internet applications and programs with national appeal. Ms. Dost has been featured in Entrepreneur Magazine and the Los Angeles Business Journal. Ms. Dost and her management team at Sheridan have won numerous awards, including the coveted Dorland National Award for best home care company in the United States and the prestigious Business Excellence Award from the Beverly Hills Chamber of Commerce. Ms. Dost was also a 2012 finalist for the Los Angeles Business Journal Healthcare Leadership Award and the Community Outreach Award. Ms. Dost was a finalist for the 2012 Case in Point Platinum Leadership Award, a unique awards program that recognizes the most successful and innovative companies working to improve health care nationally. Members of Sheridan sit on The Parkinson's Association Board and the Board of the Beverly Hills Cancer Relay for Life. Sheridan Care annually donates over 100 hours of free care to various non-profit organizations. Ms. Dost is actively involved with Angel Flight, a nonprofit, volunteer-driven organization that arranges free, non-emergency air travel for children and adults with serious medical conditions and other compelling needs. Ms. Dost is a licensed private pilot and flies her own aircraft for volunteer medical relief flights with Angel Flight West. Ms. Dost played Division One basketball and graduated with a BA from Wayne State University. We look forward to working with Susan Dost to the benefit of people with cancer and their families.

Cancer Support Community Benjamin Center (CSC) is hosting its annual Gilda Award Gala (GAG), an evening of humor & inspiration on Thursday, May 14th, 2015 at the Intercontinental in Century City, Los Angeles. The evening will begin with a cocktail reception, sponsored by the Intercontinental at 6:30PM followed by dinner, awards & entertainment. We hope you will join us! We welcome Fritz Coleman, weathercaster for NBC4 Southern California, as our evening emcee and will honor the following celebrated artists and innovators: Gilda Award Grammy Award-nominated comedian Tig Notaro, will be this year's recipient of the prestigious Gilda Award to be presented by fellow comedian and actress, Sarah Silverman.The Gilda Award is presented to a person that represents Gilda Radner's courageous spirit, one that continues to inspire cancer patients today. Gilda Radner came to CSC (then known as The Wellness Community) in 1986 during her fight against ovarian cancer. (Photo credit: Robyn Von Swank) Tig Notaro Gilda Award Recipient Sarah Silverman Gilda Award Presenter Wellness Award  YAS Fitness Centers, a Los Angeles-based company, will be this year's recipient of the Wellness Award. The fitness company is being celebrated for its positive influence on the community-at-large by promoting wellness and a culture and spirit of generosity. YAS Fitness Centers (Kimberly Fowler & Sherri Rosen) Kimberly Fowler (YAS founder) Wellness Award Recipient Sherri Rosen Wellness Award Recipient Harold H. Benjamin Innovation Award Dr. Mitch Golant will be this year's recipient of the Harold H. Benjamin Innovation Award. Dr. Golant is a national psychosocial cancer research pioneer and we celebrate his work with Dr. Benjamin (CSC's visionary founder) in elevating the role of psychosocial support worldwide. Dr. Golant's work with the CSC Research & Training Institute in Philadelphia and with CSC headquarters in Washington D.C. created a shift in the culture towards addressing patients' and families' psychosocial needs. He is a CSC Professional Advisory Board member. Dr. Mitch Golant Innovation Award Recipient EVENT DETAILS: Date: Thursday, May 14, 2015 Time: 6:30PM Cocktail Reception           7:30PM Dinner, Awards & Entertainment   Location: Intercontinental Los Angeles Century City MAP We invite you to support us by: Purchasing a ticket to the event Making a direct contribution EVENT SPONSORS: With one out of two men and one out of three women facing a cancer diagnosis in their lifetime, most, if not all, are affected by cancer. CSC offers invaluable emotional and psychological support... and our services are always 100% free. For more information on ticket purchases, sponsorship opportunities, please contact Alejandra at 310-314-2565 or aoquendo@cancersupportcommunitybenjamincenter.org Thank you for your continued support!

Out-of-Pocket Costs for Health Care Remain Top Concern for Many, Despite Advances in Reform

(Reposted with permission from the Cancer Support Community)

Out-of-Pocket Costs for Health Care Remain Top Concern for Many, Despite Advances in Reform

WASHINGTON - (Mar. 19, 2015) - A report released today by the Cancer Support Community, an international nonprofit, found that despite advances in health care reform, out-of-pocket costs for health care remain a top concern for many people living with cancer. Patients were asked in a survey and also through interviews about their experience with health care today. The survey focused on the following areas: satisfaction with insurance, access to providers (including scheduling availability, time and discussions with these providers), access to services and concerns around the direct costs of cancer and its care. The study, "An Insight Into Patient Access to Care in Cancer," found that, despite advances made in health care reform, nearly 50 percent report paying more for health care over the past 12 months, and out-of-pocket medical costs remain a top concern for many. Regardless of whether respondents indicated that they liked or did not like their health insurance, the top three concerns were out-of-pocket costs for premiums, co-insurance, and co-pays for medications. Specifically, among those who responded they did not like their coverage, 58 percent had concerns about their premiums, 67 percent had concerns about their coinsurance and 54 percent had concerns about copay costs for medications. Furthermore, two in five patients said they were seriously or very seriously concerned about potentially bankrupting their family with medical costs. Additionally, 71 percent reported not receiving social and emotional support services during their cancer experience, which could have prevented some trade-off decisions, such as skipping doses of medications or missing medical appointments. "People are making decisions like consumers in a situation where the clinical stakes and the potential suffering of patients is substantial," said John D. Sprandio, Sr., MD, a specialist in hematology and oncology in Philadelphia, Pa. "In general, health care reform is working well for some, and not as well for others. In patients for whom it is working well, there are still bumps in the road," said Kim Thiboldeaux, CEO of the Cancer Support Community. "While the Affordable Care Act has brought health care access to people with preexisting conditions, such as cancer, who were previously denied coverage, there is still work to be done to ensure high-quality, affordable care for all people with cancer." The full report and video are available online here. About the Cancer Support Community The mission of the Cancer Support Community (CSC) is to ensure that all people impacted by cancer are empowered by knowledge, strengthened by action and sustained by community. In 2009, The Wellness Community and Gilda's Club joined forces to become the Cancer Support Community. The combined organization, with more than 50 years of collective experience, provides the highest quality social and emotional support for people impacted by cancer through a network of more than 50 licensed Affiliates, more than 120 satellite locations and vibrant online and telephone communities, touching more than one million people each year. Backed by evidence that the best cancer care includes social and emotional support, the Cancer Support Community offers these services free of charge to men, women and children with any type or stage of cancer, and to their loved ones. As the largest professionally led nonprofit network of cancer support worldwide, the Cancer Support Community delivers a comprehensive menu of personalized and essential services including support groups, educational workshops, exercise, art and nutrition classes and social activities for the entire family. Through cutting-edge psychosocial, behavioral and survivorship research, the Cancer Support Community's Research and Training Institute is helping CSC change the future of cancer care through education and training. The Cancer Support Community's Cancer Policy Institute ensures that the voices of 13.7 million cancer survivors and their families are heard in the nation's capital and state and local legislatures across the country. In 2014, the CSC network delivered nearly $46 million in free services to patients and families. The Cancer Support Community is advancing the innovations that are becoming the standard in complete cancer care. So that no one faces cancer alone®. For more information, please visit www.CancerSupportCommunity.org

Media Contact Emily Martin 202.650.5371 Emily@cancersupportcommunity.org

Are We Losing the War Against Cancer?

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An article in the NYTimes recently caught our attention. In "Why Everyone Seems to Have Cancer," author George Johnson eloquently navigates why, as the title suggests, everyone seems to be affected by cancer. Is it our medical system? Has science not kept up with the pace of mutating cells? Or are we just living longer and, having eradicated diseases that once killed earlier in life - small pox, tuberculosis and (hopefully again soon) measles - more of us are arriving on the doorstep of our body's ultimate breakdown, where missense and misprints are no longer kept in-check. 

Read the article and let us know what you think in the comments below. Any thoughts or shares are appreciated!