FAQs

It's simple. Please contact the club at 248.577.0800 to schedule a New Member Meeting. This in-person appointment with a GCMD staff member allows prospective members to determine if our programs are a good fit and allows staff to offer customized recommendations for how to get the most from a membership at Gilda’s Club Metro Detroit. You are welcome to attend many activities at the Clubhouse with a quick RSVP, or you can join us for an activity in any of our partner hospital sites just by dropping by.

Men, women, children, friends and family meet to learn how to live with cancer, whatever the outcome. Support and networking groups, lectures, workshops, music, art and social events, as well as structured programs for children and teens, help members build their own unique and customized community of support.

Feel free to try an activity or two before deciding to become a member! Once you become a member, you will be able to have access to weekly support groups and enjoy other special events throughout the year.

Those who become members have an opportunity to meet one-on-one to discuss Gilda’s Club offerings. They also become eligible for a variety of perks such as participation in special events and giveaways. Only members are placed in weekly support groups

Children and families are always welcome at the Clubhouse and in most of the hospital activities. Family activities are offered for the participation of the entire family. If you are attending an activity that is not identified as a family activity, please contact the Clubhouse three business days or more prior to the activity to arrange for one of our trained Noogieland volunteers to provide Supervised Play for your child(ren) during the activity in order for you to attend. Supervised Play is not guaranteed, but the more time we have to plan, the more likely we will have a volunteer on hand.

No, our program is offered to anyone impacted by any cancer diagnosis. This includes individuals living with cancer, their family members and friends, individuals who are post-treatment, and individuals who have lost someone to cancer.

No. Men, women and children are all welcome to participate.

No, membership is free! The process includes meeting one-on-one with a clinical staff member to answer any questions you have about our programs, learn more about your current situation, and link you with the programs that will best meet your interests and needs.

All of our activities are community-focused. At this time, we can refer you to other organizations or options for individual counseling.

Wellness groups are weekly support groups for men and women currently in treatment. Networking groups are monthly informative groups which are diagnosis or situation specific. Family and friends can attend networking groups, as long as they have become members. All of our support groups are led by licensed mental health professionals.

Named after the noogies that Gilda used to receive on “Saturday Night Live,” Noogieland is a special place in the main Clubhouse where kids can be kids, connect with other children and families, and see that they are not alone. We offer support to children, teens and families impacted by cancer through age-appropriate support and networking groups, social events, arts and crafts, and family activities. Our program is designed to be a place for children and teens to learn, play, care and share, all the while supported by our professional staff and trained volunteers.

No, Gilda’s Club is non-residential, but our freestanding clubhouse has a warm and welcoming home-like atmosphere where members can relax and feel comfortable in a non-medical setting. Members are welcome to visit the clubhouse to enjoy a cup of coffee, visit with other members or relax in the gardens prior to a group, event, activity or workshop.

Private individuals, corporate sponsors, foundations and special events provide enormous direct andin-kind support for the program activities and operational/clubhouse costs of Gilda’s Club. Donations to Gilda’s Club Metro Detroit support people touched by cancer living throughout southeast Michigan.