At Gilda’s Club Chicago, we believe community is stronger than cancer. Black History Month is a time to celebrate the strength, leadership, creativity, and impact of the Black community, and to honor the many ways Black leaders and neighbors continue to shape our city and the future of cancer care.

Throughout this month, we’re highlighting stories, programs, and community connections that reflect our values of compassion, equity, and support.

Building Community and Connection

We celebrate the Black members, facilitators, partners, and supporters who make Gilda’s Club Chicago a welcoming place for anyone impacted by cancer. Every day, we see how community shows up through support groups, wellness programs, and shared moments of connection.

We’re proud to offer multiple ways to get involved, including our Black Women of Ethnicities Support Group (virtual, held monthly), Thankful Thursday, and Soulful Social, returning in September. No matter where you are in your journey, there is a place for you here.

Honoring Black Leaders in Cancer Research

We also recognize groundbreaking contributions by Black leaders whose work has shaped modern cancer care:

• Dr. Jane C. Wright, a pioneer of modern chemotherapy who helped develop early combination drug therapies.

• Dr. Olufunmilayo Olopade, a Chicago-based oncologist at the University of Chicago and a leader in breast cancer genetics, advancing research in hereditary and aggressive breast cancers.

• Dr. Hadiyah-Nicole Green, whose work explores laser- and nanoparticle-based treatments designed to target cancer cells with less damage to healthy tissue.

• Dr. Jewel Plummer Cobb, a Chicago native and pioneering cancer biologist whose research deepened understanding of how cancer cells grow and respond to treatment.

• Henrietta Lacks, whose cells, taken without her knowledge or consent, became the first immortal human cell line and revolutionized medical research, while also reminding us of the importance of ethics, consent, and equity in medicine.

Moving Forward, Together

Black history is American history, and its impact continues to shape our lives and communities every day. At Gilda’s Club Chicago, we remain committed to building a community rooted in compassion, inclusion, and support for everyone impacted by cancer.

Community is Stronger Than Cancer.