On Saturday, November 8, our Gilda’s Club Chicago community gathered for one of the most meaningful events of the year — Day of Remembrance. This year, the event was held following our Saturday LIVE activities, to offer a space to honor loved ones lost to cancer and to find comfort in community.
From music and memory-making to a heartfelt ceremony, the afternoon was dedicated to reflection, connection, and healing.
A Warm, Creative, and Comforting Gathering
The afternoon began with a welcoming atmosphere as members, families, and friends arrived to the calming sounds of live harp music by Ali Vernasco. Attendees enjoyed snacks, conversation, and the supportive presence of one another.
Guests were invited to participate in meaningful memory activities designed for both adults and children. Community members decorated luminary bags and memorial stones to be displayed at the Clubhouse, each one becoming a personal tribute to someone they wished to honor. These activities provided gentle moments of reflection, storytelling, and shared connection.
A Ceremony of Reflection, Sharing, and Connection
The afternoon concluded with a moving Remembrance Ceremony that brought everyone together to honor the memories of those we carry in our hearts.
Members were invited to share stories, names, and reflections about the loved ones they were honoring. These heartfelt moments created a powerful sense of connection among attendees, reminding everyone that grief is shared, witnessed, and held in community.
The ceremony also featured readings by Ali Vernasco and Deacon Christopher Weiland, whose words offered comfort, hope, and grounding. We were grateful for the presence of Nicole Daigle, a death doula who provided compassionate support to attendees throughout the event.
A highlight of the ceremony was our Memory Slideshow, created from the photos and names submitted by members of our community — a beautiful tribute to those who continue to live on in our hearts.
View the Memory Slideshow here.
Thank You for Joining Us
Thank you to everyone who attended, contributed photos, or held someone close in their thoughts that day.
Events like Day of Remembrance exemplify our mission: to uplift and strengthen people impacted by cancer by providing support, fostering compassionate communities, and breaking down barriers to care.
We are grateful to walk alongside you.
“When At Your Heart you Should be Sad”
by Sir Walter Raleigh
When at heart you should be sad,
Pondering the joys we had,
Listen and keep very still.
If the lowing from the hill
Or the toiling of a bell
Do not serve to break the spell,
Listen: you may be allowed
To hear my laughter from a cloud.