At Gilda’s Club Chicago, every story, every laugh, and every shared moment adds up to something powerful: a community that is stronger than cancer. This year, that spirit was recognized nationally when Gilda’s Club Chicago received two awards at the Cancer Support Community Affiliate Leadership Conference:

• Network Partner of Distinction for our outstanding commitment to continuous quality improvement (CQI)

• Network Partner Award for Innovation/Creativity in Fundraising/Development for our Associate Board’s Saturday Brunch Live event

What Continuous Quality Improvement Means for Our Members

The CQI process is a rigorous review that CSC affiliates go through every five years, covering five key areas: governance, administration, fundraising, programming, and communications. It’s not just about meeting standards, it’s about making sure every member who walks through our Red Door receives the very best care, programs, and community experience possible.

As our CEO LauraJane Hyde explains, “CQI is an invaluable exercise… It brings affiliate leadership into a conversation around best practices throughout the network and helps strengthen areas of concern. It also demonstrates the importance of being a part of the Cancer Support Community and Gilda’s Club network.”

Being named a Network Partner of Distinction means that Gilda’s Club Chicago not only met but exceeded expectations in delivering free, evidence-based psychosocial support to those impacted by cancer. It recognizes our commitment to ongoing growth, innovation, and accountability which directly benefit our members.

Saturday Brunch Live: A Celebration of Resilience

While the CQI award reflects the quality of our day-to-day work, the Network Partner Award for Innovation/Creativity in Fundraising/Development celebrates the heart and joy of our community.

In April, our Associate Board hosted Saturday Brunch Live, a one-of-a-kind event inspired by the 50th anniversary of Saturday Night Live and Gilda Radner’s legacy. Leading up to the event, a creative campaign engaged audiences through SNL-style polls, trivia, and videos, including a cold open featuring beloved SNL characters and Weekend Update with NBC’s Kevin Jeanes.

The in-person event brought the theme to life with an SNL-inspired photo booth, the cold-open and credits featuring members of the Associate Board, and plenty of Gilda-inspired humor. More than just a fundraiser, Saturday Brunch Live blended nostalgia, pop culture, and mission storytelling, creating new energy, new connections, and a model for future campaigns.

Why These Awards Matter

Both awards honor what makes Gilda’s Club Chicago special:

• Excellence in Care: ensuring that our programs meet the highest standards of psychosocial support, so members feel seen, heard, and supported every step of the way.

• Creativity in Connection: finding joyful, innovative ways to bring people together and remind our community that cancer does not define them.

Looking Ahead

We are deeply grateful to our staff, boards, volunteers, partners, and community members who made these achievements possible. These awards belong to all of you.

As we look forward, we will continue investing in growth, innovation, and the heart of our mission: creating a space where anyone impacted by cancer can find support, strength, and hope –  always free of charge.

Want to be part of the next chapter? Explore our free programs or learn how you can get involved at gildasclubchicago.org.