Gilda’s Club Western New York Receives Grant from the Patrick P. Lee Foundation; Funds to Support Program for Those Living With Cancer.

Buffalo, NY – A $75,000 grant recently awarded to Gilda’s Club Western New York (WNY) by the Patrick P. Lee Foundation and payable over three years will be used to support program activities for the nonprofit organization, which provides emotional and social support to men, women and children living with cancer and their families and friends as a supplement to medical care. Activities include support and networking groups, social and informational activities such as yoga, art classes and potluck suppers, and a children’s program.

In accepting the first installment of the grant, Gilda’s Club WNY Board Chair Jock Mitchell said, “We’re grateful to the Patrick P. Lee Foundation for its support of our organization. A cancer diagnosis not only affects the person diagnosed, but also the entire family, friends, co-workers, neighbors and more. Gilda’s Club welcomes anyone impacted by cancer.

“In the five years since we opened our signature red doors, more than 1,200 men, women, children and teens have become Gilda’s Club members,” says Mitchell. “Membership at Gilda’s Club is free; the funds from The Patrick P. Lee Foundation will be used to advance Gilda’s Club in the areas of membership growth, community awareness and financial sustainability.”

“We realize healing encompasses both body and mind,” says Fred Cook, Executive Director of The Patrick P. Lee Foundation. “Gilda's Club provides the necessary contact and support for the person living with cancer, as well as his or her family and friends. The Patrick P. Lee Foundation is proud to be a partner with Gilda's Club in this endeavor.”

Gilda's Club Western New York (WNY) is a non-profit support community for men, women and children who are living with cancer, as well as their families and friends. Membership is offered free of charge to people at any stage of their experience with cancer. Through participation in groups, lectures, workshops and social events, members build social and emotional support and learn to live with cancer. Gilda's Club WNY is an affiliate of the Cancer Support Community, and serves the eight counties of Western New York. For more information about Gilda’s Club WNY, call 716.332.5900 or visit www.gildasclubwny.org.

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