RVH and Gilda's Club make North American history

On Thursday, Royal Victoria Hospital announced an historic partnership with Gilda's Club - making it the first of its king in North America.

Through this joint venture, RVH will become the site of only the second Gilda's Clubs in Canada. Gilda's Club Barrie will provide outpatient services to cancer patients and their families from a facility shared with Rotary House, a lodge for cancer patients to be built in front of the hospital.

"We are thrilled that RVH and Gilda's have truly put our patients first to create a place that will provide comprehensive cancer care - for the body, mind, soul and spirit," said Janice Skot, RVH President and CEO. "We all know someone who

has been touched by cancer and because of that personal experience, we also know that cancer patients do not only need medical treatment. They need a refuge where they'll find solitude, a place for care and a place for support. This partnership will provide all three in one place."

The Rotary House and Gilda's partnership will be included in Phase 1 of RVH's capital project, with early site preparation next summer and construction set for 2008. Competition of this phase is slated for 2010.

"Until now, there has not been a Gilda's Club allowed on hospital property," said Patricia Gilbert, President of Gilda's Club Barrie, Ontario. "But after much discussion with the world-wide organization and our partners at

RVH, we came to realize that in our part of the world where weather patterns are most unpredictable, having the Simcoe Muskoka Regional Cancer Centre linked by a walkway to Rotary House and Gilda's Club is a perfect fit."

Gilda's Club was created as a tribute to comedian Gilda Radner of Saturday Night Live fame, who passed away from ovarian cancer in 1989.

Gilda's Club is non-residential and free of charge. Children, teens/young adults, men and women living with cancer, along with their family and friends, can join others to build social and emotional support to complement their medical care. There are currently 20 Gilda's Clubs open across North America.