A 2006 Institute of Medicine report concluded that in many cases, cancer survivors have specific needs that are not being met. To address these unmet needs, the Cancer Support Community (CSC)/Gilda’s Club partnered with the LIVESTRONG Foundation to develop a program for cancer survivors called Cancer Transitions: Moving Beyond Treatment?. The program is designed to help cancer survivors make the transition from active treatment to post-treatment.

Cancer Transitions is designed to support, educate and empower to survivors. This program features written materials as well as interactive education, support, exercise and nutrition activities to address the long-term effects of cancer treatment, and survivors’ psychosocial needs during their transition to life after treatment. The program is an evidence-based community program created in collaboration with recognized experts in key aspects of cancer survivorship.  Cancer Transitions is for survivors of any cancer diagnosis who have completed treatment within the last 24 months (although survivors more than 24 months post-treatment are eligible to participate). Registration will close prior to the first session. Participants are encouraged to attend all four sessions.

Week 1: Taking Control of Your Survivorship

Week 2: Emotions and Health

Week 3: Eating Well and Staying Active

Week 4: Medical Management

If you are not currently a Gilda's Club Member, we would LOVE to still have you! Please call 248-577-0800 to participate!

Are you ready for something exciting? Allison Schulte, licensed Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) specializing in pelvic health, is returning to The War Memorial to teach a weekly Belly Dance class! This class blends foundational belly dance technique with mindful, accessible movement designed for every body. We’ll explore hip work, shimmies, isolations, arm pathways, and fluid transitions while building coordination, posture, and confidence.

With over 25 years of experience, Allison will guide you through each movement with clear breakdowns, gentle progressions, and an emphasis on body awareness. You’ll deepen core connection, improve balance, release tension, and discover the joy of expressive movement in a supportive space.

No experience needed — just curiosity and a willingness to move. This class is certain to be a great workout and a lot of fun!

NEW! Please join us at The War Memorial for a book club experience. This supportive and uplifting community is for individuals with a cancer diagnosis, cancer survivors, caregivers and loved ones. Through meaningful books and heartfelt conversation, we will create a space for connection, reflection, encouragement and healing. During our first session we will discuss and pick books that explore stories that inspire hope, resilience, laughter, self-discovery and emotional wellness in a compassionate environment.

This group will be facilitated by Heather Kadrich, LP, who specializes in helping individuals navigate the complex emotions and challenges that rise from traumatic experience with a compassionate, evidence-based approach. Books, provided upon request.

Diamond Painting is the name of a mosaic art form in which the artist creates a painting by sticking small resins that sparkle like diamonds on a canvas that has corresponding numbers printed by all the colors of the diamonds.

All the painter has to do is take a diamond and stick it onto the canvas. All the diamonds together create a beautiful painting that sparkles like real diamonds.

Gilda's Club will provide all the materials needed and store your diamond painting for you, so that you can join us every Monday for a therapeutic art form, and go home with a beautiful piece of art when you're done! Ages 16+ are welcome!

Join us for a calming & creative escape designed to help you decompress from the stressors of the week. In this group, we use watercolor to explore the present moment, allowing colors to flow freely without the need for perfection. Perfect for beginners and those looking to use art as a form of self-care and meditation. Facilitated by Erin Shahly, MEd, ATR.

There are water color paper and paint available for pick up at the Royal Oak Clubhouse (while supplies last). Please call 248.577.0800 to arrange a supply pick up.

A 2006 Institute of Medicine report concluded that in many cases, cancer survivors have specific needs that are not being met. To address these unmet needs, the Cancer Support Community (CSC)/Gilda’s Club partnered with the LIVESTRONG Foundation to develop a program for cancer survivors called Cancer Transitions: Moving Beyond Treatment?. The program is designed to help cancer survivors make the transition from active treatment to post-treatment.

Cancer Transitions is designed to support, educate and empower to survivors. This program features written materials as well as interactive education, support, exercise and nutrition activities to address the long-term effects of cancer treatment, and survivors’ psychosocial needs during their transition to life after treatment. The program is an evidence-based community program created in collaboration with recognized experts in key aspects of cancer survivorship.  Cancer Transitions is for survivors of any cancer diagnosis who have completed treatment within the last 24 months (although survivors more than 24 months post-treatment are eligible to participate). Registration will close prior to the first session. Participants are encouraged to attend all four sessions.

Week 1: Taking Control of Your Survivorship

Week 2: Emotions and Health

Week 3: Eating Well and Staying Active

Week 4: Medical Management

If you are not currently a Gilda's Club Member, we would LOVE to still have you! Please call 248-577-0800 to participate!

A thoughtfully guided class that begins with breathwork and moves through gentle, intentional postures to support flexibility, balance, and strength. Alignment cues and variations encourage safe, accessible movement. Class ends with savasana for deep rest and relaxation.

This program takes place at:

Kalasho Education & Youth Services, 29900 Lorraine Ave, Warren, MI 48098

Bring a buddy, bring the family, or bring yourself on out to test your luck during a fun game of bingo! All materials to play will be provided. A Small prize will be awarded to the lucky winner of the night. Please note, there is only one rule for those attending…. Have Fun! Ages 8+ with adult supervision are welcomed to attend.

IN-PERSON @ ROYAL OAK

Ovarian Cancer: Keys to Survival – Mark Roby, ND, PA-C, Author, Speaker, Clinician, Cancer Strategist
Learn about the 3 Keys to Survival:

1. Key 1: Find your people, resources, and strategists
2. Key 2: Target your oncogenes
3. Key 3: Target your microenvironment
   
   
   On December 30, 2002, Dr. Mark Roby was diagnosed with one of the rarest cancers in the world and told it was unresponsive to all known chemotherapy. His oncologist suggested he "accept the inevitable," but Roby thought otherwise. Quickly realizing that conventional thinking would do little to help him, he created his own, personalized treatment plan targeting his specific tumor. And he survived. Dr. Roby authored ‘Lifelines to Cancer Survival’ which will be for sale at the meeting.

Join us after the meeting, for dinner at Nick’s Country Oven (511 W. 14 Mile, Clawson). The menu is great and they offer separate checks.

The support group is a great mix of women at different points in time since their initial diagnosis (newly diagnosed, recurrence, and long term survivors). It is a wonderful vehicle that helps survivors establish contact with others in order to reduce anxiety, fear, and isolation. The group offers an opportunity to discuss concerns and possible misconceptions related to treatment in a safe, loving environment. The support group has become the missing link for many - the glue that joins mind, body, and spirit. The special camaraderie that is shared helps survivors realize they are not alone in their battle against this disease. You can get information about new cancer treatments, receive encouragement from others, be inspired by the personal stories, laugh, and cry in a safe environment. Meetings consist of informal sharing of information in a round table format with occasional speakers. To provide additional support, a chaplain is always present at the meetings. Approximately 15-25 ladies attend the monthly meetings from different stages in their journeys.

Physical activity is a key supportive therapy in cancer care. It provides patients with physical, psychological, and functional benefits. A few of the benefits include reduced cancer-related fatigue, improved quality of life, reduced recovery time and treatment complications, improved survival rates as well as reduced risk of cancer recurrence. 

Join Dr. Lexis Victor for an educational presentation about the benefits of physical activity for oncology patients that focuses on exercise guidelines and how to modify them for your personal needs. After the presentation, there will be an interactive portion that will introduce a variety of exercises with modifications where the group may participate.

Rhythmic, meditative crafts like cross stitch offer a number of health benefits including stress and anxiety reduction, enhanced focus and cognitive longevity, and improved fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. Longtime stitcher and Gilda’s Club member Arlene Beyma brings us a simple, beginner cross stitching project to get you started learning the ins and outs of this meditative craft!

All supplies will be provided.

A 2006 Institute of Medicine report concluded that in many cases, cancer survivors have specific needs that are not being met. To address these unmet needs, the Cancer Support Community (CSC)/Gilda’s Club partnered with the LIVESTRONG Foundation to develop a program for cancer survivors called Cancer Transitions: Moving Beyond Treatment?. The program is designed to help cancer survivors make the transition from active treatment to post-treatment.

Cancer Transitions is designed to support, educate and empower to survivors. This program features written materials as well as interactive education, support, exercise and nutrition activities to address the long-term effects of cancer treatment, and survivors’ psychosocial needs during their transition to life after treatment. The program is an evidence-based community program created in collaboration with recognized experts in key aspects of cancer survivorship.  Cancer Transitions is for survivors of any cancer diagnosis who have completed treatment within the last 24 months (although survivors more than 24 months post-treatment are eligible to participate). Registration will close prior to the first session. Participants are encouraged to attend all four sessions.

Week 1: Taking Control of Your Survivorship

Week 2: Emotions and Health

Week 3: Eating Well and Staying Active

Week 4: Medical Management

If you are not currently a Gilda's Club Member, we would LOVE to still have you! Please call 248-577-0800 to participate!

Reiki is a Japanese energy-healing technique used to promote relaxation and reduce stress. Reiki practitioner Stacy Theodossin will gently place her hands just above the body to transmit Universal energy with the intention to reduce pain, speed healing and create a relaxed mind and body.

There are individual 20-minute sessions available; you must register with Heather to attend by calling 248.577.0800 ext. 403

Grief is not limited to the loss of a loved one. For many individuals navigating cancer—whether as a patient, survivor, caregiver, or family member—grief may also arise through the loss of health, identity, routines, independence, or a sense of normalcy. This quarterly grief yoga series offers a compassionate and supportive space where participants can acknowledge and process these experiences through gentle, body-centered practices. Participants will engage in restorative activities including gentle movement and grief yoga, breathwork practices, guided reflection, occasional sound or relaxation practices, and mindful moments for honoring personal grief experiences. While movement is a central component, the sessions are intentionally holistic. Participants can reconnect with theirbodies, process emotions safely, and experience moments of calm and restoration.

Session 1 of the series focuses on gently reconnecting participants with their bodies through grounding breathwork and supportive movement practices. Many individuals experiencing grief feel physically disconnected or emotionally overwhelmed, and this session encourages stability, self-compassion, and awareness.

This program integrates Laverne Santangelo’s experience as both a licensed therapist, grief specialist, and certified grief yoga facilitator, allowing participants to explore grief through both emotional and body-based practices.

This is a support group for those who have recently lost a loved one to cancer. The recent loss of a family member or friend and the sudden feelings that come along can be devastating. This group connects you with others who can share in those recent transitions and hardships. It's led by a mental health clinician who can also connect you with various resources.

While this group is for those who have experienced loss within 6 months to a year, Gilda's Club also offers long term bereavement support. Once you are ready to transition to one of those groups, a Gilda's Club staff member will be happy to guide you.