Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids was founded in 2001, and has grown to be the largest and busiest Gilda’s Club, with over 600 visits per week. In 1996, a grassroots effort was launched by Twink Frey, a local philanthropist and cancer survivor, to bring Gilda’s Club to the Grand Rapids area. During her cancer treatment, Twink noted the lack of social and emotional effect resources offered to her while going through treatment, and even in dealing with the life altering “after effects”, and she knew this had to change. Joined by fellow cancer survivors, Deb Bailey and Susan Smith, they were able to bring the help and support Gilda’s Club provides to Grand Rapids. In addition to the main clubhouse in Grand Rapids, Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids has expanded and opened another clubhouse in nearby Lowell, MI.

A unique feature of Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids is the Children’s Grief Program. For years, Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids has provided grief support to children who have lost a loved one to cancer. Now, children 3-18, who have lost a loved one to any other health-related disorder, accident, murder or suicide, can also come to Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids to receive the emotional care and compassion they need to come through the grieving process and to begin healing.

The original Gilda’s Club was founded in 1991, in memory of Gilda Radner. Radner, best known as an original cast member of Saturday Night Live, died from ovarian cancer in 1989. Gilda’s Club was founded by Gilda’s psychotherapist Joanna Bull, her husband Gene Wilder and many other friends of the hilarious and memorable actress. The first Gilda’s Club opened in 1995 in New York City.