Gilda's Club Madison

09/29/2025

Big news: we’re bringing even more creative power to our Governing Board! ✨

Please welcome Jill Skowronski, President of 6AM Marketing. Jill’s vision and expertise in storytelling will be a tremendous asset, and we’re thrilled to have her join us.

09/27/2025

So happy to be part of .

09/26/2025

🎉 Don’t Miss Out—Online Registration Closes Sunday, September 28th! 🎉

Gilda’s Run/Walk is almost here! Be sure to get registered online before midnight on Sunday, September 28th, to beat the lines! Walk-up registrations will also be available the morning of the event, so there’s still time to join us in showing that community is stronger than cancer. 💪❤️

✨ Packet Pick-Up Details ✨

Packet pick-up will be held on Thursday, October 2nd, from 8 am - 6 pm in the Community Room at the Gilda's Clubhouse in Middleton.

Our amazing volunteers will be busy preparing event merchandise for all corporate and individual teams—a representative can pick up everything for their group.

Team Packets: These will automatically be bundled together unless a special request is made.

Individual Participants: If you’d like your items pre-packed for a group pick up (if not formed as a team), please email Taylor Retondo at taylor@gildasclubmadison.org
by October 1st. All individuals are welcome to pick up their individual merchandise during packet pick-up as well.

At packet pick-up, you’ll also receive your “Why I Run/Walk” signs and stickers—decorate them and bring them back to line the Gilda’s driveway on event day. Let’s fill the path with stories, strength, and love. 💌

🗓 Mark your calendars, spread the word, and get ready to run, walk, and celebrate together!

09/26/2025

Last week, a bunch of young adults touched by cancer smashed stuff with Gilda's Club! This event was for young adults that have been diagnosed with cancer before age 40—any stage, any cancer, anywhere in their cancer experience. The crew met up at Bust-N-Stuff in Milwaukee- a smash room, rage room, and Bustaporeum.

The group was able to let loose, laugh, and smash some things, all while knowing they were around others who "get it." One of the attendees shared, "What an amazing event! It was really fun to do something physical and cathartic."

There are more fun events for young adults touched by cancer coming up (including an Owl Nature Hike for Young Adults in October), so be sure to check our program calendar: www.gildasclubmadison.org/calendar.

09/25/2025

Ginny Lee and Bill Kerwin have both worn many different hats at Gilda’s Club. You may know Bill as an ice-cream scooper, a handyman, or part of the fundraising events set-up crew. You may know Ginny as the Run/Walk course volunteer coordinator, kitchen organizer, or greeter at the Backyard BBQ. What both share is their love of the Gilda’s Club community.

Bill started his involvement with Gilda’s Club before our red doors even opened. He and his wife, Clare, saw a volunteer sign-up at the Farmer’s Market. Gilda’s Club founder Amy Nickles called him the next day, and he has stayed involved ever since.

Ginny spent her career working in hospice in Illinois before moving to the Madison area as a widow after she retired. She saw a flyer for a wine walk for Gilda’s Club, and she “was so excited to see we had a Gilda’s Club.” She called immediately about volunteering.

Starting in 2011, the two became regular Monday morning volunteers and have become weekly fixtures in the clubhouse. They refer to each other as their “Monday morning wife and husband.” Ginny even sends Bill a birthday card each year, referring to him as her “Monday morning husband.”

“We always have a good time,” Bill laughs. Ginny jumps in, “And we get a lot done.”

Visit our blog to continue reading about Ginny and Bill: https://tinyurl.com/3teurte5

09/22/2025

Big news—we’ve added new energy to our Governing Board! ✨

Please welcome Nicole Sandoval, Community Liaison at Madison College. Nicole brings bold ideas and a collaborative spirit, and we can’t wait to see the impact she’ll make with us.

09/21/2025

Last Sunday was pure magic at Gilda’s Club Madison! ✨ With the help of 36 incredible members, volunteers, and supporters, we captured film for a brand new PSA video. The energy in the clubhouse was electric!

We couldn’t have done it without these amazing partners:
✨ 6AM Marketing – for their vision, guidance, and creativity that helps us share our mission statewide
🎥 Mk9design Productions – for their expertise and filming every special moment
📸 The Polka Dot Co. – for beautifully documenting our clubhouse in action
🙌 JJ Creativ – for their hands-on support throughout the day

With your help, we’re making sure that anyone facing cancer in Wisconsin can find comfort, connection, and community at Gilda’s Club. Drop a ❤️ if you love seeing our clubhouse come alive as much as we do!

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09/20/2025

Join us at this amazing day of celebrating wellness!
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Please share.

09/19/2025

💼💜 Did you know your gift to Gilda’s Run/Walk could be doubled two times over right now? How awesome is that!

A huge thank you to Fiskars for putting community at the forefront of what they do, and allowing us the opportunity to share a $5,000 matching gift to help us reach our fundraising goals at this year's Run/Walk! All gifts starting now will be matched up to $5,000 at gildasrunwalk.com!

In addition to the $5,000 match, we also offer an opportunity to double your donation through your employer.

Many employers offer corporate matching gift programs—which means when you make a donation, your company may match it dollar for dollar (or more!). That’s double the impact, double the hope, and double the support for families facing cancer.

It’s quick and easy:
1️⃣ Make your donation for Gilda’s Run/Walk
2️⃣ On the Run/Walk Website, check if your company matches gifts once you enter your donation amount. Make sure to use your company email, and a drop-down will appear to verify if your company will offer a match.
3️⃣ Submit your match request and multiply your impact

Together, we can reach our fundraising goal faster—and ensure no one faces cancer alone.

Learn more about Double the donation at: doublethedonation.com

Learn more about the great products offered by Fiskars at: Fiskars.com

Make your donation to an individual, team, or the event here: gildasrunwalk.com

09/19/2025

Earlier this month we had an incredible time with over 117 young adult cancer friends from 28+ states. We laughed, we played games, and we connected with our community while creating art (check out some of the masterpieces in these photos!).

One participant shared "This is always a highlight of my entire month. It’s 2 hours of nothing but support and fun. Not all cancer groups need to be serious and emotional — art workshops like this, which are lighthearted and joyful, have an enormous impact on our mental health."

That's exactly what we hope for with these workshops. They're a space to let your guard down and just be you.

We love putting these events on with our partners Gilda's Club Middle Tennessee and . A special thank you to Bobby Menges - "I'm Not Done Yet" Foundation for making these workshops possible.

Our October workshops are full, but we'll be announcing our next workshops soon. Get on the notification list by visiting https://gildasclubmadison.org/toughfriends

09/18/2025

Look who’s been visiting our rain garden! 🦋

Monarch butterflies have been stopping by to fuel up on nectar as they make their way south. Our rain garden is the perfect pit stop for these amazing little travelers! They are the perfect symbol of resilience amidst adversity, and the power of having a supportive community (both human and butterfly) when facing challenging times.

Next time you’re at the clubhouse, take a moment to check the garden- you might just spot a Monarch on the move!

09/12/2025

✨ Every step you take, every dollar you raise, makes a difference. ✨

Gilda’s Run/Walk isn’t just about miles—it’s about impact. Together, our community of fundraisers helps keep our doors open to anyone facing cancer, ensuring that no one has to go through it alone.

Because of YOU:
💜 Families find comfort in support groups.
💜 Members discover strength through healthy lifestyle programs.
💜 Hope is renewed in moments of connection and care.

Our top fundraisers inspire us every day, showing that when passion meets purpose, lives are changed. Whether you raise $5 or $5,000, your efforts fuel free programs that bring light to some of life’s darkest moments.

This October, let’s walk and run together—not just to the finish line, but toward a future where compassion always wins.

Looking for a fun, family-friendly event that brings people together for a great cause? Join us on Sunday, October 5th in Middleton for Gilda’s Run/Walk—or participate virtually from anywhere!