GILDA ’ S CLUB died of colorectal cancer . The Louisville location has been open for more than 10 years , and its demand has exceeded its capacity , said Karen Morrison , president and CEO .
Starting next month , the club will offer support groups at the Norton Cancer Institute ’ s Pat Harrison Cancer Resource Center at 1206 Spring St ., in Jeffersonville , Morrison said .
Right now , Gilda ’ s Club only has about 12 percent of its members coming from Southern Indiana . “ It ’ s really only about a mile from here ,” Morrison said , “ but we know there are a lot of folks , whether it ’ s the toll or the downtown traffic or whatever , who want to be in that community where they ’ re comfortable , and so we want to improve their access and make it comfortable for them .”
Alan and Jackie Hecht said they ’ re glad to see the expansion , but they were more than willing to cross the bridge . They drove to Gilda ’ s Club from Leavenworth , Indiana , which was a bit of a haul .
“ I think it ’ s great ,” Alan Hecht said . “ I hope the people of Southern Indiana will take advantage of the opportunity given to them to improve their way to life . It doesn ’ t matter if you are in Louisville or Southern Indiana , people are going to have cancer .”
About a year from now , the club will move into a new one – just one mile away from its current site – at the corner of Ray Avenue and Grinstead Drive , which will be bigger and have more parking . In 2020 , its opening a branch at 18th and Broadway streets , to meet the needs of people in the West End .
The Ohio River is a perceived barrier to getting help .
“ West Louisville is a community that is missing a lot of resources , and so we just want to make it convenient and accessible as possible ,” Morrison said . “ It is a community that is disproportionately impacted by cancer . The Passport Health campus gave us an opportunity to go into a location where we could offer basically a mini-clubhouse where we will have two support group rooms , a small ‘ Noogieland ’ ( for kids ), a little kitchen . For those who can ’ t or won ’ t come here , we want to make sure they have access , and we are doing that in collaboration with Kentucky African Americans Against Cancer .”
Gilda ’ s Club Louisville sees about 1,600 unique individuals per year , with about 14,000 visits .
About seven new people living with cancer come through its red doors every week , Morrison said . The club hosts support groups , cooking classes , gentle yoga classes , kids ’ camps and activities , social events and more .
Now 69 , Alan Hecht ’ s cancer has been in remission for more than a year . He knows he ’ s very lucky because pancreatic cancer is a killer . The five-year survival rate is only 9 percent .
When he gets his regular blood tests , the lab techs and nurses ask Hecht what kind of cancer he had . When he tells them “ pancreatic ,” they say , “ You ’ ve got to be kidding me ! You ’ re a miracle !” He attributes his positive attitude during his treatment to Gilda ’ s Club .
Hechgt still struggles with the toll the treatments have taken on his body . “ Yes , it is a pain in the rear end , but it is a small price to pay ,” he admitted . “ I get to enjoy my wife . I get to enjoy my family . I get to enjoy my eight grand kids , so life ’ s pretty darn good .”
And he ’ s on a new mission now : “ I made a promise that I was going to try to see if I could find the one dollar that opens the door to cure this disease ,” Hecht said . In 2016 , he bought a new “ neon blue ” Corvette , and he and his wife travel the country telling people his story .
And he often asks people to donate one dollar to cancer research in their communities .
Thanks to Gilda Radner ’ s comedy , Gilda ’ s Club is not just a place for tears , though there are still people who don ’ t win the battle , Morrison said . The club adheres to the idea that living with cancer is not a choice , but how you live with it is , “ with joy , with style , with laughter , with purpose , that ’ s what Gilda ’ s Club is really all about . Gilda Radner said , ‘ Cancer is the most unfunny thing I ’ ve experienced , but sometimes laughter beats the alternative ,’ so there ’ s a lot of laughter here .”
Cancer survivor Alan Hecht and his wife Jackie sign one of Gilda ’ s Club ’ s signature red doors .
Leavenworth residents Alan and Jackie Hecht are grateful for Gilda ’ s Club Louisville , which is now offering support groups in Southern Indiana .
APRIL / MAY 2018 : EXTOL 15