Behind the Red Door: 10 Questions with Beth Starrantino, Funds Development Manager

The love of Beth's life, Tribal Ducky

Gilda’s Club Delaware Valley: How did you get involved with Gilda’s Club?

Beth Starrantino: I was looking for somewhere to volunteer with a cancer connection because my dad passed away from lung cancer. I got involved here with the pancake breakfast where I met Lori who told me I was so good at serving pancakes that I had to be on the Gala Committee. I also joined the Associate Board. When I heard they were looking for an employee I kind of jumped and down until they hired me!

GCDV: What is your favorite Gilda’s Club memory?

BS: I think my favorite memory is running into a member after the Anthropologie event. I had not really interacted with many members before and she thanked me and let me know how much Gilda’s Club meant to her while she was undergoing treatment. I was really touched.

GCDV: What are you most proud of at Gilda’s Club?

BS: I am proud of the teamwork here and how passionate everybody is at making Gilda’s Club the best it can be to serve as many people as possible. 

GCDV: What do you love most about Gilda’s Club?

BS: I love the community feel and how everyone here is truly a family. And Tribal Ducky.

GCDV: If Hollywood made a movie about your life, whom would you like to see play the lead role as you?

BS: Zoey Deschanel—when I have bangs and I wear glasses the resemblance is uncanny.

GCDV: If you could be a superhero, what would your superpowers be?

BS: I would want the ability to stop time for everybody else besides me. Then, I could do whatever I wanted, have extra hours in the day, and maybe take a nap.

GCDV: If you could trade places with any other person for a week, famous or not famous, living or dead, real or fictional, with whom would it be?

BS: Angelina Jolie. Not because of the Brad Pitt thing-he’s looking kind of creepy these days-but because of all the work and good she gets to do in the world. For me, it’s more about the travel and the humanitarian work, not Brad.  

GCDV: What is the last book you read?

BS: I’m currently reading The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks.

GCDV: What would I find in your refrigerator right now?

BS: Not much because we are a big takeout family, but there would be a lot of iced tea because I’m trying to go off soda, oatmeal, and salads.

GCDV: If you won the lottery, what would you do with money?

BS: I would probably be smart with most of it. I would put some in the bank, I would help my mom if she needed it, help my sister with grad school, and then give a lot to Gilda’s Club. I would join the Red Door Society at $25,000 a year. I would also go shopping and travel a lot!

Upcoming Event: Shop for a Cause at Anthropologie

Join Gilda’s Club on Thursday, August 18th at Anthropologie Philadelphia for wine, hors d’oeuvres, and a sneak peak at Anthropologie’s Fall 2011 Collection—modeled by Gilda’s Club members and cancer survivors. 10% of the evening’s sales will be donated to Gilda’s Club. The event will run from 6:30pm to 10:30pm, but we ask that all guests arrive before 7:30pm as the fashion show will begin and the doors will close. Please RSVP to Beth  by 8/15 at 215-441-3290 or beth@gildasclubdelval.org.

Anthropologie is located at 1801 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103.

Behind the Red Door: 10 Questions with Nicole DeCicco, Program Coordinator

Gilda’s Club Delaware Valley: How did you get involved with Gilda’s Club?

Nicole and GC volunteer extraordinaire, Marion Sands

Nicole DeCicco: I heard about Gilda’s Club through a friend. I have family members who have had cancer so I wasn’t a stranger to it. I was also interested in pursuing social work so I thought it would be a good fit.

GCDV: What is your favorite Gilda’s Club memory?

ND: My favorite memory was baking cookies at the holiday event. There was music playing and good food and the whole staff was involved which is a rare occurrence.

GCDV: What are you most proud of at Gilda’s Club?

ND: I have been able to see how much Gilda’s has grown and evolved so that makes me extremely proud. I am also proud of Kelly in her new position and all that she has accomplished. In addition, I am proud there are always new members seeking support and we’re able to offer them after being open for so many years.

GCDV: What do you love most about Gilda’s Club?

ND: I love that no two days are ever the same—you never know what you’re going to be doing and that keeps it exciting. I also love that everyone pitches in with everything and we all work together for the same cause.

GCDV: Outside of Gilda’s Club, where could we find you?  

ND: You could probably find me by the pool, lying out in the sun.

GCDV: If you could have one superpower, what would it be?

ND: I would love the ability to change into something or someone else–any object that I wanted to be whenever I wanted.

GCDV: What is your favorite movie?

ND: Back to the Future

GCDV: What is the last book for read?

ND: Water for Elephants

GCDV: Favorite food?

ND: French fries and cheese whiz

GCDV: If you won the lottery, what would you do with money?

ND:I would take care of my family first and then give a large portion to Gilda’s. I would definitely raise the salary for all staff!

Event Recap: Bowl Over Cancer

On July 22^nd, over 200 people gathered at Thunderbird Lanes in Willow Grove to enjoy an evening of bowling, food, and fun! The event, sponsored by KRMD Partners, was an incredible success. We are thrilled to announce we raised over $11,000 to help Gilda’s Club continue to provide its vital social and emotional support programs at no cost for men, women, and children living with cancer in the Delaware Valley. Thank you so much to our event committee and day-of volunteers for all your hard work! And a special thanks to the local businesses and individuals who helped to make this event such a success!

Be sure to check our Facebook page soon for event photos.

Gilda’s Club Rides the Ducks

On Thursday, July 14^th, a group of Gilda’s Club staff, volunteers, and members ventured down to Center City for an adventure aboard the famous “Ride the Ducks” boat. Our boat, headed by Captain Normyweather, wound us through the historic streets of Philadelphia before gliding onto the Delaware River for a tour of the waterfront sights. Each participant was gifted a special Pink Wacky Quacker, a whistle which emanates a wonderful quacking noise.  In conjunction with Gilda’s Club, Ride the Ducks will donate 80% of the proceeds from all Pink Wacky Quackers sold to Gilda’s Club from now until December! The funds raised will help support our breast cancer programs. Interested in purchasing a Pink Wacky Quacker? Head on down to The Independence Visitor Center (599 Market St. Philadelphia, PA 19106) and The Ride Ducks counter to purchase one for just $5! Don’t forget to check out the pictures in the album below and head over to our Facebook page for more!

 

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Gilda’s Club thanks Ride the Ducks for a ‘quacktacular’ day and for their generous support!

Upcoming Event: Bowl Over Cancer

On July 22, Gilda’s Club will host its 1^st Annual “Bowl Over Cancer” event at Thunderbird Lanes in Willow Grove. The event, sponsored by KMRD Partners, will run from 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm. Registration is only $25 per bowler and covers three hours of bowling, shoes, and a ball. We’ll also have delicious food for sale and wonderful auction/raffle items! Please join us for this evening of friends, food, and fun in support of a fabulous cause!

Interested in attending? Online registration is now open on our Firstgiving page at www.firstgiving.com/gildasclubdelval. Please register ASAP to reserve your space before time runs out! Call Beth at the clubhouse at 215-441-3290 or email her at beth@gildasclubdelval.org with any questions or for more information.

Knitting with Helen

 Once a month, a group of women come together at Gilda’s to knit, crochet and enjoy one another’s company.  Helen, Gilda’s resident knitting guru, serves as the leader of the group, knowledgeably dispensing wisdom and advice whenever needed. All experience levels are in the group, with some women more advanced and some just starting out. The women are currently working on kitchen towel holders and scarves to be sold at our upcoming Alex Boyes Memorial 5K Run/Walk! The women say that knitting is extremely therapeutic, and it’s a great way to keep busy when they are sick. The group is warm, fun, supportive, and very talented to boot.

Some lovely ladies knitting!

Knitting with Helen meets once a month (except July and August). Knitters and crocheters of all skill levels welcome. Beginners–don’t be afraid to join this amazing group! Check out the program calendar on our website for more information!

 

Behind the Red Door: 10 Questions with Lena Marder, Program Director

Gilda’s Club Delaware Valley: How did you get involved with Gilda’s Club?

Lena Marder: I actually found about Gilda’s Club through the wife of one of my staff at my old job. She always talked about Gilda’s Club, yet I never knew it existed. My thesis was in pediatric oncology and my original intent was to work in this field, but the job never presented itself. So when she said they were looking for a Program Director, I sent in my resume and the rest is history.

GCDV: What is your favorite Gilda’s Club memory?

Lena: I always laugh when I think about how my chair was turned around in the opposite direction when I came in one morning right after I started working here. I still think it was the ghost.

GCDV: What do you love most about Gilda’s Club?

Lena: The feeling you get when walk in the door–it is something special that you simply can’t describe to other people.

GCDV: What are you most proud of at Gilda’s Club?

Lena: I think that I most proud of not a program or an event, but the program staff. They do such a phenomenal job with limited resources and a lot of heart.

GCDV: Outside of Gilda’s Club, where could we find you?

Lena: Probably down at the Jersey Shore with my family.

GCDV: If you had a superpower, what would it be?

Lena: I think I would want to twitch my nose, like Samantha in Bewitched, and be able to do whatever I wanted.

GCDV: Favorite hobby?

Lena: My favorite hobbies are cooking, drawing, and reading. I am also currently learning to play golf so I enjoy that as well.

GCDV: What is the last book you read?

Lena: Broken for You, which is the book club book right now at the Doylestown Hospital GC satellite.

GCDV: If you won the lottery tomorrow, what would you do with the money?

Lena: I think I would put some away, give some to my kids, give some to Gilda’s Club and then go on a big trip.

GCDV: What is your favorite movie?

Lena: The Wizard of Oz. I watched it for nearly a year straight when my son was young, and I think I can recite nearly every word.

Gilda’s Members Learn About Financial Myths

Brian Sykes and Tim Lederer from Independence Planning Group visited Gilda’s Club on Tuesday, June 14th to teach attendees about important strategies to know before and after retirement.  The goal was to give answers to things that are commonly misunderstood or confusing.  Some helpful information Brian and Tim shared was to get an umbrella policy for your auto insurance, protect your largest asset (you) by carrying disability insurance, and that everyone should have a will, power of attorney and living will in order to maintain control.

Behind the Red Door: 10 Questions with Bunny Boyle, Member Services Coordinator

Gilda’s Club Delaware Valley: How did you get involved with Gilda’s Club?

Bunny Boyle: My husband had lung cancer. My friend Diane Schwartz persuaded me to come, it took her a while to convince me, but eventually I did. I was a member before I was staff.

GCDV: What’s your favorite Gilda’s Club memory?

Bunny: When Joanne came to Turkey Bingo with her son who was just back from Afghanistan–it was a touching moment.

GCDV: Name one of your Gilda’s Club heroes.

Bunny: My Gilda’s Club hero is Patty Powers. She just keeps on going and is so upbeat and cheerful and supportive of everyone.

GCDV: What do you love most about Gilda’s Club?

Bunny: All of the hugs that I get. Gilda’s Club is just such a nice place to be.

GCDV: Who do you most admire and why?

Bunny: Kelly Harris. She is the most giving person I know and always puts Gilda’s Club first. I just think she is remarkable.

GCDV: Outside of Gilda’s, where’s your favorite place to be?

Bunny: Paris

GCDV: Favorite book? Movie?

Bunny: To Kill A Mockingbird and Hello, Dolly!

GCDV: Favorite hobby?

Bunny: Quilting

GCDV: If you could have a superpower, what would it be?

Bunny: Walk the whole world and be wherever I wanted to be.

GCDV: Name one thing people are surprised to learn about you.

Bunny: I come from a big family.