In 1982, Harold and Harriet Benjamin sought to create an organization that would provide social and emotional support not only to people living with cancer, but also to families, friends, and caregivers. They strongly encouraged psychosocial care because they believed deeply in the connection between emotional and physical well-being. From that vision, The Wellness Community (TWC) was founded in Santa Monica, California as the first walk-in community facility of its kind, offering free, professionally led support to those affected by cancer.
One of the most passionate advocates of The Wellness Community was comedian and Saturday Night Live cast member Gilda Radner. After being diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 1986, Gilda turned to TWC for support. Through her own experience, she came to believe that emotional support should be available to everyone facing cancer, not just those living on the West Coast. In her memoir, It’s Always Something, Gilda spoke openly about the profound impact that support and community had on her cancer journey.
Gilda passed away in 1989 from ovarian cancer.
In honor of her legacy, Gilda’s husband, actor Gene Wilder, and psychotherapist Joanna Bull, together with close friends and family, founded Gilda’s Club in 1991. The first Gilda’s Club clubhouse opened its iconic Red Doors in New York City in 1995. From the beginning, Gilda’s Club was created to be a welcoming, home-like place where people impacted by cancer could come for connection, understanding, and professionally led support. Today, Gilda’s Club and Cancer Support Community affiliates serve communities across the country and around the world.
Local History
In 2001, a dedicated group of volunteers decided to bring Gilda’s Club to Madison. Early founders Efrat Livny, Pat Anderson, Amy Nickles, Brandi Funk, Freya Reeves, and Pastor Todd McVey began to meet and move the mission forward. The group incorporated in December, 2002 as a 501(c)3, known as Madison Friends of Gilda’s. Peggy Lucas became involved and later engaged Barry and Cindy Alvarez. Click here to read more about our early founders.
In 2003, the organization was accepted as a provisional affiliate of Gilda’s Club Worldwide and formally became Gilda’s Club Madison. The journey to opening a clubhouse was not easy. Founders navigated early resistance from the corporate office, significant fundraising challenges, and the extensive legal and operational requirements needed to bring the vision to life.
A turning point came in May 2005 at the Gilda’s Club Worldwide affiliate leadership conference in New York City, where founders received renewed encouragement and validation that their work and their community’s needs were real and worth fighting for.
In 2006, planning for the Madison clubhouse accelerated when Barry and Cindy Alvarez made a personal challenge gift and helped secure a generous donation of land in Middleton from The Livesey Company. Ground was broken in October 2007, and in October 2008, Gilda’s Club Madison officially opened its Red Doors.
Since opening in 2008, Gilda’s Club Madison has experienced steady growth and strong community demand. The Club expanded its programming to include emotional and social support, cancer education, and healthy lifestyle activities, all offered at no cost and led by trained professionals. Over time, programs also expanded online, allowing the organization to reach people beyond the walls of the clubhouse.
In 2009, The Wellness Community and Gilda’s Club Worldwide merged to form the Cancer Support Community, creating one of the largest providers of cancer support services in the world. Today, Gilda’s Club and Cancer Support Community affiliates together serve hundreds of thousands of individuals and families each year.
In 2018, Gilda’s Club Madison faced an unexpected and devastating flood that caused significant damage to the clubhouse and forced the staff to shift programming to 14 partner sites for nine months. Even in the midst of recovery, the community rallied around the organization. With the support of members, volunteers, donors, and partners, the clubhouse reopened in 2019, stronger and more resilient than ever, reaffirming the deep commitment to ensuring that no one faces cancer alone.
In 2026, Gilda’s Club Madison became Gilda’s Club Wisconsin, reflecting what had already become true in practice. People from communities across the state were turning to the organization for connection, counseling, education, and support, both in person and online. The name change honors the Club’s local roots while embracing a growing statewide mission to ensure that anyone impacted by cancer in Wisconsin has access to compassionate, professional support. Learn more.