DAVENPORT, Iowa — Gilda's Club of the Quad Cities was located at 1234 East River Drive until the house was sold in December 2020. Now, the organization has moved to Genesis West Medical Center in Davenport.
The group, named after Gilda Radner, a former Saturday Night Live comedian who died of ovarian cancer on May 20, 1989, helps cancer patients through support groups and education on ways to deal with cancer.
Executive Director of Gilda's Club Joy McMeekan told News 8 that the new location will make patient treatment and support more convenient.
"By locating in the hospital, we can be more accessible to them," McMeekan said. "so they can come up between appointments – after they're done with appointments – and we can just be able to meet them right where they are."
McMeekan also said that by moving locations, the club hopes to see more patients.
"We're hoping with this new space that we'll be able to double our member capacity in the next five years."
Bettendorf resident Julie Hayes has been battling breast cancer for two years. She's also a support group member within Gilda's Club and joined the group after her treatment started.
"So I actually went through the first six rounds of chemo, which were the toughest," Hayes said. "I went through them on my own without Gilda's Club. And I really regret that I wish I would have gotten here sooner."
Hayes said now that she has joined Gilda's Club, she finds the new location more accessible.
"When I had my treatment before, you know, I had to wait and go over to Moline, which was fine," Hayes said. "this would be much easier because you're just right here on the infusion floor."
McMeekan added that convenience is key since 50% of cancer patients also need psychosocial care.
"Being able to make the resources that we have available known to all of the cancer patients so they can take advantage of it is really what we're here for."
There will be a public open house with a ribbon cutting on Wednesday, Oct. 19 to celebrate the new location.