Our Clubhouse and Cancer Caring Center have merged

The Clubhouse and Cancer Caring Center have merged. The combined organization will operate under the new name of Cancer Bridges. 

Our Clubhouse, formerly known as Gilda’s Club Western Pennsylvania, opened its doors in 2006 to provide social and emotional support to those touched by cancer. The Cancer Caring Center has been providing clinical support since 1988. Separately, the organizations have steadily grown to be leading forces in creating welcoming communities of support for everyone impacted by cancer; those diagnosed, as well as the friends, family and caregivers who support them. 

The joint intention will not change: to support members from diagnosis, through treatment, and in transition to life beyond cancer, as well as help prevent and manage the adverse effects of the illness. 

The organizations have continually looked to enhance their programs and services. Combining the well-established organizations will provide an opportunity to continue evolve together while supporting the mission to serve the cancer community. This merger will allow the organizations to provide members many new services and areas of expertise. 

There are several important aspects of the organization that will not change: 

• Programs and services will remain free 
• Activities will remain the same – but more will be available 
• Staff – all Our Clubhouse staff members are being retrained 
• Currently all programming will be offered virtually to maintain the health and safety of staff and members. However, when in-person programming can safely resume, they will be offered at the facility at 2816 Smallman Street in the Strip District. 

To ensure a smooth transition to Cancer Bridges, Dani Wilson will stay on to become the new Executive Director and Rebecca Whitlinger (formerly Cancer Caring Center Executive Director) will take the role of Associate Director. 

Dani Wilson stated: “We are working diligently to seamlessly combine member databases, operations, and departments under the new organization name: Cancer Bridges. Please visit our new website at www.cancerbridges.org, and follow us on Facebook and Instagram for the latest updates.”