Holy Name Press Releases

Holy Name Medical Center Launches Partnership With Cancer Support Community

Uniting Gilda’s Club of Northern NJ, Hospital Offers Free Cancer Support To Members of the Community

March 24, 2017

Joined by members of the community, physicians, and dignitaries, the Board of Trustees of Holy Name Medical Center today celebrated the grand opening of Cancer Support Community at Holy Name Medical Center. Holy Name is one of only seven hospitals nationwide and the only one in northern New Jersey to partner with Cancer Support Community (CSC), the largest professionally–led nonprofit of cancer support worldwide.

Uniting and continuing the mission of Gilda's Club, the affiliation with CSC enables Holy Name to provide a large number of free educational workshops, healthy lifestyle classes, social events and support groups to all members of the community whose lives have been impacted by cancer, including patients, survivors, caregivers, friends and family members.

"Holy Name has always been committed to providing our patients with a comprehensive range of cancer services, ranging from prevention and diagnosis to treatment and follow–up care through our state–of–the–art cancer center," said Michael Maron, President and CEO of Holy Name. "Joining with Cancer Support Community enhances that mission by offering the highest quality of social and emotional support for all members of the community impacted by cancer."

"The Cancer Support Community is extremely pleased to be entering into this partnership and applauds Holy Name Medical Center on its dedication to ensuring that patients in the community have access to vital services that will improve their quality of life and lead to better health outcomes," said Kim Thiboldeaux, CEO of the Cancer Support Community, which includes Gilda's Club affiliates around the country.

Among the participants celebrating the grand opening event was Angelica Berrie, President of the Board of Trustees of the Russell Berrie Foundation and one of the founding members of Gilda's Club, Bergen County.

"It's gratifying to see the mission and great work that Gilda's Club has been doing in North Jersey for many years continue at Holy Name," Berrie said. "The two are such a good fit – both organizations are known for the outstanding care and support they provide to their communities."

Dozens of patients and their loved ones have already been participating in a number of programs offered through Cancer Support Community at Holy Name, including cooking classes, jewelry–making sessions, tango lessons and yoga. The wide array of programs helps the organization fulfill its mission: To ensure that all people impacted by cancer are empowered by knowledge, strengthened by action and sustained by community.