What We Do
Cancer Is Complex. At Gilda’s Toronto, our philosophy is simple: we believe everyone living with cancer and their families should have a welcoming, supportive and inclusive community to rely on, cost-free, throughout their unique emotional journey. We ensure that they receive the highly individualized, social, emotional and mental support they deserve.
Whether having received a cancer diagnosis or being a member of someone’s personal support team, including the children and teens of those living with cancer, we’re passionate about providing emotional support that’s sometimes overlooked during cancer care. It can mean the difference between dread and hope. Loneliness and belonging. Isolation and connectedness. It’s at the heart of Gilda’s mission to make certain a person feels a measure of relief, reassurance and togetherness every day. Our commitment to comprehensive youth programming is a defining aspect of Gilda’s Toronto and one more way we work towards a world where everyone can live, while living with cancer.
Our holistic approach is unique – meticulously designed to dovetail with medical treatments through personalized education and lifestyle improvement. We understand the power of feeling that there’s an entire, caring community of support. By working with our community, with intention and empathy, our patients and their personal support team gain a sense of empowerment. They live with less isolation and stress. With more control.
Our therapeutic programs and services are evidence-based and delivered by mental health professionals. We begin by identifying important concerns across key areas of patients’ lives and screen for risk of clinical depression and anxiety. This enables us to provide truly tailored, individualized support. We guide people towards the most relevant mind and body programs and activities available at Gilda’s Toronto, so each person can choose their own personalized options.
Gilda’s Toronto is a community that has been welcoming people from all walks of life since 2001. We celebrate diversity in age, gender, race, and socio-economic status so that everyone can access the best possible support. Diversity helps us carry on Gilda Radner’s commitment that no one should face cancer alone.
Our Goal
We are here because Gilda believed people should have exceptional, comprehensive and evidence-based psychosocial cancer support. We meet their evolving needs through programs and services provided by a diverse group of professionals, partners and communities.
Our Purpose
To help people live, while living with cancer.
Our Core Values
Be Compassionate
Act With Integrity
Inclusive in All We Do
Work Collaboratively
Strive for Excellence
The Cancer Support Community (CSC)
Gilda’s Toronto is an affiliate of the CSC, a global community of 190 locations providing personalized cancer support, all free of charge, with an overarching mission and vision that all affiliates abide by.
To learn more about our affiliate, visit the Cancer Support Community website.
Mission
CSC uplifts and strengthens people impacted by cancer by providing support, fostering compassionate communities and breaking down barriers to care.
Vision
Everyone impacted by cancer receives the support they want and need throughout their experience.
