HELLO FRIENDS!

On Monday, June 28^th, 2021, I will be taking over Gilda’s Club Simcoe-Muskoka’s Instagram Account. To celebrate its namesake’s 75^th Birthday but also to bring awareness to Gilda’s Club Simcoe Muskoka. If you have followed me for a while, you know how proud I am of being a Gilda’s Club member and what an important role they have played in my cancer journeys.

I first became aware of Gilda’s Club back in 2007. My Dad was going through cancer treatments at Princess Margaret Hospital and staying at Princess Margaret Lodge. One day during a visit he showed me a Gilda’s Club pin he had found that said “Cancer Sucks!” He told me with a huge grin, “I am keeping this one!”

Years later in 2015 when I was first diagnosed with cancer, I discovered our local Gilda’s Club branch. I had gone through my surgery and was taking preventative radiation. As I sat in the waiting room at the RVH Cancer Centre waiting for my radiation session I came across the Gilda’s Club brochure. I knew of Gilda Radner as I am a long-time fan of Saturday Night Live but other than that pin, I didn’t know much about the club. I had recently started therapy at the Cancer Centre, and they recommended the club, so I decided to join.

One of the things I appreciated most about the club was that our family, friends, caregivers could also join. Although my Mom hasn’t used the club as much as I have, I am happy she has it as a resource when she needs it. The reality is cancer impacts EVERYONE, not just the person who is living with it.

Membership and the programming provided are free. Yes, I said free! The reality is Gilda’s Club is not funded by the government, so they really rely on the support of the Simcoe Muskoka community. As a member, I am not pressured at all to help fund Gilda’s. Personally, I feel the need to give back, financially and with my time, whenever I am able. Gilda’s Club has given me more than I could ever return so whatever small thing I can do to show my support I will.  If you ever want to look for ways to donate to Gilda’s, just go to their website and/or click the link in the bio of their Instagram page. “There is always something!” (to do a bit of a spin on the title of Gilda’s memoir “It’s Always Something!”) going on for you to participate in. Right now there is an amazing Car Lottery happening from the Kempenfelt Rotary Club. They are donating the proceeds to 3 local charities, Gilda’s Club being one. So always lots of opportunities out there, every little bit helps!

I have been asked often, what does Gilda’s Club mean to me?

To put it simply, and to use Gilda’s Club’s vision statement, “So that no one faces cancer alone,” Gilda’s Club has helped me build an invaluable “Cancer Community”, so I don’t have to face cancer alone.

On my first cancer journey in 2015, I was very guarded. I didn’t tell a lot of people. I held my cards close to my chest. I was fiercely independent, and I wanted to stay that way. BUT… thanks to therapy I learned the importance of sharing my story.

Throughout all the art classes, cooking classes, workshops, retreats, and group therapy that I attended at Gilda’s Club I slowly started to open up and share my journey. As a result, my “Cancer Community” started to form without me even realizing it.

I don’t think I truly realized the power of that community until I was officially diagnosed with my recurrence on December 30, 2019. One of my community members had reached out to wish me a Happy New Year and without thinking, I told him.

I shocked myself. I hadn’t told anyone but my Mom at this point. But I was scared. Actually, I was terrified. I needed someone who understood what that felt like to listen to me. He did that and more. He became a trusted confidant and support system for me with my second journey.

He encouraged me, strongly, to get a new oncologist. As I mentioned in my blog, Becoming Your Own Health Care Advocate, I was traumatized from my second cancer confirmation diagnosis, and I don’t use that word lightly, therapy has given me that language. It was the best advice I could have gotten. Since he had been through a similar experience, he was the only one who could have given that advice to me, or maybe better said, the only one I would have taken that advice from. He was, and still is, a good friend who gave me HOPE in my time of need. I wouldn’t have known him if it weren’t for Gilda’s Club.

The social workers at the club also made sure I knew they were there if I needed them. They didn’t push or bug, they just told me they would be there when I was ready. Although I did still do the odd virtual event with Gilda’s during chemo, it was hard for me to keep up I just didn’t have the energy. But eventually, as I started to get stronger and felt more comfortable, I came back. To my art classes, to my workshops, and to my group therapy. They were there as they promised they would be, and they continue to help me on this journey.

I will never be able to express in words how much Gilda’s Club has given to me. When people ask me for advice for their cancer journey it is one of the first resources I give. There are only two Gilda’s Clubs in Canada, we are so fortunate to have one in Simcoe Muskoka. Now since a lot of the programming has gone virtual thanks to the Pandemic, Gilda’s has extended its reach to an even broader audience.

I am so honoured to participate in the Gilda’s Club Simcoe Muskoka’s Instagram account for my Takeover on Monday, June 28^th.  I look forward to sharing my insights and answering your questions. There will be LOTS of opportunities to ask me questions about being a member. There is a question box available, and/or you can join one of the two LIVES I will do that day at 11:00 am and 3:00 pm EST.

Gilda’s Club is there for you and your people during your cancer journey. I hope to see you there!

Follow me on my social @JAYEMBarrie for my POSTS, REELS and IGTV or check out my website www.jayem.ca to stay informed on what I am doing. Share your questions or comments either in the comment box of my Instagram posts or in a DM.  Please note: I am not an expert or professional in the field of cancer. I am simply someone who has gone through it and living with it, doing my best to offer you my experience and advice in hopes that it helps.