Gilda's Club Rumors Put to Rest

Rumors about the cancer support club, Gilda's Club, are being put to rest. A chapter in Wisconsin decided to change its name prompting questions for branches across the country.
   
The Rochester branch remains Gilda's Club.
   
Gilda Radner was a top comedian and star on "Saturday Night Live." She died from ovarian cancer. Her death brought national attention to that disease.

"A big part of what our mission is, which is, even though you are going through something like cancer, you need to be able to laugh, you need to be able to live your life and enjoy it and that's really what she brought to the beginning of this organization that has created a name for her," said Bob Russell, Executive Director of Rochester Gilda's Club.

But now, Gilda's Club in Madison, Wisconsin decided to change its name. The branch felt young people didn't recognize the name. The story hit the internet and that's when rumors began to spread.

Don't worry. The Rochester chapter is not following in Madison's footsteps.

"I think one person said a lot of younger people don't know who Betty Ford is but it doesn't take away the importance of the work that the Betty Ford Clinic does. For us, it's the same thing," said Russell.

"We are proud to be Gilda's Club. That's what people know us as. That's what we will continue to move forward as," said Russell.    

The Rochester chapter is a resource for not just those fighting cancer, but their family and friends because Russell says that's what Gilda was all about.