Our History
“Attending the programs…in Florida in 2004 was the best decision I ever made. I was welcomed with warmth, kindness and understanding.” – Gerlinde Kehlenbach, founder of The Cancer Support Community – Southern Connecticut, Inc. (CSC-SCT).
After hearing about the wonderful programs that many people across the country experienced at Wellness Communities (one of the predecessor organizations that became the Cancer Support Community in 2009), a group of interested individuals met in July 2005 to work toward bringing a chapter to the Greater New Haven/Connecticut Shoreline area.
As a result, The Wellness Community-Southern Connecticut was incorporated in October 2005, with plans to provide services to four counties: Fairfield, New Haven, Middlesex and New London. Following the merger of The Wellness Community and Gilda’s Club in 2009, the organization became The Cancer Support Community-Southern Connecticut.
A committed Board of Directors has been meeting 10 times a year and is now working diligently to establish a Cancer Support Community facility in Southern Connecticut that will provide professionally led programs at no charge to members when its doors open. The Board of Directors conducted a Feasibility Study in the fall of 2008. In addition, an in-depth Needs Assessment was performed by students of the Yale School of Public Health during the 2009 Spring Semester. Utilizing these key documents and guides, the Board of Directors has undertaken a major fundraising campaign, “Open Our Doors”, to open a facility and begin providing a wide range of programs.
While a facility and full range of programming remains under development, members of the Board of Directors continue to participate in educational and community events to offer a taste of our educational programs, and to disseminate information about the organization. The following is a brief history of our community involvement through 2011:
2006
- June 2 First Annual Fund Raiser, Laurel View Country Club
- June 17 Branford Craft & Community Expo
- October 14 Harvest Festival, Guilford
- November 1-4 Attendance at the National Conference of The Wellness Community
- November 10 “Frankly Speaking About Lung Cancer,” Yale New Haven Hospital
2007
- May 17 Second Annual Spring Dinner and Auction, Laurel View Country Club
- June 16 Branford Craft & Community Expo
- September 15 Northeast Cancer Survivor Summit
- September 19 “New Discoveries in Cancer,” Yale Cancer Center
- September 29 “The Patient Active Guide to Living with Advanced Breast Cancer” St. Raphaels
- October 10 “The Patient Active Guide to Living with Breast Cancer” Yale Cancer Center
- October 13 Macy’s Shop for a Cause
2008
- May 13 Cancer Survival Day, Yale Cancer Center
- June 6 Annual Fundraiser “Comedy Night & Silent Auction,” Eli’s on Whitney
- June 14 Branford Craft & Community Expo
- September 7 Feasibility Study
- September 27 First Annual Wellness Cup Regatta, Branford
- November 13 Fearless Care Giver Conference
- November 12 “Frankly Speaking About Colorectal Cancer,” Yale Cancer Center
2009
- January 27 Madison Newcomer’s Business Expo
- June 3 Cancer Survivor Day, Yale Cancer Center
- June 16 First Annual Golf Tournament, The Farms Country Club, Wallingford
- June 20 Branford Craft & Community Expo
- October 3-4 Second Annual Wellness Cup Regatta, Branford
2010
- March 10 “Frankly Speaking About Colorectal Cancer,” Yale Cancer Center
- March 27 “Frankly Speaking About Lung Cancer,” symposium at Yale Cancer Center
- May 25 Start of Breast Cancer Support Group, Branford
- May 26 Cancer Survivor Day at Yale Cancer Center, New Haven
- June 19 Branford Festival
- June 29 TMA Golf Tournament, The Farms Country Club, Wallingford
- August 21-22 Action Sports Bicycle Center Grand Opening, Branford
- October 1-3 Third Annual Wellness Cup Regatta, Branford
- October 10 Lee National Denim Day
- November 3 “Frankly Speaking About Lung Cancer,” symposium at Yale Cancer Center
