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Chicago, IL — The 500 block of Chicago's North Wells Street was shut down for 20 minutes this morning, to allow nearly 100 friends of Gilda's Club Chicago to gather for a short ceremony to celebrate the re-naming of the block "Gilda's Club Way."

The honorary new street name is a tribute to the non-profit cancer support group Gilda's Club Chicago, and its namesake, comedian Gilda Radner.

Chicago's famed comedy improv troupe The Second City dispatched company members Kevin McGeehan and Molly Erdman to kick off the event with an appropriately humorous/poignant outdoor performance of the classic Second City sketch "Bagpipes." Featured speakers included Chicago 42nd Ward Alderman Burton F. Natarus, CEO of The Second City Andrew Alexander, NBC5 news anchor Warner Saunders, and two members of Gilda's Club Chicago, Kathleen Lindsay and Cheryl Corley.

Gary Matthews from the Chicago Cubs helped Gilda's Club Chicago Executive Director Laura Jane Hyde conclude the festivities, by leading nearly 100 Gilda's Club members, guests, staff and supporters in a huge balloon release in celebration of the attention-getting new name and honorary street sign.

"As a member of Gilda's Club Chicago's honorary board, and a cancer survivor, I know how critical support is when someone is diagnosed with cancer," said event emcee Warner Saunders.  "I also know firsthand the importance of focusing on living when diagnosed with cancer, which is what Gilda's Club Chicago is all about."

Since opening in 1998, Gilda's Club Chicago has served more than 4,000 people, through programs including cancer support and networking groups, lectures, workshops and social events.  Behind its signature red door is a warm, welcoming meeting place where men, women and children diagnosed with cancer, and their family and friends, join with others to build social, emotional and informational support in a warm, home-like clubhouse, as an essential supplement to medical care.

"This is indeed a very special day for one of our city's finest jewels,"
said Alderman Natarus.  "I would like to thank my colleagues on the city council for recognizing the wonderful work of Gilda's Club Chicago, as evidenced by their unanimous support of this action."

Andrew Alexander added, "As the president of Second City, I can certainly say that Gilda Radner's legacy as a comedian is second to none.  However, I can honestly say that her legacy in creating Gilda's Club is far greater.
The grace with which our members come together and give and receive support at one of the most difficult points in their lives is an inspiration to us all."

Gilda Radner, born in Detroit in 1946, trained at The Second City before becoming an original member of Saturday Night Live, and creating memorable TV characters like Rosanne Rosannadanna, Emily Litella and Lisa Loopner.
Radner's astonishing career was cut short when she died of ovarian cancer in 1989.  In June 1995, Radner's husband, actor and comedian Gene Wilder, and many of her friends founded the first Gilda's Club in her memory in New York City. It was the realization of Radner's dream - to develop a community where anyone with cancer would receive the kind of help she had found through cancer support groups.

Today, Gilda's Club Chicago is one of 20 Clubs in North America, with seven more in development. The Chicago location is the second Gilda's Club to receive an honorary street name, following the New York club in September.

Gilda's Club Chicago is located at 537 N. Wells St., between Ohio and Grand, in Chicago's River North neighborhood.  Gilda's Club Chicago has an open door policy, and membership and programs are free of charge.  Hours of operation are Monday - Friday 9 am to 8 pm, Saturday 9 am to 3 pm, closed Sundays and Holidays.

If you or someone you know has cancer, call Gilda's Club Chicago, (312) 464-9900, or go to http://www.gildasclubchicago.org

Pictured, from left: NBC5 news anchor Warner Saunders, Laura Jane Hyde, Executive Director of Gilda's Club Chicago, Andrew Alexander, President of The Second City, and 42nd Ward Alderman Burton F. Natarus unveil the new "Gilda's Club Way" sign on the 500 block of North Wells Street in Chicago.
Photo credit: Michael Brosilow

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