A cancer diagnosis can be an extremely isolating experience that triggers many emotions including fear, anger, depression and an overwhelming sense of helplessness. Gilda’s Club New York City (GCNYC) is a non-profit dedicated to helping New Yorkers who have been impacted by a cancer diagnosis – men, women, teens and children – learn how to live with cancer. Our innovative program is an essential complement to medical care, providing networking and support groups, workshops, educational lectures and social activities, all free of charge. More important, we provide welcoming communities where people living with cancer, young and old, can share their experiences with others who understand what it means to be living with cancer. At Gilda’s Club, we believe no one should face cancer alone.
The “It’s Always Something” Teen Essay Contest was started four years ago to provide a forum for teens in grades 9-12 to share their own personal cancer experience with other teens. A cancer diagnosis in the family is particularly hard on teens, who may have difficulty expressing their feelings, and whose parents may not know how to talk to them. The essay contest provides them with an outlet to initiate a crucial dialogue about the impact of a cancer diagnosis in the family.
Through the generous support of the Heidi Paoli Fund, Gilda’s Club NYC has now been able to publish selected essays from the “It’s Always Something” Teen Essay Contest—a first for Gilda’s Club NYC. This special publication of selected works from the 2010-2013 Teen Essay Contests provides teens with a forum to express themselves that many did not think was possible and helps to educate the public about the issues teens who are living with cancer face. We hope by publishing these essays other teens will understand that they do not have to face cancer alone.
Our annual “It’s Always Something” Teen Essay Contest will continue to contribute to the mission of GCNYC and help identify teens who may benefit from our free cancer support program, Teens Connect, as well as educate a wider community about the benefit of social and emotional support for everyone living with cancer.
We could never accomplish what we do without the support of our special community of volunteers, donors and our Gilda’s Club New York City staff. It is an endless list of people who truly believe in what we do and for whom we are forever grateful. Special thanks to our contributing teens, our judges, Dennis Paoli and the Heidi Paoli Foundation, Nancy Cambino, Michele Halusic, Tonya Hurley, Tracy Hurley Martin, William Morris Endeavor/212 Books, Kevin Dixon, Emma Stone and Migdalia Torres – all of whom have made the Teen Essay Contest what it is today.
Lily Safani
CEO
Gilda’s Club New York City