Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-TjmNr7uPBI&list=PLOQvdw7d0cd9RZZkd2lZy2hmrnJv-cfLI&index=53
Evan: So we are back here on the Choose 954 podcast, episode 48, with Vanessa Seltzer, from Gilda's Club, which we’re currently sitting in right now. If you didn’t know about Choose 954, we started a social movement to cultivate culture and community here in Broward County, in an effort to keep people informed about all the great things going on and to make this a nice place to live, not just a better place to vacation. The point of the podcast is to connect you with amazing people like her, who are doing incredible things in the community. This podcast is brought to you by the Thousand Mermaids Artificial Reef Project, creating artistically crafted artificial reef modules to help save natural reefs, support ecotourism, provide research opportunities, save the fish, save the ocean, and save the planet. Find out more at www.1000mermaids.com.
Vanessa Seltzer: Hi, I’m Vanessa Seltzer. I’m the Development Director at Gilda’s Club, and I’ve been here now for four years. I’ve been a part of the nonprofit sector in Broward County for about 10-11 years, and I’ve been specifically in development for seven years. I’ve worked with foster care, food distribution, and now Gilda’s Club. Outside of this nonprofit work, I like to volunteer my time.
Evan: And you do a lot of volunteering!
Vanessa Seltzer: Yes, we laugh because I tend to not be able to say no! But I do a lot with the Fort Lauderdale Chamber. I’m the Secretary for the Women’s Council Board and the incoming Chair for the West Broward Business Council, all under the Chamber. I’m also on the board for the Association of Fundraising Professionals. I like to volunteer my time and my passion for fundraising and the community to the Backpack Barber Foundation, which you’re also involved in, helping the homeless one haircut and conversation at a time, and the Elite Foundation, which helps survivors of human trafficking and sex trafficking here in South Florida.
Evan: You’re truly a phenomenal community builder, and you’re helping create a phenomenal community here at Gilda’s Club. For those who aren’t familiar, could you tell us a little about Gilda’s Club?
Vanessa Seltzer: Sure! Gilda’s Club is a Cancer Support Community. We were founded after Gilda Radner, the original Saturday Night Live cast member, went through her own cancer journey. When she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer, she realized that although she was surrounded by family and friends, no one really understood what she was going through. So she went to a place in California called The Wellness Center, where they "got it." They created a sense of community around those impacted by cancer. She wanted to create a place like that for everyone across the nation.
Unfortunately, when she passed away, her husband Gene Wilder and their friends opened the original Gilda’s Club in New York. Shortly after, through some of our founders, we expanded nationally. Now, we’re part of a national organization, and we’ve partnered with our sister organization, Cancer Support Community, which oversees our headquarters. Together, we have over 100 locations throughout the nation.
Evan:: That’s amazing. You’re providing such a valuable service to so many people. What’s the main mission of Gilda’s Club?
Vanessa Seltzer: Our main mission is to provide a safe, welcoming place for anyone affected by cancer—whether it’s the person diagnosed, their family, friends, or caregivers. Everyone going through this can come through our big red door and receive services absolutely free, in a place that feels like home. We’re literally in a home, located at the corner of Biddy and Andrews, at 119 Rose Drive in Fort Lauderdale.
Evan:: You mentioned that you have several models to support the community. Can you talk more about the support groups?
Vanessa Seltzer: Yes! Right now, we’re sitting in one of our support group rooms. Our support groups are led by licensed professionals, but the members themselves are the real experts on their own journeys. They lead the conversations, they check on each other outside of the group, and they really support one another. It’s about building a sense of community. We have support groups for survivors, caregivers, kids, a gay men’s networking group, a men’s group, and a bereavement group, among others. We started with just eight support groups, and now we’re up to 19, with a 75% growth in just our support groups.
Evan: That’s incredible growth. It really speaks to the need for these kinds of services. What else do you offer besides support groups?
Vanessa Seltzer: Outside of support groups, we offer healthy living classes. We empower our members to focus on mind, body, and spirit while also providing them with knowledge about their treatment. We offer everything from yoga and tai chi to watercolor classes, book clubs, and writing clubs. One of our most popular classes is our improv class, led by Lenny and Ellie on Fridays. Some members only attend yoga or writing and that becomes their community.
Evan: You’ve really created such a wide variety of opportunities for people to connect and grow. And you also hold educational events, right?
Vanessa Seltzer: Yes, we’ve partnered with all the major hospitals in the area, like Memorial, Broward Health, and Holy Cross, as well as growing relationships with Baptist Health and Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center. We bring in specialists and oncologists who speak to our members on various subjects, from palliative care and hematology to clinical trials and treatments. We also focus on holistic topics like the power of laughter, stress management, and clean eating.
Evan: That’s wonderful. You’re giving people access to so much valuable information in a comfortable, welcoming environment.
Vanessa Seltzer: Yes, that’s the goal. We want our members to feel empowered and comfortable, so we hold these sessions in an intimate setting, where they can ask questions and get the support they need. It’s not a cold, clinical environment—it’s a warm space with familiar faces.
Evan: And you also have social events! I heard about Gilda’s Got Talent.
Vanessa Seltzer: Yes, Gilda’s Got Talent was such a fun night! One of our members had lost some of the use of his voice due to his cancer, but he practiced for a long time and was able to serenade his wife during the talent show. It was a special moment, and you could see how proud he felt. It’s moments like that that make everything we do worthwhile.
Evan: That’s beautiful. Gilda’s Club is really providing a space where people can support each other, have fun, and build community, even in the face of such a tough journey.
Vanessa Seltzer: Exactly. We want to show people that there is life beyond cancer, but we’ll also support them every step of the way.
Evan: You provide such valuable services. I think, unfortunately, we all know someone who has been affected by cancer, and not everyone knows that these resources are available for free. How are you able to offer all of this at no cost to the community?
So, I mean, that's a great point. All of us have been impacted by cancer in some way, right? One in two men and one in three women will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime. It’s a reality, there’s science behind it—it’s happening. So for us, just like with our membership and our clubhouse, it’s the community that drives us and keeps us going. We have corporate donors who help us keep the lights on. We’re very big on food because we’re a big family, and we like to eat. If there’s food, you know people are coming! We provide food at all of our events or at least most. For example, Wednesday nights are our biggest support group night. We have about four to five support groups happening at the same time, and it’s a really beautiful time. At 5:30, the house is full of people all having dinner together, like one big family. Then everyone goes into their specific support group, and the family hones in to support their own.
Vanessa Seltzer: Exactly. We have corporate sponsors that cover the cost of those dinners, one being Dignity Memorial, which is a huge supporter of ours. They cover dinners once each quarter. That’s a great opportunity for sponsorship. We also have grants, family foundations, endowments, and individual donors—our amazing board members are all individual donors. We also have community donors, and you’d be amazed at how much their contributions add up. Additionally, we invite people to host third-party events, like barbecues or family dinners. We’ve had people organize car washes or office events where employees pay five bucks to wear jeans on a Friday, and they donate the proceeds to us.
Evan: That’s amazing. It really adds up and helps keep everything running.
Vanessa Seltzer: Yes! And we’ve had long-standing supporters like O’Malleys Benevolent Pub, which does an event for us every year. It’s all about people giving back in a way that helps them connect to us in a real way, and we’re thankful for that.
Evan: And you also have your own events, right? Let’s talk about Gilda’s Club events.
Vanessa Seltzer: Yes, we have five main events every year, and we like to do them differently. We really try to stand out from other nonprofits. Our first event is Over the Edge, which will be on October 5th. That’s probably the one people see the most on social media. There’s still space to get involved, so please do! Over the Edge is where you can rappel down the Autonation building in downtown Fort Lauderdale to raise funds for Gilda’s Club. If you’ve ever looked at the building and thought, “I’d love to scale down that one day,” here’s your chance.
Evan: So, rappelling down a building for charity! That’s an amazing way to raise awareness.
Vanessa Seltzer: Absolutely! On October 4th, we’ll have our media day, where seven local influencers and personalities, including Stanley C. Panther in full gear, will rappel down the building to kick off the event. Then on Saturday, October 5th, over 50 individuals—many of whom have been impacted by cancer—will rappel down. A lot of them are in teams, like the Fort Lauderdale Superwomen. My own team’s goal is to raise $4,000. I did it last year, and it was a lot of fun, so this year I’m raffling off my spot. It’s a super safe event, run by professionals from Over the Edge, and you get an amazing view of Las Olas.
Evan: Sounds like a blast!
Vanessa Seltzer: It really is! And we’re turning it into a full block party at the bottom, with Circle House Coffee, Mojo Donuts, McDonald’s, and more. We’ll have chair massages from Elements Massage, music, and it’ll be a lot of fun. If you want to watch, we’ll be out there from about 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., and it’s not too late to sign up! You can go to Gilda’s Club South Florida's website and register. If you don’t hit the $1,000 fundraising goal by the event, you have 30 days afterward to reach it.
Evan: That’s incredible! I know a thousand dollars sounds like a lot, but with community support, it can add up quickly.
Vanessa Seltzer: Exactly. And it’s a great way for people to come together for a good cause. Cancer has impacted all of us in some way. For me personally, when I started working at Gilda’s Club, I had experienced cancer only through friends. My father was diagnosed with skin cancer at age 89, thankfully a small case that was treated with surgery and radiation. But then, unfortunately, a high school friend of mine passed away from breast cancer at just 30 years old this past spring. It hit me hard. Now, more than ever, I’m dedicated to this mission because cancer touches everyone’s life eventually.
Evan: It’s so important to raise awareness about the mental health aspects and the support that’s available. Gilda’s Club offers such a crucial service to the community.
Vanessa Seltzer: Yes, it’s all about mental health and supporting one another. If you or someone you know is impacted by cancer, come to Gilda’s Club. We’re here for you, and we’re always open. The worst thing I hear in my job is, “I wish I knew about this sooner.” That just eats me up inside because we’re here, ready to help. We just need to get the word out. That’s why I do so much in the community.
Evan: It’s such a valuable resource. You mentioned you also offer services outside of the clubhouse?
Vanessa Seltzer: Yes! We have Gilda’s on the Go, which is our support group model outside of the clubhouse. We have groups at Holy Cross, Sylvester, and other locations throughout Broward. We also have a Women of Color program and a Women Partnering with Women program, which focuses on helping underinsured women get their annual exams and providing resources, regardless of background or sexual orientation.
Evan: That’s wonderful. And you have more events coming up too, right?
Vanessa Seltzer: Yes, we also have our Jet Cruise en Rouge event, which is an around-the-world-themed party in an airport hangar. It’s going to be a carnival theme this year with South American street food, drinks, music, and a great time. It’ll be on February 21st, 2020.
Evan: That sounds like such a fun night!
Vanessa Seltzer: It really is! Memorial Healthcare System is our title sponsor, and we have some other great sponsors supporting the event. We also have Day of Research & Hope, which is a free conference on the latest cancer treatments and clinical trials. It’s a great opportunity for patients, caregivers, and healthcare professionals to learn and earn free continuing education credits.
Evan: That’s amazing! Where can people find more information?
Vanessa Seltzer: You can find everything on our website, gildasclubsouthflorida.org. We also have a cancer hotline for people who may not be near a Gilda’s Club location, so there’s always support available. And if you’d like to support us, you can do so in three ways: with your time by volunteering, with your talents (we need PR professionals, IT professionals, etc.), or with your treasure through donations. Every dollar stays local and goes toward helping people in Broward County.
Evan: Thank you, Vanessa. What you’re doing is truly incredible. If you’re listening, please support Gilda’s Club. We’ll put all the links in the comments on Facebook and YouTube.
Vanessa Seltzer: Thank you! We’re here to help, and we appreciate all the support.
Evan: And just being ahead of time, I think, is pretty moving. You know, people always ask me, "What’s something to get involved in?" and generally, people want to get involved in something that relates to them. There are so many different things, but this is a cause you can really feel and see. A lot of times, people want to get involved in something tangible—something they can touch and feel. Yes, people donate to research foundations, and that’s important, but there’s no immediate tangible impact. This is different. We all know someone who has been affected by cancer, so I would encourage you to get involved with Over the Edge and other events. We’ll link them in the comments, and you can find out more. We really do appreciate you taking the time to listen.
Vanessa Seltzer: One other thing that I wanted to mention is an upcoming event for a nonprofit I’m involved in as the executive director, among other roles. We have a Shop and Share event coming up at Lilly Pulitzer. Lilly Pulitzer on Las Olas is amazing. They told me they actually don’t have enough nonprofits taking part in this program. So, what they do is, they’ll take a day that works for your schedule, and they’ll donate a portion of the sales for that day. It’s not an inexpensive store, so it’s a great opportunity. They also provide champagne and light bites, they do the marketing, they make the flyers, and we even did a press release and podcast with them in the previous episode—Episode 47. So, The Thousand Mermaids Artificial Reef Project will be out there, and you can meet us. We’ll have mermaid selfie tails for a fun photo op, and they even have a mermaid print line in the store. The event will be on October 5th from 12 to 6. Stop by for some champagne, check out what they have, and support this very important cause to help save the reefs.
Evan: If you want to be part of the community and get some inspiration, maybe to start something new or meet like-minded or creative individuals, we encourage you to join Creative Zen, which is our monthly breakfast lecture series. It’s a mini TED talk that we host for free every second Friday morning of the month. Doors open at 8:30, the talk starts at 9, and you’re out of there by 10. We provide free coffee and breakfast bites, thanks to our sponsor, Cow Bakery and Café. We bring in thought-provoking speakers, like startup founders, entrepreneurs, artists, creatives, and doctors. This month, we’re very excited to have Darius Daughtry, a spoken word poet and nonprofit leader in our community. He’s the founder of The Art Prevails Project, working with kids and adults to explore their creative outlets through spoken word and performance. He’s a former teacher and brilliant poet. That event will be on October 12th at Yellow Creative Arts in the Veda Center, which is a beautiful dance studio and much more.
Vanessa Seltzer: Yes, and some of the other nonprofits we’re involved in also have events coming up. On October 1st, which is National Terrific Haircut Day, the Backpack Barber Foundation will be at the Broward Partnership for the Homeless North site in Pompano, giving free haircuts. We’re asking for hairstylists to volunteer—men’s or women’s cuts are welcome. You can find out more on the Backpack Barber Foundation Facebook page or website. We’re looking for people to donate water and toiletries, too. It’s going to be a great day of service.
Evan: Absolutely. Greg Young, who is the founder of the Backpack Barber Foundation, was able to turn his own struggles with homelessness and addiction into a powerful force for good in our community. His foundation not only provides free haircuts to those in need but also offers conversations and backpacks full of supplies. He donates his time and resources because he understands the struggles these people face. It’s an incredibly worthwhile cause, and if you’re passionate about helping the homeless or at-risk youth, we need your help.
Vanessa Seltzer: Yes, and we also need case managers and social workers who can volunteer their time and expertise to help connect these people with resources. We’re always looking for more organizations to partner with. This is about giving a voice to the invisible population that needs us the most.
Evan: Exactly. It’s a critical issue, and it affects everyone, whether you realize it or not. The homeless crisis in Broward County is one of the most pressing issues we face right now. It impacts businesses, communities, and human lives. We need to come together to find solutions.
Vanessa Seltzer: Yes, it’s not just a city problem. It’s everywhere. There are good people who just fell on hard times, and we need to support them. I have a personal friend who is a veteran, and he ended up on the streets because of PTSD and health issues. If it weren’t for the VA and some of our friends, he wouldn’t be where he is today. These are real people, and they deserve our help.
Evan: Absolutely. If this conversation has inspired you to get involved, whether with a nonprofit, charity, or community initiative, I encourage you to take that step. We’re both extremely busy, yet we still find time to sit on nonprofit boards and volunteer because it’s the right thing to do.
Vanessa Seltzer: Exactly. You don’t have to give hours and hours of your time. Even one hour or ten dollars can make a difference. Broward County alone has over 12,000 nonprofits. If you’re not sure where to start, reach out to us. I’m happy to help guide you toward an organization that fits your passions.
Evan: Well said. The nonprofit community really helps shape the heart of Broward County. Whether you donate your time or your resources, every little bit helps make a better community. You don’t always have to volunteer with a 501(c)(3) to make an impact, either. There are plenty of other ways to get involved and do good.
Vanessa Seltzer: Exactly. There’s so much need out there, whether it's mentoring kids, supporting homeless initiatives, or helping clean up our environment. Whatever your passion is, there’s a way to give back.
Evan: Couldn’t agree more. Thank you, Vanessa, for sharing all of this. For those listening, we hope you feel inspired to get involved in your community, however you can. You can always reach out to us with any questions.
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