“When I first started attending Gilda’s Club in 2009, I was newly diagnosed with breast cancer,” shares Jamie Steckelberg, the Amy Nickles Above and Beyond the Call of Duty (ABCD) Award Winner for 2024. Jamie first came to Gilda’s Club as a member, attending Family Night with her partner and their three-and-a-half-year-old daughter. Jamie’s connection with Gilda’s Club has evolved over the years, and she has left her mark on countless lives. As Lannia Stenz, Gilda’s Club Executive Director/CEO, shared during the volunteer celebration, “Over the past 15 years, we’ve had the joy of knowing Jamie in many roles: educator, writer, facilitator, and friend.” The spark that eventually became “Write to Heal” started when Jamie was a Gilda’s Club member. “One week I was browsing the library at Gilda’s and a book fell into my hands off the shelf: “Words that Heal” by Sharon Bray. I researched and discovered that a professional writing organization called Amherst Writers and Artists facilitated training for those who wanted to create their own writing groups,” she remembers. She decided to travel to a group in California, where the idea for “Write to Heal” was born.“While there, I immediately envisioned creating a group for people like me who enjoyed writing or journaling as a way of dealing with cancer,” she remembers. Jamie shared her idea with Kirsten, the Program Director at Gilda’s Club. Kirsten immediately supported it, and together they launched a group that has been going strong for several years. Visit our website to continue reading the blog: https://www.gildasclubmadison.org/blog/champion-spotlight-jamie-steckelberg/ (fb)

Come join us in person or virtually for BollyBeat with Manisha! Wednesdays | May 14–June 18 | 6:00–6:30 PM Gilda’s Club (7907 UW Health Ct, Middleton) or via Zoom Join Manisha Bhargava for a fun, high-energy Bollywood-inspired dance workout. No experience needed - just come ready to move and have fun! About the instructor: Manisha is a health and wellness coach, professional Indian dancer, hatha-yoga teacher, and Bollywood dance-fitness instructor. If you're joining us in person, stick around after for Community Salad from 6:30–7:30 PM. We'll provide greens and dressings; you bring a topping to share. Registration is required. Sign up here: tinyurl.com/bollybeat (fb)