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5 Things You Should Know About The Gathering Place

The Gathering Place - Race for the Place 2015

The Elk & Elk team at Race for the Place 2015 in support of The Gathering Place.

Since opening its doors 16 years ago, The Gathering Place has provided Northeast Ohio with a much-needed support system for those whose lives have been touched by cancer. More than 35,000 people have received emotional, physical, spiritual and social empowerment through the wide variety of programs and services.

Each year, Elk & Elk joins The Gathering Place in celebrating National Cancer Survivors Day at Race For The Place. The annual 5K race and 1 Mile walk is one of the organization’s biggest fundraisers, attracting thousands of participants each year.

Whether you’re a long-time supporter of The Gathering Place or learning about the organization for the first time, here are five things you should know:

1. All resources offered by The Gathering Place are free.

A cancer diagnosis often creates a huge financial burden for individuals and families. To help those affected focus on their battle, The Gathering Place offers all programs and services free of charge. The organization supports these efforts with the help of generous donations from the community, The Cleveland Foundation, local businesses and fundraisers like Race for the Place and Warehouse Sales.

2. It’s not just for those who have been diagnosed with cancer.

The Gathering Place recognizes that children, family members and friends of those battling the disease are also in need of support and empowerment during the difficult journey toward recovery or after the loss of a loved one. Learn about the variety of programs and services offered by The Gathering Place.

3. The Gathering Place is easily accessible for both East and West Siders.

Locations in Beachwood and Westlake make it convenient for anyone in the Cleveland area to take advantage of programs and services:

TGP East

The Arnold & Sydell Miller Family Campus

23300 Commerce Park

Beachwood, OH 44122

TGP West

800 Sharon Drive

Westlake, OH 44145

4. A full-time professional medical librarian is on staff.

Medical librarian Eileen Coan is on hand to explain pathology reports, locate clinical trials, make sense of alternative treatment options and much more. Eileen splits her time between the organization’s two locations, and is available to meet in person or by phone. She can also be reached with questions by email at [email protected]. Learn more about the resources available in The Gathering Place libraries.

5. The Gathering Place has its own wig salons.

Hair loss is a difficult aspect of cancer treatment for many women, but medical bills and other expenses take priority over the purchase of a wig when budgets become tight. Any woman experiencing cancer-related hair loss has the opportunity to receive a free synthetic wig at the Regina Brett Wig Salons.