Cancer Support Community at Gilda’s Club Rochester has received a $5,000 2025 Community Challenge grant as part of AARP’s $4.2 million commitment to fund 383 quick-action projects aimed at making communities more livable for people of all ages, with a focus on the needs of older adults.
The Community Challenge grant supports the organization’s objective to empower cancer patients who are 50 and older in the use of digital technology. Through its Digital Sherpa program, Cancer Support Community at Gilda’s Club Rochester aims to educate adult cancer patients on to how to safely use technology as a tool to help them through their cancer journey.
To assist cancer patients with digital empowerment, Cancer Support Community at Gilda’s Club Rochester will offer monthly seminars on navigating the digital world and provide one-on-one support for patients. Patients and their care partners can learn basic internet and social media skills. They can also learn how to access their patient portals and find information and support regarding their illness, as well as have their specific technology-related questions answered by a technology facilitator. Digital Empowerment workshops will focus each session on a specific technology platform or website such as: How to Navigate Your Patient Portal; How To Access the Internet; Identifying Credible Resources; Using Social Media to Connect and Learn; Using Mobile Devices to Improve Health; Using Telemedicine; and Accessing Mental Health and Support Group Resources.
“Navigating technology for older people can be intimidating and challenging given all the nuances of each platform. Fo cancer patients it can be even more so,” stated James F. Love, Cancer Support Community at Gilda’s Club Chief Executive Officer. “For those battling cancer, the navigation of some websites like MyChart, or even hospital and medical center websites, and the internet in general, can be confusing and frustrating. Through our Digital Sherpa program, the workshops will focus on specific technology topics, applications, and uses to help our adult members learn how to use the internet safely and, ultimately, be more comfortable in the use of technology as a valuable resource to support their cancer journey.”
The Cancer Support Community at Gilda’s Club Rochester, founded in 1959, is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to providing personalized support for anyone impacted by cancer including cancer patients of any age, family members and caregivers. They offer free programs designed to enhance emotional and mental well-being, promote a healthy lifestyle, encourage social connections, provide information and education, and referral assistance. Annually, Cancer Support Community at Gilda’s Club Rochester serves over 4,000 people and offers more than 1,000 free programs to meet the educational, social, emotional, and mental health needs of those navigating the challenges of a cancer journey. For more information, call 585-423-9700 or visit www.cscrochester.org.
Now in its ninth year, the Challenge has awarded $736,188 through 63 grants in New York since 2017 to nonprofit organizations and local government entities across the state. Grant projects will be funded in all 50 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. View the full list of grantees and their projects at aarp.org/communitychallenge. Learn more about AARP’s work to support livable communities at aarp.org/livable.
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