Gene Wilder, who passed away at the age of 83 this week, leaves behind a legacy of laughter and joy. But he also leaves behind a lesser known legacy – his contributions to cancer support.
Wilder met and fell in love with fellow comedian Gilda Radner while filming the 1982 film “Hanky Panky,” and the pair married in 1984. Their marriage was tragically cut short when Radner was diagnosed with and ultimately succumbed to ovarian cancer in 1989.
The cancer diagnosis and treatment process for Radner was grueling, and after her death Wilder vowed to do everything he could to help other cancer patients through the process. In 1991, he helped start Gilda’s Club, a place where cancer patients could meet and get support from one another.
“Gene had promised Gilda that no one should face cancer alone, a vow that moved Gilda’s Club forward as he served as its celebrity spokesperson,” Joanna Bull, founder of Gilda’s Club Worldwide, said in a news release.
The club grew, and in 2009 joined forces with The Wellness Community to create the Cancer Support Community, which offers support in more than 46 affiliates around the world – including at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center in Peoria. Wilder was an honorary board member with the Cancer Support Community until his death.
“In the `70s and `80s I fell in love with Wilder’s comedic genius,” said Kathi Copelen, coordinator at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center Cancer Clinics. “His work in ‘Blazing Saddles,’ ‘Young Frankenstein,’ ‘Silver Streak’ and ‘Willy Wonka’ are always referenced at our family get-togethers! But the movies he made with Gilda Radner were the ones that years later would change the face of cancer support.”
“Because of him, we’re able to offer social and emotional support programs for people with cancer and their families through the Cancer Support Community,” said Copelen.
How to help
Gene Wilder vowed to improve the cancer patient experience – and that’s what the OSF Saint Francis Cancer Clinics is devoted to as well.
In addition to the array of support programs in place, the Cancer Clinics is working with the Cancer Support Community to bring national attention to the struggles of cancer patients through Vice President Joe Biden’s Cancer Moonshot Task Force.
If cancer has touched you or a loved one, you can help. We’re hosting a series of meetings to gather input from our community to pass along to the Task Force. For more information about upcoming meetings, please call us at (309) 363-6429.
Last Updated: April 26, 2018