Mission
When someone is diagnosed with cancer, it touches not only that person, but also everyone around them. For over 20 years, Cancer Pathways (formerly Gilda’s Club Seattle) has stayed true to its mission ‘facing cancer together’ by offering deep and far-reaching support for people in their homes, schools, workplaces and communities. We host community events and educational forums, provide cancer support navigation services, counseling, support groups, community events, educational workshops, teen education, wellness classes, kids camp, and workplace support. Over 80% of our revenues are spent on our programs. We provide these services at no cost to participants thanks to the generosity of donors and supporters.
Ruling year
1996
Founder & Executive Director
Anna Gottlieb
Main address
1400 Broadway
Seattle, WA 98122 USA
Formerly known as
Gildas Club of Seattle
EIN
91-1742315
NTEE code
Cancer (G30)
Alliance/Advocacy Organizations (F01)
Health Support Services (E60)
IRS filing requirement
This organization is required to file an IRS Form 990 or 990-EZ.
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Communication
Programs and results
What we aim to solve
Life is never the same after a cancer diagnosis or after the loss of a loved one to cancer--not for those living with cancer, for their caregivers, loved ones, colleagues, or for those in their community. For some people, cancer is a deadly disease and for others, its effects are life-long and chronic. For everyone, cancer’s impact extends beyond the medical scope; it takes a toll on people on many levels including emotional, social, financial and physical. Nearly everyone knows someone who has had cancer but not everyone knows where to turn to for community, education, and support--all of which are essential services to help people survive and thrive. At Cancer Pathways, our programs are designed to empower people touched by cancer and enhance their well-being, as well as educate all in our community about cancer prevention and risk reduction.
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
Cancer Happens©
Through our Cancer Happens© program, we empower and educate high school students on how to reduce their future risk of cancer. We create safe spaces for youth to talk about cancer, where to turn for social and emotional support, and ways to improve their health trajectory. As of January of 2023 we have served over 117,000 students with our Cancer Happens program.
Camp Sparkle & Family Program
Camp Sparkle is our free, summer day-camp for children ages 5-12 and teens ages 13-15 who have been impacted by cancer. Through camp, we seek to strengthen a child’s foundation so that they can thrive in the future. They acquire lifelong tools enabling them to cope with the social and emotional effects of cancer (e.g., anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms) and strengthen relationships with others. Through camp, we seek to build up a child’s foundation so that they can thrive now and in the future. Camp is offered in-person in the state of Washington and virtually to youth across the nation. As of January 2023, 2,500 + youth have participated in our Camp Sparkle and Family Program.
Cancer Unwrapped Teen Writing Contest
Our Cancer Unwrapped teen writing contest presents an opportunity for teens to wield the power of the pen to change the world so we can better understand their encounter with cancer. Winning essays are shared on our website for others to read and know that they are not alone. As of January 2023, there have been 7,500+ teens that have submitted an essay.
Cancer in the Workplace
Navigating the intersection between one’s workplace and cancer is complex. With our Cancer in the Workplace program, we shine a light on these challenges and explore practices that help enhance a workplace culture for employers and employees impacted by cancer. We also offer workplace education, workplace 360 feedback, and support groups designed to enhance communication and empathy. More than 65+ companies and organizations have taken part in the program.
Weekly Support Groups and Wellness Classes
Our support groups and wellness classes are aimed at offering participants a safe place to connect, process emotions, reduce stress, improve overall wellness, and navigate a recent diagnosis. Weekly sessions are facilitated by licensed professionals and available online. At Cancer Pathways, we’re not just on the sidelines supporting you; we are walking with you. We currently offer groups covering:
Survivorship
Living with Cancer
Caregivers
Bereavement
Lung Cancer
Parent Grief Group
Parents Living with Cancer
Mindfulness Based Arts Group
Yoga
In addition, our licensed social work team provides 1:1 emotional support sessions and family support sessions. Since opening, we have seen and supported over 4,100+ people.
Community Education
Everyone’s experience with cancer is different, but no one has to face cancer alone. Our Community Education program is here to offer help and hope through the powerful voices of experts in our community. We work to provide education in various formats to meet people where they're at in their experience with cancer. Our community education manifests in a variety of ways. A few to name are:
EnCOMPASSING Cancer Podcast
Webinars and Workshops
Community Events
Cancer Awareness Days
Cessation Clinics
Online Resource Hub
Through our community education we've been able to reach over 325,000+ people. To listen to our podcast visit: https://open.spotify.com/show/5ThI6mUlqkE0sAvuJPMQlA?si=708b87cce9ec44b6
Where we work
External reviews
Videos
Our results
How does this organization measure their results? It's a hard question but an important one.
Number of children who have the skills necessary to maintain personal health
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Adolescents, Teachers
Related Program
Cancer Happens©
Type of Metric
Outcome - describing the effects on people or issues
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
To date, have reached 117,000+ teens in schools and youth organizations through our Cancer Happens program, which empowers kids to change their health trajectory via education & community engagement.
Number of competition winners declared
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Adolescents
Related Program
Cancer Unwrapped Teen Writing Contest
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Holding steady
Context Notes
As of 2023, over 7,500 teens have submitted essays nationally for our Cancer Unwrapped teen writing contest. Winning essays are posted on our website.
Number of teachers recruited
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Teachers, Adolescents
Related Program
Cancer Happens©
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Holding steady
Context Notes
Through our Cancer Happens program, we have reached teens by working with educators in over 120 different classrooms across the nation. As of 2023, we have impacted 117,000+ teens.
Average number of days taken to respond to customers
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Family relationships
Related Program
Weekly Support Groups and Wellness Classes
Type of Metric
Outcome - describing the effects on people or issues
Direction of Success
Holding steady
Context Notes
Our social worker responds within 24 hours of a person reaching out to Cancer Pathways for help.
Number of groups/individuals benefiting from tools/resources/education materials provided
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Related Program
Weekly Support Groups and Wellness Classes
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Number of rallies/events/conferences/lectures held to further mission
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Related Program
Cancer in the Workplace
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Holding steady
Number of unique website visitors
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Related Program
Community Education
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Number of participants counseled
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Related Program
Camp Sparkle & Family Program
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Our Sustainable Development Goals
Learn more about Sustainable Development Goals.
Goals & Strategy
Learn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.
Charting impact
Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.
What is the organization aiming to accomplish?
When someone is diagnosed with cancer, it impacts not only that person, but also everyone around them. ‘Facing cancer together’ requires deep and far-reaching support for patients, survivors, their caregivers and their family members. At Cancer Pathways, we immediately respond to anyone who reaches out to us for help and help connect them to our programs, matching them to services that meet their needs based on their age, stage in life, and where they are in their experience with cancer. We advance cancer prevention through education and awareness events while providing services to people to improve their well-being.
What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?
For over 20 years, we have achieved our goals through programs, support groups, and social networking events for those touched by cancer. We amplify the voices of all those who have been impacted by cancer. We strive to remove the stigma associated with cancer and provide people with a sense of belonging to a caring community. Our annual Gala and "Surviving with Style" fashion show are a few of the many ways we engage the community to highlight cancer survivor stories and help people connect with one another. Other community events include: a national teen writing contest, partnerships with local breweries, events with Girls Scouts, cancer awareness days, and more! We represent the patient voice through our engagement with expert advisory panels, researchers, government officials, and with industry leaders.
What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?
We have long standing partnerships in the city, state, and across the nation. Our organization works closely with local community members and officials, public health leaders, hospitals, and schools within diverse communities to ensure that the services we develop are culturally relevant, informative, empowering, and free to all audiences. To provide equitable access, we spend over 81% of our budget on our programs. This allows us to deliver cost-free services and support. Cancer is expensive and exhausting; our services are free and accessible to all those facing cancer.
What have they accomplished so far and what's next?
Since 2001, Cancer Pathways has served adults, children and teens whose lives have been impacted by cancer. Each year, Cancer Pathways spends over 81% of its operating budget on programs and support services that foster a welcoming community for everyone living with cancer.
Cancer Pathways has reached over half a million people, with the majority being served in the state of Washington. In 2020, Cancer Pathways expanded its program and services to include virtual offerings, reaching more communities across the nation.
How we listen
Seeking feedback from people served makes programs more responsive and effective. Here’s how this organization is listening.
-
How is your organization using feedback from the people you serve?
To identify and remedy poor client service experiences, To identify bright spots and enhance positive service experiences, To make fundamental changes to our programs and/or operations, To inform the development of new programs/projects, To identify where we are less inclusive or equitable across demographic groups, To strengthen relationships with the people we serve, To understand people's needs and how we can help them achieve their goals
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Which of the following feedback practices does your organization routinely carry out?
We collect feedback from the people we serve at least annually, We take steps to get feedback from marginalized or under-represented people, We aim to collect feedback from as many people we serve as possible, We take steps to ensure people feel comfortable being honest with us, We look for patterns in feedback based on demographics (e.g., race, age, gender, etc.), We look for patterns in feedback based on people’s interactions with us (e.g., site, frequency of service, etc.), We engage the people who provide feedback in looking for ways we can improve in response, We act on the feedback we receive, We tell the people who gave us feedback how we acted on their feedback, We ask the people who gave us feedback how well they think we responded
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What challenges does the organization face when collecting feedback?
It is difficult to find the ongoing funding to support feedback collection
Financials
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Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
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Connect with nonprofit leaders
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- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
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Cancer Pathways
Board of directorsas of 03/24/2023
Mr. David Raney
Sound Community Bank
Term: 2018 -
ANNE BRYANT
PHYSICANS INSURANCE A MUTUAL CO.
PAUL OKERLUND
SOUND TALENT LLC
BRYCE FISHER
MERRILL LYNCH
JOHN GARNER
COMMUNITY VOLUNTEER
MOLLY HILL
COMMUNITY VOLUNTEER
DAVID RANEY
SOUND COMMUNITY BANK
ALEC BRINDLE
COMMUNITY VOLUNTEER
BRIAN JAFFE
CUSHMAN & WAKEFIELD
SAMATRA DOYLE
FRED HUTCH CANCER CENTER
BETH GINSBERG
STOEL/ RIVES
SHERRI BUSH
BEIGENE
MARY-LOU MISRAHY
PHYSICIANS INSURANCE, A MUTUAL INSURANCE CO.
SARAH GOODMAN
MICROSOFT
KAREN WAALKES
COMMUNITY VOLUNTEER
ANTHONY TIPPINS
COMMUNITY VOLUNTEER
KATHERINE KRONMAL
SWEDISH CANCER INSTITUTE
Organizational demographics
Who works and leads organizations that serve our diverse communities? Candid partnered with CHANGE Philanthropy on this demographic section.
Leadership
The organization's leader identifies as:
Race & ethnicity
No data
Gender identity
No data
No data
Sexual orientation
No data
Disability
No data
Equity strategies
Last updated: 03/06/2023GuideStar partnered with Equity in the Center - an organization that works to shift mindsets, practices, and systems to increase racial equity - to create this section. Learn more
- We review compensation data across the organization (and by staff levels) to identify disparities by race.
- We ask team members to identify racial disparities in their programs and / or portfolios.
- We analyze disaggregated data and root causes of race disparities that impact the organization's programs, portfolios, and the populations served.
- We disaggregate data to adjust programming goals to keep pace with changing needs of the communities we support.
- We employ non-traditional ways of gathering feedback on programs and trainings, which may include interviews, roundtables, and external reviews with/by community stakeholders.
- We have long-term strategic plans and measurable goals for creating a culture such that one’s race identity has no influence on how they fare within the organization.
- We use a vetting process to identify vendors and partners that share our commitment to race equity.
- We seek individuals from various race backgrounds for board and executive director/CEO positions within our organization.
- We have community representation at the board level, either on the board itself or through a community advisory board.
- We help senior leadership understand how to be inclusive leaders with learning approaches that emphasize reflection, iteration, and adaptability.
- We engage everyone, from the board to staff levels of the organization, in race equity work and ensure that individuals understand their roles in creating culture such that one’s race identity has no influence on how they fare within the organization.
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