AARP Awards Grant to
Cancer Support Community at Gilda’s Club Rochester
as Part of Nationwide Program to Strengthen Communities
AARP today on Wednesday, June 18th that 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, 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.