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Meet Jeff Garlin, Help People With and Affected by Cancer

By Rachelle Bowden in Arts & Entertainment on Sep 15, 2005 12:05PM

Cancer. It's one of those things you can run from but you can't hide from. No matter your age, gender, race, or tax bracket, you're at risk of getting it. And even if you don't get it yourself (thank your lucky stars) you're almost guaranteed to know someone who's had a brush with cancer or who's died of the disease. Cancer is a Bitch.

2005_09_gildas_club.jpgWhich is why Gilda's Club is an organization Chicagoist can get behind. The organization exists to provide a place where men, women and children living with cancer and their families and their friends can get together and build emotional and social support as a supplement to medical care. It's free, operates as a nonprofit, and was named after Gilda Radner, who, when describing the emotional and social support she received when she had cancer, called for such a place to be made available for people with cancer and their families and friends. Chicagoist used to walk past the Gilda Club's red door every day on the way to work and for a moment each day we were reminded to count our blessings, but at the same time were so very happy that such a place exists.

2005_09_jeff_garlin.jpgSo what can you do to help? There's an event coming up that benefits Chicago's Gilda Club and features Chicago's very own Jeff Garlin. If you're saying "who?," because, not that we'd admit it, but we did for one second, let us give you a reminder - he's that really funny guy from Curb Your Enthusiasm.. and Daddy Daycare.. and remember, he's a Second City alumn, as is Gilda Radner.

The event takes place Thursday, October 6 at 7:45pm at Park West. Opening for Garlin is Patty Vasquez. For $50 you'll get in for the show plus you'll get a couple of drink tickets. For $75 you'll get reserved seating and open bar. And if you shell $125, and you probably weren't one of those people saying "who?," you'll get open bar all night PLUS you'll get to meet Jeff Garlin after the show. Sweet. And, of course, all the proceeds to to Gilda's Club Chicago.

Call 312-464-9900, ext. 35 for tickets.