This past mothers day weekend I attended the Shirley Mae Run & Gilda's Club Walk held in Atlantic City, New Jersey. It was a beautiful Saturday to take a stroll on the boardwalk. My dad flew in from Arizona for the event and my mom drove from Philadelphia. I'm very lucky that my parents are so supportive.

The Shirley Mae Breast Cancer Assistance Fund was started by Roy Goldberg to honor his mother, Shirley Mae, who survived breast cancer. The fund assists breast cancer patients in the south-eastern area of New Jersey with the cost of medicine, wigs, prostheses, and anything else needed to relieve financial stress so they can focus on healing and becoming survivors too.

Shirley Mae's Fund and Gilda's Club South Jersey work together on many different events, this was no exception. I have been to Gilda's Club South Jersey many times. The clubhouse is an actual house on beautiful land. Its a very cozy place to visit.

The Gilda's Club South Jersey website tells us who they are:

Quite simply, we are a community of South Jersey people whose lives have been touched by cancer. We are men, women and children at any stage of the cancer experience. We are their friends and family. We are volunteers, donors and skilled staff.

Yes, we are really a club! We don't provide medical or social services. What we offer is just as important -- emotional and social support, information and inspiration, fellowship and fun, hope and heart. And the lectures, groups, workshops and social events in our new Linwood, NJ clubhouse are all free of charge!

A club for people with cancer? A funny idea maybe, but one that's based on powerful ancient wisdom: connecting with people who understand what we're going through is not just beneficial, it's crucial; and when we give of ourselves, we always receive.

What a great mother's day weekend!