(NASHVILLE, TENN) June 23, 2011 – Through her involvement with Gilda’s Club Nashville and other cancer-related organizations, Nancy Saturn made a difference in the lives of countless individuals and families touched by cancer.  The Nancy Saturn Award of Inspiration was created to perpetuate her memory by honoring an individual who, like her, has used their time, energy and talents to further the mission of Gilda’s Club Nashville within our community. This year's award is being presented posthumously to Dr. Gail Addlestone.

 

Gail was no stranger to cancer, having lost her mother to ovarian cancer when she was 18 years old. This tragedy and Gail's resilient spirit prepared her to become a compassionate well-loved Nashville pediatrician, a devoted wife and mother, spectacular daughter, wonderful sister and loyal friend.

 

After being diagnosed with breast cancer in September of 2004, Gail showed us that cancer was about living. She believed the wellness of mind, body and spirit were key to personal health and wholeness, even in the midst of metastatic cancer.

 

In the spring of 2006, Gail created a flexible training plan to help prepare her to walk the Country Music Half-Marathon and compelled others to join her. She believed that participation in Gilda's Gang provided the opportunity to improve her physical fitness while also raising money as a tangible way to give back to Gilda's Club - a place where she and those who loved her received meaningful support and education, and enjoyed the richness of communtiy.

 

Gilda's Gang, now in its sixth year, has raised over $750,000. It is the largest annual fundraising effort for Gilda's Club Nashville - supporting the many program activities offered at no charge to all those in our community who are touched by cancer.

 

Gilda’s Club Nashville is an affiliate of the Cancer Support Community and opened its doors in 1998 to offer lectures, workshops, classes, support groups and social activities in a non-residential, homelike setting. Free of charge to everyone, Gilda’s Club Nashville provides a gathering place where people living with cancer and their families and friends can join with others to actively involve themselves in building social and emotional support as a supplement to regular medical care.

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