Gloria Gemma Foundation Opens New Cancer Center, Expands Services to All Cancer Types

Rhode Island - ​The Gloria Gemma Foundation has long been a pillar of support for Rhode Islanders affected by cancer. Now, with the opening of the Gloria Gemma Center for Cancer Survivorship and Well-being, the organization is broadening its reach—welcoming patients of all cancer types, both men and women, into its growing community.
Carol Donnelly, the foundation's Development and Communications Manager and a two-time cancer survivor herself, sat down with the Rhode Island Wave to share what the expansion means for the local community and beyond.
A New Center, A Broader Mission
"We have expanded to incorporate all cancer types, both men and women," Donnelly explained. "So if someone you know, or you, has cancer—regardless of the type—you can come to us and participate in our free programs and support services."
The center, which opened last year and is still receiving its finishing touches, is already running a full slate of programs at no cost to participants. These include exercise classes, yoga, strength training, multiple support groups—including a metastatic support group and a grief support group—nutrition classes, and healing arts programs such as knitting and crochet. Outdoor activities like biking, hiking, and walking groups are also available during warmer months.
Addressing a Critical Need: Nutrition During Treatment
One of the foundation's standout initiatives is Gloria’s Angels program, which delivers healthy, nutrient-dense meals once a month to individuals currently undergoing cancer treatment—and to their entire families.
"It's imperative that you eat healthfully, especially during cancer treatments, to keep your blood levels up so you stay on scheduled treatments," Donnelly said. The National Cancer Institute echoes this guidance, emphasizing the importance of nutrient-dense foods for those in treatment. For patients with restrictive dietary needs, the foundation also offers grocery gift cards, with a food pantry of non-perishable healthy foods currently in the pipeline.
"Cancer affects you financially," Donnelly noted. "Everybody knows groceries are super expensive. This is just one more way to help people."
Finding Community in the Most Unexpected Places
For Donnelly, the foundation's work is deeply personal. As a two-time cancer survivor, she understands firsthand the isolation that can accompany a diagnosis—and the profound relief that comes from finding others who understand.
"I didn't know I needed support until I got there," she said. "Discovering that you're not the only one with these feelings, and that it's quite normal—it's really validating. It lifts that burden."
She also wants men to know that the foundation's services are for them too. "It's okay, guys, to ask for help. You need to do this for yourself."
Getting Connected
Anyone seeking support can reach the foundation's patient navigator, Mandy, who will assess individual needs and connect them with the right programs and services. "If we don't provide the service, we'll connect you with another organization that does," Donnelly said.
To get in touch:

• Website: GloriaGemma.org
• Email: [email protected]
• Phone: 401-861-4376

Flames of Hope: A Weekend to Remember
For those looking to support the foundation's work, the Flames of Hope Celebration of Life Weekend—held October 3rd and 4th—is the organization's signature annual fundraiser. The weekend kicks off with the Passport to Survivorship Expo at the Rhode Island Convention Center, a free, interactive event that brings together the latest in medical cancer care and holistic wellness. Attendees can expect 50+ vendors, health screenings, 30-minute learning sessions, a sound healing garden, and free flu and COVID vaccines, among other offerings. The first 500 arrivals will receive a complimentary swag bag.
Saturday evening transitions into the Celebration of Life Festival, featuring the Illuminations of Life ceremony, in which 150 torchbearers process to the Providence River Basin for one of the largest WaterFire events of the season. The weekend closes on Sunday with the Gloria Gemma 5K, which draws approximately 4,000 participants each year and offers prizes for top individual and team fundraisers, as well as fastest finishers.
Volunteers are also needed and can sign up through the foundation's website once opportunities are listed early next month.
A National Reach
While the foundation's roots are in Rhode Island and southeastern Massachusetts, its reach has grown considerably. During the pandemic, the organization moved its programs online—and connected with cancer patients across Texas, Kentucky, Ohio, New Jersey, and California, among others. Virtual classes are still available today, and many out-of-state participants now travel to Rhode Island specifically for the Flames of Hope Weekend.
"It's a destination for them," Donnelly said. "They want to be a part of that."
With 90 cents of every donated dollar going directly to programs and services, the foundation relies heavily on the generosity of individuals and community fundraisers—which account for 60% of its total revenue. Even a small contribution, Donnelly emphasized, makes a difference.
"Every little bit helps."