Meet Kim Praitano | CEO & President of Gilda’s Club South Florida, Inc.

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kim Praitano and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kim, how does your business help the community?
Gilda’s Club South Florida is a warm and welcoming community and wraparound services for men, women, and children impacted by cancer. Inspired by the legacy of comedian Gilda Radner, our club offers a unique blend of emotional and social support through comprehensive programming. We proudly serve individuals at every stage of their cancer journey, understanding that the diagnosis affects not just the patient, but their loved ones as well. Our services include mental health counseling, support groups, cancer education, healthy living classes, social activities and care navigation

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Gilda’s Club’s mission uplifts and strengthens people impacted by cancer by providing support, fostering compassionate communities, and breaking down barriers to care. We believe in creating a community of support that allows people going through challenging and similar circumstances to come together and be there for each other. Cancer happens in so many families, and those going through it need support groups, counseling, exercise and stress reduction classes, social activities, cancer education and financial assistance. All of these services are provided at Gilda’s Club South Florida as a compliment to medical treatment.

People tell us that the community of support is a family to them. It sets us apart from other cancer services. We create and facilitate that community through our values of putting participants and community first; being servant leaders; cultural humility and doing whatever it takes to get the job done.

The best outcomes and most rewarding achievements have come from the risks I have taken. I don’t take risks lightly, however, when I have a clear vision and a path to get there, I go for it – especially when not taking the risk may prove a worse outcome. The best example of this was embarking on a capital campaign for a new facility to serve cancer patients and their families throughout South Florida. The campaign, Launching a Legacy, was set to launch in March 2020 – the beginning of the pandemic shutdown. After speaking with my Board of Directors, we decided to move forward, knowing that raising capital and renovating a 15,000 square foot building would be difficult, at best, during a pandemic.

Embarking on this project was transformational for my organization and our South Florida cancer community. We found the building of our dreams that met all of our requirements and specialized needs, and we raised over $5 million to pay for the building and its customized buildout. Today, more than 3500 people impacted by cancer receive services at Gilda’s Club South Florida or in the community.

Through my work, I’ve learned to be kind. You never know the burden someone else is carrying.

Gilda’s Club’s brand is our namesake, Gilda Radner, SNL original cast member who died way too young of ovarian cancer. We believe community is stronger than cancer. Through laughter and togetherness, we can live life to its fullest, despite of cancer.

My success and my personal brand revolves around genuine grit – the courage and resolve to pursuit long-term goals, not short-term satisfaction. It takes giving up something of value to acquire something more worthy for the greater good. I’m willing to do whatever it takes to meet the mission and the moment for the things that matter.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Since we live in South Florida, we get to entertain friends and family who want to get away, and my friends and family want to get out of the cold State of New Jersey. So, the first place I take them during the day is to the beautiful sunny beaches we have. I live in Pompano, so that’s where we start. Somewhere along the week, we go to Margaritaville, and see the “boardwalk’ in South Florida and compare it to the Jersey Shore boardwalk. We would hit every Italian restaurant in the area – Carlucci’s, Il Mulina, Cafe Vico, and G. & G.’s of N.Y. We’d definitely exercise and practice self-defense at Krav Maga of Ft. Lauderdale. At night, we’d hang out on the Fisher Pier in Pompano Beach and enjoy ice cream at Kilwins.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
There are three people that stand out to me in my life that deserve a shout-out: my dad, my 7th grade teacher and my Krav Maga teacher.

First, my dad, Salvatore Praitano, a veteran from the greatest generation, taught me through humility, sacrifice and character what a strong sense of values does for you in life. They are everything that matters.

Mr. Simplicio, my 7th grade teacher, taught me to get involved in life. Get involved in school, in service, in community, and in democracy. One person’s involvement matters.

Randall Koch, my Krav Maga teacher and friend, taught me how to fight for self-defense. I was always a fighter inside, and he taught me how to execute that fight. You can think about something, but until you can execute, you haven’t done anything.

These three men above all have strong characters that deserve respect, admiration and inspiration.

Website: https://www.gildasclubsouthflorida.org

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gildasclubsfl/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gildasclubsfl/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GildasClubSouthFlorida/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@GildasClubSouthFlorida

Other: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kim-praitano-msw-cfre-a1a1851/