A new cancer support center named for a former Saturday Night Live comedian is scheduled to open in Madison early next year.

Named after Gilda Radner, the SNL star who died of cancer in 1989, Gilda's Club provides free emotional and social support for cancer patients and their families.

Gilda's Club Worldwide has expanded to 28 locations throughout the country — including Chicago and Milwaukee — since its inception in 1995. The Madison location will soon begin construction near the Beltline on the west side of Madison and should open early next year.

The organization provides networking groups, lectures, workshops and social events free of charge to complement clinical cancer treatments.

"For the [cancer] patient and their family, emotional support is just as important as other treatments," said Beth Lunow, vice president of the American Cancer Society of Wisconsin. "We continue to use Gilda's Club in Milwaukee for patients and survivors as a resource."

The connection between cancer treatment centers and support groups is vital for patients to comprehensively battle cancer, Lunow added.

According to Sara Sinaiko, CEO of Gilda's Club Madison, the center will reach out to cancer treatment providers to help as many patients as possible.

"We will work with all of the hospitals, clinics and doctors," Sinaiko said. "Many of them have already written letters of support."

University Health Services is currently a resource on campus for students who are diagnosed with cancer.

Sarah Van Orman, associate director of clinical services at UHS, said in addition to recently diagnosed cancer patients, UHS sees many students who are cancer survivors.

"The place where we do see more patients is with teens who are survivors of childhood cancer, who deal with the consequences of the cancer and the treatment," Van Orman said.

Similar to the American Cancer Society, UHS refers patients to other hospitals or cancer treatment centers.

Gilda's Club Madison will provide support to students who are affected by cancer.

"Part of what Gilda's Club does is it works with groups of all ages, so there will be an area for teens and young people," Sinaiko said.

Currently, Gilda's Club is about halfway to its goal of raising $3.5 million to cover the costs of opening the Madison center. According to Sinaiko, contributions so far have come from individuals, businesses and foundations.

A key part of their financial support is credited to students and UW through various fundraising efforts.

"The UW women's basketball team donated money. Coach (Lisa) Stone decided to donate money herself," Sinaiko said. "We raised about $10,000. The women on the basketball team decided that it was meaningful for them because they have had personal experiences with cancer."

Current UW Athletic Director Barry Alvarez, who lost his mother to cancer, and Alvarez's wife Cindy, whose parents both died of cancer, are co-chairs of the Gilda Club's fundraising campaign.

A portion of the proceeds from Alvarez's autobiography "Don't Flinch" will go toward the Gilda's Club Madison.

The next fundraiser for Gilda's Club Madison will be held March 3 at the Monona Terrace.