At the San Juan Regional Cancer Center, cancer patients and their families can learn more about the disease in the Pure Bliss Family Resource Center.
The Bliss Family Library is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. and has free literature from the American Cancer Society and the National Cancer Institute, this literature covers a variety of topics including; types of cancer, advanced cancer, information on diet and coping with a diagnosis. The Library also has a selection of books that can be checked out for a three week period. There are three computer stations available for use and information about local, State and National resources.
In October 2007, Dr. Lynn Bliss, a radiologist at the hospital, was diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma. One of the challenges she and her husband faced was educating their three children about the disease. From this desire to provide better information about cancer to other families, a grassroots effort sprang up and more than $50,000 was raised in 2008 to build a cancer library and resource center.
American Cancer Society volunteers work at the library and resource center and provide printed information to guests. These volunteers also help individuals use the three computers to access cancer information on the Internet. Several websites available have been reviewed to confirm that they provide reliable cancer information.
If you are interested in becoming a volunteer at the Pure Bliss Family Resource Center, email, tbecker@sjrmc.net or call 505.609.6156.