Mount Zion Rededicates Ida and Joseph Friend Cancer Resource Center

More than 60 faculty, staff, volunteers, donors, and former and current patients were on hand to celebrate as the Ida and Joseph Friend Cancer Resource Center (CRC) at Mount Zion was rededicated in a simple ceremony in March. Longtime CRC supporter and center namesake Joseph Friend attended with members of his family and close friends. Over the past several months, the facility was transformed from a working space with cramped desks and cluttered informational racks to a comfortable, inviting place for patients to relax. In addition to a cancer library, the center houses the staff and volunteers who provide services and programs to cancer patients. "It's not a coincidence that the Cancer Resource Center is in the center of the hospital because it is truly the heart of the whole operation," said Jeffrey Pearl, MD, associate dean and chief medical officer of UCSF Medical Center at Mount Zion, during the ceremony. CRC staff worked with architect Mary Phillips and interior designer Nancy Eslick in communicating their needs and priorities when it came to design. In an effort to create a warm and hospitable environment for patients, the existing furniture was reupholstered, the drab and dark color scheme was brightened up, and a formal reception area and patient lounge were created. Framed artwork by local artists Sharron Bliss and Paul Fortis now adorns several walls in the center. Donor James Smith funded the renovations, which also include the center's name above the reception area and donor recognition plaques, through the Donna Smith Fund. A former office was converted into a private patient consultation room for staff to meet individually with patients and families. "The center is now much warmer for patients and much more useful for staff," said Barbara Buckley, LCSW, manager of the Cancer Resource Center. Offering Support The center itself is more than just a library. Every year, staff and volunteers have contact with thousands of cancer patients, children, friends and caregivers in the Bay Area, providing support and information. The center offers many cancer support groups on-site, and hundreds of other referrals to support groups are provided through an extensive resource database. More than 200 free wellness classes, which include yoga, Pilates and meditation, are conducted annually. The center also helps to ease the suffering of cancer patients and their families by offering food help, transportation and housing assistance through a patient assistance fund. Educational workshops in nutrition and coping with cancer are integral program elements. The Cancer Resource Center had its beginnings 10 years ago in a small room on Sutter Street and later moved to the first floor of what is now the National Center of Excellence in Women's Health. After the relocation of the UCSF Comprehensive Cancer Center to Divisadero Street, the CRC followed. "The rededication ceremony was an opportunity to thank key individuals and supporters," said Buckley. "We've had the support of many that cancer has affected personally." Laura Esserman, MD, director of the Carol Franc Buck Breast Care Center, recognized Friend for his early support of the center. "Joseph Friend came to the table early on and, in honor of his wife Ida, helped us create a place for people to come to seek help," she said. The center is operated partly through gifts from individual donors, corporations and foundations. Smith, who resides in Brazil, was not present at the event, but was recognized for his many contributions, including the creation of an endowment that provides a stipend for the center each year. Guests were invited to visit the Art for Recovery center and the Spiritual Care Services relocated around the corner from the center. Chaplain Birte Beuck blessed the newly renovated center to close the evening. Source: Nancy Chan