June 23, 2006

Cancer Resource Room celebrates 10 years of compassion and caring

Before the MGH Cancer Resource Room (CRR) opened its doors 10 years ago, cancer patients at the hospital often struggled to find information about their illnesses. Without an easily accessible, central location for cancer resources and materials, patients would spend hours searching for information, adding a sense of confusion and frustration to an already difficult time in their lives. During the past decade, however, the Cancer Resource Room has helped to fill that void. Hundreds of hospital employees and patients gathered to celebrate the milestone anniversary at an open house held May 31.

Part of the MGH Cancer Center, the CRR provides a quiet and comfortable place where patients and their families can browse through its collection of books, magazines and pamphlets; search the Internet; talk with staff; or simply just relax and unwind. The Treadwell Library has a partnership with the CRR, providing reference resources for help answering more difficult questions. The CRR also collaborates closely with the HOPES Program — an MGH cancer support service — and regularly hosts a number of support groups and educational and wellness workshops. The CRR also has taken the lead in developing patient education materials for the entire MGH Cancer Center. Above, MGHers celebrate the CRR's anniversary.

With supportive staff and a wide array of services and programs, thousands of patients have benefited from the resources available at the CRR. "This room has served as a place of hope during my illness," says one patient. "During treatment, it has helped me to keep in touch with my family and friends outside the hospital. It has given me strength, hope, love and courage during my journey."

The CRR is located in the Yawkey Center for Outpatient Care, 8C. Sally Hooper, MSW, and Debbie Essig, MSW, are its co-directors. For more information, call (617) 724-1822 or visit www.massgeneral.org/cancer/crr.