Opens Saturday at SAMC

DOUGLAS - Douglas Run-Walk for the Cure Inc. and Southeast Arizona Medical Center last week announced the creation of the Dora A. Teran Cancer Information Center.

In the wake of rapidly rising cancer cases in Arizona, an estimated 25,450 for 2006, the Dora A. Teran Center will be dedicated to the need for an informational center whose mission is to assist the needs of cancer patients, their families and others affected by this disease. Mike Carter, CEO of Southeast Arizona Medical Center, said the information center will be a great resource for patients and their families allowing them to take an active role in their own treatment and recovery.

Linda Gomez, president of Douglas Run- Walk for the Cure Inc., said the Dora A. Teran Cancer Information Center will offer free resources that will provide the community with knowledge about various types of cancer, treatment options and support groups for patients and their families.

Dora A. Teran was a lifelong Douglas resident who contracted lung cancer and succumbed to the disease in November. She was an active member of the community and volunteered countless hours to help others.

Teran saw the need for a place where residents could go to obtain information on cancer and its various treatments, a place to empower them by allowing them to take an active role in the healing process and a refuge where patients could be comforted by the sharing of their common experiences.

Donations from her friends and family are making Dora's dream of a cancer information center come true.

A grand opening will take place for the Dora A. Teran Cancer Information Center from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. on April 28 at the south wing entrance of the Southeast Arizona Medical Center, 2174 W. Oak Ave.