We've all been touched by cancer in some way and by diseases that have taken away the people we love. Recently, we've also watched popular cultural icons fall to the throes of tragic illness.

Since October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we thought it was a fitting time to suggest a couple of San Diego spots which loom well below the radar but bring hope or peace to those who have suffered or are suffering through tough times. Somehow it seems it is the least we can do.

What do you do if you are Richard Bloch of H&R Block and you're stricken with cancer? You fight it. If you're Richard Bloch and you're done with the battle of your life against lung cancer and colon cancer and you win, you find a way to help others win their battle.

That's what Richard Bloch did. He forked over big bucks to establish a network of public parks across America which strive to promote "hope" as an essential weapon in our arsenal in the war against cancer. His goal to create public parks and public awareness focus on changing the cultural mindset that cancer and death are synonymous. The purpose is to provide "hope" to cancer patients, to survivors, and to those who have not been diagnosed, but may one day get a cancer diagnosis. After all, his wife also had cancer and is a cancer survivor. It seemed it was the least they could do.

Together, Richard and Annette Bloch, established the Bloch Cancer Foundation which would create Cancer Survivors Parks all over America and Canada in cities with over one million metropolitan residents. The foundation foots the bill for construction and ongoing maintenance. The first park was started in 1990 and now there are nineteen Cancer Survivors Parks.

In 2002, San Diego dedicated Cancer Survivors Park at Spanish Landing. For seven years, San Diegans and visitors have passed by the park enroute to the San Diego airport, downtown or Point Loma.

The placement of the San Diego park invites visitors to Spanish Landing or those driving by to take a moment to celebrate the living and those who have survived the grip of cancer.

Each Cancer Survivors Park has a central focal point and eight life-size figures that symbolize the process of living with cancer from diagnosis to becoming cancer-free. The interactive art sculptures are meant to be touched and people are encouraged to imagine the possibility of moving through and surviving the emotional and physical journey of cancer. The Bloch's always integrate a "Positive Mental Attitude Walk" which creates a peaceful and meditative experience of reflection stemming from inspirational plaques and informational messages on how to fight cancer.

The San Diego park features the mosaic artwork of Marlo Bartels and symbolize the dome landmarks seen throughout San Diego. Marlo Bartels also created six mosaic tile benches intended to provide a place for quiet reflection along the harbor.

Unfortunately, Richard Bloch didn't get to see his dream reach all the cities. He died in 2004 from heart failure. Oy. Not surprisingly, his wife and the foundation carry the message forward that living with a cancer diagnosis means living with hope and inspiration to survive.

Just a few miles away at Vauclain Point above Mission Valley and just to the east of UCSD Medical Center is San Diego Hospice & Palliative Care Inpatient Care Center. San Diego Hospice is "state-of-the-art" and the only freestanding "licensed hospice-hospital" in California.

The beautiful San Diego Hospice facility sits on about 6.5-acres and serves about 1,000 patients throughout San Diego daily.

Obviously and sadly, we don't need to say that "hope" is something that hospice patients have when they enter a hospice program. And it can be said that visiting a hospice facility is probably not what anyone envisions doing on a vacation or when they have spare time.

What we will say is that this is yet another place to find inspiration, to remember those we have lost, to appreciate the healthy lives we have, and to enjoy the serenity of a beautiful place built to bring comfort and peace to those who have the hardest road of all to travel.

San Diego Hospice & Palliative Care Inpatient Care Center also has a meditative walk that winds around the grounds offering beautiful views of Mission Valley. The walk incorporates memorial elements that remind visitors, guests and patients of those who have faced their fate with grace and dignity with the help of San Diego Hospice.

San Diego Hospice

It took a lot of money from donors and especially Joan Kroc, widow of Ray Kroc, founder of McDonald's and former San Diego Padres owner, to build San Diego Hospice. Money can only build the best facility. But, it takes the heart of angels to care for those who were no longer able to care for themselves.

For those of us who are healthy, for those of us who have lost friends and family, think about stopping by these two places. They remind us of all we have and how much life means. Visiting either location might not be the same as a day at SeaWorld or the beach, but you'd be surprised at what special places they are. Both are inspirational to those of us who can still get to them and appreciate the gifts they are to San Diego. It's the least we can do...