LPCC NEWS

By 1955, the hospital was already being considered for federal funds (HillBurton) allocated to the construction of hospitals for the care of chronic conditions. Conversations with the University of Puerto Rico began, and after much effort, the dream became a reality.

On March 11, 1954, the protocol ceremony was held for the laying of the first stone for the construction of the new hospital, which would be established on a piece of land in Hato Rey that was acquired by La Liga. Dr. González Martínez was in delicate health and hospitalized for the second time, which was represented by the First Lady of the Country, Mrs. Inés Mendoza. Dr. González Martínez passed away on April 20, 1954, so Governor Luis Muñoz Marín proclaimed Dr. Isaac González Martínez Day every April 20 of each year.

Since 1953, the LPCC Hospital has had a Cancer Registry.

Dr. Issac Gonzalez Martinez continued scientific research on cancer; he prepared courses, lectures, conferences, etc. He supported the research of others and stimulated academic work among professionals in the field of cancer, based on his philosophy, "We increase our knowledge, when we share it".

His great interest was to have his own hospital with all the technological advances, so the Liga Puertorriqueña Contra el Cáncer directed its efforts towards this goal.

In January 1952, Dr. Batchhelder, representative of the American College of Surgeons (ACS), visited the Hospital de la Liga Puertorriqueña Contra el Cáncer and weeks later, this entity recognized the hospital for its technical and academic characteristics under the direction of Dr. Isaac González Martínez, for which it was accredited as one of the 12 cancer hospitals in the Western Hemisphere.

By 1951 the hospital opened its Blood Bank.

The Institute became the only one of its kind in Puerto Rico and the Caribbean, receiving recognition from the American College of Surgeons in 1953 as one of the 12 cancer hospitals in the Western Hemisphere, including the United States and Canada.
Surgeons as one of the 12 cancer hospitals in the Western Hemisphere, including the United States and Canada.

In 1942 he rents an old house on Ponce de Leon Avenue, Parada 23 in Santurce, moving the administration of La Liga to this new place, for which he was forced to create hospitalization facilities, where he had only 2 beds. Dr. González Martínez donates a 220 Kv. radiotherapy equipment, treating the first 31 cases.

In 1940, Dr. Díaz García died, so La Liga had to face a rate increase for hospitalization, which caused Dr. González to vacate his original office due to peremptory circumstances. By that year, cancer was already the sixth leading cause of death in Puerto Rico.