Philanthropist and civic leader Annette Bloch has announced a $1 million gift to the Kansas University Hospital’s new Cancer Center, scheduled to open Aug. 6, a week from today.KU Hospital spokesman Dennis Minich said Bloch announced the gift as a surprise Thursday during a series of ceremonies with KU leaders to open the Cancer Center and Medical Pavilion.Bloch is the widow of Richard Bloch, co-founder of H&R Block, and the couple established the R.A. Bloch Cancer Foundation in 1980. The gift will support patient care, according to the KU Hospital’s announcement.”Every thing in the Cancer Center was designed to for the patient’s benefit. I have never seen a cancer center like this, so I knew the time was right for this gift,” said Bloch.The 55,000-square-foot Cancer Center and Medical Pavilion is in Westwood, more than a mile from the main hospital.”A gift of this size is always inspiring. When it comes from a person of Annette Bloch’s stature, as someone who has done so much for cancer patients throughout the country, it is even more meaningful,” said Bob Page, KU Hospital’s president and chief executive officer.-contributed by George Diepenbrock