Respect and dignity

Great respect and dignity. That is what Ralph Albrecht, Sr. said UC Davis specialist Ralph de Vere White gave him while he received life-extending cancer treatment at the UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center. It is also what inspired Albrecht and his charitable foundation—named Lanie Albrecht Foundation in honor of his mother—to give to UC Davis Health System after his passing.

Albrecht and his foundation have given more than $4 million to the UC Davis Health System to improve health care, breakthrough research and community outreach. Albrecht’s gifts to UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center and urology department support both direct research and the Albrecht Endowed Chair in Basic Science.

Likewise, in gratitude for the care Albrecht received from UC Davis ophthalmology chair Mark Mannis, the foundation recently funded a new advanced training facility at the UC Davis Eye Center. The Lanie Albrecht Foundation Microsurgical Training Laboratory helps students and residents in ophthalmology, neurosurgery, orthopedics, veterinary medicine and other specialties to become adept at procedures that require high-powered microscopes.

“Gifts such as the laboratory provide profound positive results, and the benefits appear to be endless,” Sharon Wong, executive director of the Lanie Albrecht Foundation.  “We’re pleased to see Mr. Albrecht’s gifts in action, and we hope to continue his legacy for many years to come.”