In April of 2001, several concerned citizens in the Auburn area
agreed to raise a significant amount of
money to support cancer research. After
careful consideration, and reviewing several options,
it was decided that it would be appropriate to support
the UC Davis Cancer Center.
The UC Davis Cancer Center was chosen because
it is the only major cancer research center in
this area, it has a reputation for community service,
and it was soon to receive a National Cancer Institute
designation.
By early August 2001 over $100,000 in contributions
had been raised. The group spearheading
the effort decided that placing funds in an endowment
would allow control by local citizens with no
administrative costs and the endowment would be
allowed to grow until it reached $1 million. In cooperation
with the UC Davis Cancer Center, the Auburn
Community Cancer Endowment Fund was formally
established in October 2001. The goal was
later increased to $1.5 million to fund the ACCEF
endowed chair for Basic Science Research. This
goal has now been reached and interest earned from
the endowment will be used to fund research at the
UCD Cancer Center.
The endowment continued to grow, thanks to
individual contributions and special events. With the
help of ACCEF volunteers, many events significantly
added to the endowment. These included two Jim Otto golf tournaments, |
the Auburn Rotary Club Fun
Run, the grand opening and several dinners at Thunder
Valley Casino, golf tournaments sponsored by
Magnussen's Auburn Toyota, the Auburn Lions
Club Celebrity Chefs dinner, poker runs, a blues festival,
a mountain bike race and a calendar sponsored
by Auburn Harley Davidson, as well as a gala dinner
held in Sacramento. The value of the endowment has now exceeded $1.5
million. A worthy cause and a dedicated community
have made this project successful.
The ACCEF Goals Are:
- To advance cancer research by providing a conduit
for donations from the private and business
sectors of Auburn and surrounding areas.
- To stimulate ongoing contributions by maintaining
an active and prominent profile in the community.
- To serve as a model for other communities who
wish to financially support cancer research.
- To increase public awareness of the devastating
effects of cancer, and encourage the earliest
possible diagnosis with the most effective professional
treatment.
- To continue to identify and secure sources for
funding that will add to the $1.5 million.
- To communicate important information between
the Auburn Community and the UC Davis Cancer
Center to most effectively serve the needs of
the community.
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