College of Veterinary Medicine

Friedrichs’ Investment in Cancer Research Yields Dividends

Louis and Christine Friedrich of Naples, Fla., have never met Dr. Timothy Fan, a veterinary oncologist and collaborative cancer researcher. But when the long-time pet owners heard about Dr. Fan’s passion for developing novel cancer treatments that are helping pets and people, they made a gift to support his work.

The gift enabled Dr. Fan to partner with a bioengineer at MIT to develop an immunotherapy treatment for dogs with melanoma. Consequently, that work led to NIH funding and industry collaborations. The gift also helped Dr. Fan’s PhD student, Dr. Matheus Passos Barbosa, secure a fellowship to study canine osteosarcoma.

“The Friedrichs’ gifts are making a tangible impact on advancing cancer therapies and educating future cancer researchers,” says Dr. Fan.

A Desire to Help Helpless Beings

Laurie Wiechert-Sharar has always felt a special bond with animals. She not only values their important role in the ecosystem, but also marvels at their beauty and majesty. Over the years, she and her husband, Dave Sharar, have relied on the Wildlife Medical Clinic several times to care for injured wildlife.

“The highlight of our rescue encounters was saving a great blue heron that was having trouble flying. Now whenever I see a heron flying into or walking on the banks of the pond behind our house, I can’t help but wonder if it is him,” says Laurie.

The Sharars have frequently donated to the Wildlife Medical Clinic, and in 2022 they established an estate gift for the clinic.

Giving to Protect the Future

When I earned my Illinois veterinary degree in 1984, things were a lot different for students than they are today. For one thing, there were two or three graduates for every veterinary job opening back then. Now, there are three or more offers for every graduate!

Unfortunately, the cost of tuition and the level of student debt is exponentially higher. When I learned about the financial challenges facing today’s veterinary students, I realized that my own relatively inexpensive tuition was a gift that I received.

Philanthropy is one way to make veterinary education financially accessible and protect the future of veterinary medicine. After donating to existing scholarships for some time, I recently established my own scholarship through an estate gift.

Scholarship Opens Doors to Opportunities

My wife, Amber, and I followed a very strict plan of working long hours and sacrificing unnecessary expenses to pay off our undergraduate student debt and then to remain debt free when I entered veterinary school.

The first two years I was either in the classroom, working, or studying. I had no time to participate in extracurricular activities to enhance my post-graduate opportunities. That changed when I was awarded a significant and generous scholarship. The Jester Scholarship allowed me to pursue research opportunities and grow outside the classroom.

My wife and I are grateful for the outrageous generosity of those who donate their money, time, and wisdom. Such an investment safeguards the veterinary profession and its future.