Sue and Ralph Stern became supporters of the Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center to ensure that all Orange County cancer patients have access to the expert care that saved her life. Photo by Kimberly Pham
Patients who come to the new UCI Health cancer center this month will find one floor graced with the names of two longtime donors: Ralph and Sue Stern.
The Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center — Irvine allows UCI Health to reimagine cancer care for all of Orange County and beyond.
The five-story, 225,000 square foot clinical hub integrates the most advanced diagnostics, treatments, support programs and leading-edge clinical trials to provide the best possible care. It also effectively triples the capacity to give cancer patients access to the world-class specialists who practice at the only Orange County-based National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center.
“It has been thrilling to see it going up!” Sue Stern says of the new center, the second of three buildings to open at UCI Health — Irvine, a $1.3 billion medical complex on the university campus at Jamboree Road and Birch Street.
The couple's philanthropic investment in the Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center totals more than $12.5 million, including funds to establish a robust clinical trials research program.
“Thanks to the Sterns and their steadfast support, today we are able to offer our patients access to more than 500 cancer clinical trials, including many early phase studies developed by our own cancer researchers to advance the standard of care,” says Dr. Richard A. Van Etten, director of the cancer center and founder of the UCI Anti-Cancer Challenge.
“Their commitment and the support of so many donors like them makes it possible to deliver truly world-class, patient-centered care and conduct groundbreaking research to treat, cure and prevent cancer.”
The Sterns' journey began nearly two decades ago at the cancer center's flagship location at UCI Medical Center in Orange.
A tingling sensation
In November 2007, Sue Stern experienced numbness and tingling in her left hand. Hoping it would “magically get better,” she ignored it.
When she had a hard time opening holiday gifts that year, she realized something was wrong. “I was scared and I knew I needed help,” she recalls.
She went to six specialists and each one suggested a different treatment plan. “Needless to say, I was frustrated and confused — and still feeling scared.”
The Sterns, who live in Newport Beach, consulted a national medical specialty referral group. It recommended neurosurgeon Dr. Mark Linskey, who had recently moved from Johns Hopkins Medicine, they were told, to “someplace in California called Irvine.”
Prepared to fly anywhere, she couldn’t believe the expert she needed was “right here at UCI Medical Center!”
Lifesaving spinal surgery
Linskey diagnosed her with an astrocytoma tumor inside her spinal cord and recommended a biopsy as well as removing as much of the tumor as possible in one surgery.
He brought UCI Health neuro-oncologist Dr. Daniela Bota onto the team. During more than seven hours in the operating room, Linskey removed the tumor without damaging Stern’s spinal cord, which could have left her paralyzed.
“I’m forever grateful to Dr. Linskey and Dr. Bota for saving my life,” says Stern, who serves on the governing board of Girls Inc., a leadership and advocacy program for girls and young women.
World-class care close to home
After her successful treatment, the couple began educating themselves about UCI Health.
“Sue and I were truly amazed and, candidly, surprised to learn about the quality of care that exists right here in Orange County,” says Ralph Stern, a prominent Southern California business leader and philanthropist.
“We had assumed that patients who wanted world-class care, particularly in cancer, would have to leave Orange County.”
They resolved to support UCI Health and the Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, in particular, “because we want to make sure all cancer patients in Orange County get access to the same level of expert care Sue received,” he says.
Boosting clinical trials
In 2014, their $5 million gift established the Sue and Ralph Stern Center for Cancer Clinical Trials and Research. That support boosted the cancer center’s ability to sponsor clinical trials, especially home-grown, early-phase studies to test the safety and effectiveness of potential treatments.
Today, the Stern Center manages the largest portfolio of cancer clinical trials in Orange County.
In addition to their most recent gift in 2021 for the new cancer center, the couple also hosts events for friends and family to learn more about the revolution in cancer care happening at UCI Health from the clinicians and scientists, themselves.
“Sue and I remain very excited about supporting UCI Health, particularly their commitment to world-class care, which is driven by research, discovery and innovation,” says Ralph Stern.
Champions of cancer care
They are also huge champions of Van Etten, who has presided over a significant growth in cancer services at UCI Health, including the launch of Orange County's first adult stem-cell transplant and cell therapy program, patient support services and improving care and outreach to underserved patient populations. He also has overseen two renewals of the Chao center’s comprehensive cancer center designation by the National Cancer Institute since being named director in 2013.
“Under Rick’s leadership, UCI Health is becoming a leader in stem cell treatment and has recruited outstanding faculty, scientists and clinicians,” says Ralph Stern. “They’re truly transforming cancer care, not just in Orange County but globally.”
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