As its name would suggest, the Animal Cancer Care and Research Center (ACCRC) is committed to clinical research to find treatments for cancer in animals.

But, beyond its name, ACCRC is also committed to taking clinical research for animals and translating that into improved treatments options for humans as well.

For Steve Michael '73, the clinical trial for glioblastoma, a rare and deadly brain cancer, is the focus of his support. Having lost his wife to glioblastoma, he is dedicated to help cure this disease and sees the amazing potential this trial poses for the future.

Cancer has been a nemesis of the Michaels. Steve Michael and his late wife Donna once lost a dog to cancer, and Steve Michael himself is a survivor of prostate cancer, having been treated with focused ultrasound.

His own experience with focused ultrasound – a treatment method being studied and implemented for canine cancers at ACCRC -- plus an ACCRC clinical trial focus on treating glioblastoma have encouraged Michael to give generously to the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine and its Roanoke-based ACCRC in hopes that the disease that took his wife can one day be entirely treatable.

“I focus my giving on areas I’m passionate about,” said Steve Michael, who also gives to athletics, the College of Natural Resources and Environment and the Pamplin College of Business at Virginia Tech. “I hope my support propels the college forward and ultimately helps cure glioblastoma.”

Written by Kevin Myatt for the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine

Contact:

Andrew Mann
Director of Communications and Marketing