Focus: Why does someone give millions of dollars to a scientific cause?

March 25, 2017 1:25 PM PT

What motivates people to give large sums of money for a cause that might not directly enrich them? That’s a perennial question in the field of philanthropy.

For those donating to work in the life sciences, the answer is often compellingly personal.

Since all of us are mortal — subject to aging, disease and death — advances in biomedicine promise benefits to billionaires and the poor alike. From the elimination of ancient scourges such as smallpox and polio to confronting modern challenges such as Alzheimer’s disease and the need for more food for an expanding global population, everyone has a stake in the progress of the biological sciences.

Without philanthropists who have given hundreds of millions of dollars over the years, San Diego County’s biomedical community — from basic research to clinical care — would likely be far less advanced. These mega-givers include multi-billionaire Denny Sanford, telecommunications pioneer Andrew Viterbi and rental-property magnate Conrad Prebys, who died last year. There’s also ResMed founder Peter Farrell, biotech investor Elizabeth Keadle, billionaire brothers Neal and Linden Blue of General Atomics fame and developer Doug Manchester, former owner of The San Diego Union-Tribune.

Thanks to their financial support, along with government grants, visionary executives and talented scientists and physicians, the San Diego region has become a globally recognized center for biomedicine. Whether it’s cancer, heart disease, neurology, viruses that cause everything from Ebola to AIDS, rare genetic conditions or pediatric specialties, this county has leaders considered to be at the forefront of their field.

The result is a hub employing tens of thousands of workers, anchored by UC San Diego, flanked by renowned biomedical institutes and brimming with commercial enterprise by companies such as Illumina, Ionis Pharmaceuticals and branches of major corporations including Thermo Fisher Scientific, Novartis, Pfizer and Celgene.

Altogether, it’s an industry of innovation bound by the twin goals of extending life and improving the quality of that life.

Recently, philanthropists Malin Burnham, Darlene Shiley, Irwin and Joan Jacobs, Ernest Rady and Alan Gold spoke with The San Diego Union-Tribune about what inspires them. Click below to read each of their conversations.

DARLENE SHILEY, 70, La Jolla

For Shiley, writing a big check is just the start of her philanthropic commitment. “When Donald (Shiley) and I married in 1978, he was determined that our entire estate would go to charitable causes and I agreed. About two years into one of the happiest marriages you could imagine, I asked if we could start giving earlier to experience the likely success of the various ventures. Donald thought it was a terrific plan and immediately said, ‘Great. How about you handle it?’ If only I had known how much work, though satisfying, philanthropy can be, I might have chosen a different suggestion. It is an enormous responsibility that I carry on in his honor.”

JOAN AND IRWIN JACOBS, 83 and 84, La Jolla

The couple have a lifelong ethic of giving. “Our families were philanthropic, but on a very different level. They gave to the local synagogue, but not in any major way. We both came from very humble homes. We’re very fortunate to be able to do what we’re doing now.”

MALIN BURNHAM, 89, Point Loma

Business sense, brother’s death help inspire Burnham’s financial generosity. He’s known not only as a large-scale philanthropist, but also as an effective advocate for philanthropy among his wealthy peers. One of those is Denny Sanford, who called Burnham “the best pickpocket in the world” during a 2014 panel on philanthropy. “I think he could go to jail for what he’s done to me,” Sanford said as the audience laughed.

ERNEST RADY, 79, La Jolla

When a pediatric hospital asked for $20 million, Rady gave $120 million. “My wife of 57 years and I want to give to things where we can make a difference. We’re in a position to make a difference, so I don’t want to give a little bit here and a little bit there. … I just get involved with people whom I trust, and I’ve never been disappointed.”

ALAN GOLD, 56, Poway

Biomedicine has enriched Gold — and he has given much back in return. “We give our time, we give our money and we recommend it to our friends and associates. So we need to understand those organizations very well. That’s how we assure ourselves the money is being spent properly.”

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