Honoring David Alberts: A legacy of cancer prevention

The University of Arizona Cancer Center hosted a memorial event on Nov. 12 for founding member and visionary leader, David Alberts, MD. The event featured remarks from guests and Albert’s family was presented a plaque on behalf of the Cancer Center.

Dr. Alberts was a trailblazer in cancer prevention and research, dedicating his career to reducing cancer mortality and improving patient outcomes. His decision to invest in cancer prevention to reduce cancer mortality inspired the establishment of the Dr. David Alberts Fellowship for Cancer Prevention. This foresight elevated the cancer center to be one of just five centers nationwide committed to advancing clinical trials for cancer prevention. As Alberts often said, “Prevention is so much better, because it saves the burden of being sick.”

The fellowship aims to reduce cancer mortality by 50% over the next 25 years, thereby saving over 300,000 lives a year. This endowed fellowship will recruit and train future leaders in cancer prevention research, ensuring Dr. Alberts’s passion for prevention continues to reduce the burden of cancer.