b'HEALTH SCIENCE CENTERW hen Jill and Rick Steco com-mitted a bequest to benefit the Texas A&M University College of Medicine, they successfully blended two of Ricks top priorities, which Jill wholeheartedly endorses: sup- DID YOU KNOW?porting both Ricks adopted uni-versityandthegroundbreaking cancer prevention research takingToday, more than 130 research place within its walls. Their gift also scientists across a broad ADVANCINGfulfilled a third purpose: memori- spectrum of colleges at Texas alizing Ricks first wife of 26 years, Linda, who died of throat cancer at age 57. A&M University have devoted CANCERThe gift speaks volumes not onlythemselves to the study of aboutLindabutalsoaboutthevarious forms of cancer and PREVENTIONimpressionTexasA&Mscancerdisease prevention.preventionresearcheffortshave made on Rick and Jill. This is espe-RESEARCH cially remarkable considering thatwhat Rick saw in the Aggie Spirit as until 23 years ago, Rick had neversoon as I arrived at the stadium! even heard of the university. she said. BY KARA BOUNDS SOCOL Rick graduated from college in NewFor years, Rick and Jill discussed Jersey and law school in Ohio. Heways they could support research settled outside of Chicago, wherefocusedonpreventing,rather he is the managing director of anthancuring,cancer.Spurredby ergonomic products company. At athe excitement surrounding Texas corporate retreat in 1997, he met hisA&Ms Lead by Example campaign, first rabid Aggie and future lifelongthe Stecos made their intention a friend, Mikal Harn 88.reality. By naming the Texas A&M Foundationasabeneficiaryin Mikal introduced me to the con- Ricks will, the couples gift will cre-cept of Texas A&M as a way of life,ate the Richard and Jill Steco Cancer Rick said. He took me to an AggieResearch Endowment in Memory football game, and I immediatelyofLindaSteco.Endowmentpro-fell in love with the place. The cam- ceeds will fund cancer prevention pus and the people really resonatedresearch in the Texas A&M College with me. of Medicine.After Lindas death, Ricks motherWe thought that if we could get introduced him to Jill, the lifestylesan idea going, others might sup-director at her senior living facil- port Texas A&Ms cancer research ity.Thematchmakingeffortwasendeavors, too, Rick said. Even a success. Eager to introduce Jill toif gifts are in the form of smaller Mikal and his other Aggie friends,contributions, those become larger Rick took Jill to her first Texas A&Mcontributions down the road. Jill football game. Not a football fan,agreed. For me, leading by example Jill had her reservations. But thosemeans giving others an idea of what were soon dispelled. I understoodthey can do to make a difference.SPIRIT OF SHARING|LEAD BY EXAMPLE EDITION|15'