The Amador Cancer Research Foundation and the Christine and Helen Landgraf Memorial Fund

Established in 1973 with the UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center

The Amador Cancer Research Foundation (ACRF) is a non-profit whose mission is to support cancer research at the UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center, one of 52 federally designated Cancer Centers in the United States.

The ACRF raises funds for the Christine and Helen Landgraf Memorial Research Award, an endowed fund that has given annual research grants at the Cancer Center since 1973 and has supported innovative work in cancer treatment, diagnosis, and palliative care for 50 years. The Landgraf Award was created by John and Helen Landgraf to honor their daughter, Christine, who died of Hodgkin’s disease at the age of 27.

After Christine’s death, John and Helen (both artists and private detectives) were determined to help bring quality cancer care to the greater Sacramento area. The fund was modest in the early years and was supported mostly by close family friends. After Helen and John died, the Landgraf family, with the support of long-time donors David and Diane Logan, created the ACRF to continue their work. The award has inspired other families and communities to create similar funds to support the UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center and to engage the broader community in this important work.

Get Involved

There are many areas where you can help us fundraise and support the great work of the UC Davis Cancer Center:

  • Donate items to our live and silent auctions – In the past, we have had items as diverse as a yacht tour around San Francisco Bay, a truck load of gravel, a handmade quilt, and bottles of quality local wines. We want to offer things that are regional, unique, and fun!
  • Be an event sponsor – We welcome corporate and individual sponsors and encourage businesses and families to support our Spaghetti Western fundraiser or to underwrite certain aspects of it. We will acknowledge sponsors in several different ways before and during the event especially featuring prominent placement on posters distributed countywide, and in newspaper advertisements (ranging from 1/4 page to full page).
  • Volunteer at the event – Our volunteers have a great time-whether welcoming guests, serving food, helping park cars, or decorating and cleaning up.
  • Leave a legacy through your estate – Consider including the Amador Cancer Research Foundation in your estate plans and leave a legacy that will support vital cancer research in perpetuity. Please join the growing list of Amador County residents and friends who have included ACRF in their estate plans.

With multiple opportunities to give, we are grateful for your attention to this cause! We hope you are able to support this vital work that affects the lives of so many in our community and the world.

Sincerely,

The Amador Cancer Research Foundation Board

Cathy Landgraf, Jennifer Mason, Brenda Ristrom, Jim Schnepp, Jeanine Stiles, and Jago Landgraf

We are grateful for the contributions and incredible dedication of our former board members and for all they have done to support this cause. Thank you to Julie Rader, Teri Schnepp, Gary Little, John Mills, Jamie Colburn-Lubenko, Hal and Shirley Jones, Loren and Marylou Fasmer, and Stephen Honeychurch.