Renowned local hematologist and philanthropist Dr. Edward Shanbrom died at his home in Santa Ana on Feb. 20.
Shanbrom was Orange County’s first oncologist and an early developer of clinical treatments for hemophilia patients.
“Hemophilia patients and blood product recipients worldwide have benefited from Dr. Shanbrom’s work,” said Samuel D. Anderson, a colleague and former pharmaceutical and biotechnology executive.
Shanbrom held 49 U.S. patents and 91 international patents in areas ranging from nutraceuticals to blood products.
He was also a big giver, supporting philanthropy efforts along with his wife, Helen, and four children via the Shanbrom Family Foundation and the Edward and Helen Shanbrom Family Fund of the Newport Beach-based Orange County Community Foundation.
Shanbrom also donated to Anaheim-based Community SeniorServ Inc., which provides meals to Orange County seniors; the Children’s Bureau of Southern California, which helps prevent child abuse and provides care to abused children; Thomas House Temporary Shelter; and the Salvation Army.
His philanthropy also extended to arts organizations, including Pacific Symphony, Philharmonic Society of Orange County, Opera Pacific and South Coast Repertory.
“Countless gifts in support of the Symphony are an abiding testament to the Shanbroms’ deep philanthropic commitment to the Symphony and to Orange County’s civic and cultural life as a whole,” Pacific Symphony President John Forsyte said.
The Edward Shanbrom M.D. Hall at the University of California, Irvine, is named in recognition of his pioneering hematology research and support of the university. The building is home to the Edward Shanbrom, M.D. Laboratory for the Study of Blood and Natural Products.
The Shanbroms were honored with the Orange County Community Foundation’s Excellence in Philanthropy Award in 2007 for their investments of time and money across numerous causes.
“Hundreds of organizations have benefitted from Edward and Helen’s thoughtful generosity,” said Shelley Hoss, foundation president. “Dr. Shanbrom’s unique combination of intellect and compassion has brought immeasurable good to our community, and the impact of his generosity will be felt for generations to come.”
Shanbrom’s family asked that memorial contributions be directed to the Orange County Community Foundation.
$320,000 in Grants
Round It Up America granted $320,000 to 25 charities in a recent ceremony at the Irvine Spectrum Yard House restaurant.
Round It Up America is a nonprofit co-founded by Harald Herrmann, chief executive of Irvine-based Yard House USA Inc., and Jennifer Weerheim, Yard House vice president of marketing.
The charity accumulates Yard House customer donations and makes grants during the year.
Customers, when paying their restaurant check, have the option of “rounding up” to the nearest dollar and contributing the difference to the nonprofit.
The nonprofit is in its second year of granting money to charities. Round It Up America donates mostly to food banks, emergency shelters and military support services in areas where Yard House has a location.
Recently the organization donated $75,000 to Operation Homefront, a national organization that provides emergency financial assistance, counseling, and recovery support to the families of service members as well as wounded soldiers; $20,000 to the education funds of Sacramento-based California Restaurant Association and National Restaurant Association; and $32,000 to the American Red Cross.
Other charities receiving a donation include: Families Forward in Irvine, Santa Ana-based Mercy House and others.
Caring Program
Santa Ana-based Register Charities, a nonprofit organization affiliated with Freedom Communications Inc.’s Orange County Register, is donating through its annual Season of Caring program $120,000 to eight local charities serving children, seniors, the homeless and the hungry.
The beneficiaries: Los Alamitos-based Casa Youth Shelter, Orangewood Children’s Foundation in Santa Ana and Orange-based Providence Speech & Hearing Center, among others.
Yacht Cruise
$40,000 was raised on a yacht cruise benefiting the Santa Ana-based chapter of the American Red Cross, serving Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino counties.
The fundraiser was held aboard Bill and Sue Johnson’s 100-foot yacht, the Dulcinea in Newport Harbor.
Bill Johnson is owner of Riverside-based Johnson Machinery Co., which rents and repairs Caterpillar trucks and equipment.
