Corona del Mar residents Robert R. and Margaret Sprague know what it means to make things happen. They donated $5 million through their family’s foundation to launch construction of a state-of-the-art cancer and genetics research facility in UC Irvine’s Biomedical Research Center.

This is just one example of the Spragues’ commitment to UCI’s future as one of the nation’s foremost research universities. The Sprague family previously donated $2.2 million to UCI’s Brain Imaging Center for research and to establish the Robert R. Sprague Endowed Chair in brain imaging. The family also has supported the arboretum, childhood development programs and the Chancellor’s Club.

Concerning their most recent gift, Sprague says, “Peggie and I are extremely pleased to be in a position to help make the cancer and genetics research center a reality. It’s exciting to think that lives will be improved and very likely saved as a result of the science conducted there.”