How the Generosity of Two People Changed Lives Forever

For those who know the Rogels, their contribution would not have come as a surprise. In a 2018 interview with Michigan Medicine, the Rogels explain how they have lost several close family members, including their respective parents due to various types of cancer. Furthermore, Susan sadly lost her daughter to small cell lung cancer, even with no history of smoking (Kozlowski). They say these unfortunate losses are what drove them to “attract the best and brightest to go into research” (“Introducing the Rogel Cancer Center,” 00:01:32 - 00:01:34). Both the Rogels and Eric Fearnon, the current director at the Rogel Cancer Center, have a vision: to advance the people and programs. With their donation, the Rogels are able to fund research grants, professorships, scholarships for medical students, drug discovery, and more advanced technology (Kozlowski). For instance, their initial donation has helped support research that has allowed for the identification of a gene fusion that occurs in half of all prostate cancers and other such innovations.

The name “Rogel” has several meanings. According to Ancestry.com, Rogel is derived from Rogelj in Slovenian and can be defined as “a tall young man” or, topographically, “someone who lived on a horn-shaped spur of a hill.” BehindtheName says the name Richard means a “brave ruler,” derived from German origins. The name Susan originates from the Hebrew word for “lily” or the Egyptian word for “lotus” (Gardiner). Together, like their names, Richard and Susan represent great leaders as they are the combined version of a determined ruler and a delicate, yet also strong figure. The juxtaposition of these seemingly contrasting images are exactly what good leaders should encompass. They must lead with power, but also be empathetic of the people’s individual needs. 

As representatives of one of the leading medical organizations, the Rogels have achieved great success in facilitating the development of new technologies that reduce the burden on cancer patients. Richard Rogel describes how helping Michigan is his “reason for being these days” and that “it’s [his] new career.” It is everyone’s hope that the Rogel Cancer Center will continue to thrive and, one day, achieve a lifelong dream: finding a cure for cancer. 

Works Cited

“A New Approach to Target an “Undruggable” Prostate Cancer Driver.” Rogel Cancer Center University of Michigan Health, 24 Mar. 2017, www.rogelcancercenter.org/news/archive/new-approach-target-undruggable-prostate-cancer-driver. Accessed 4 Apr. 2023.

Gardiner, Alan H. “The Egyptian Origin of Some English Personal Names.” Journal of the American Oriental Society, vol. 56, no. 2, 1936, pp. 189–97. JSTOR, https://doi.org/10.2307/594666. Accessed 30 Mar. 2023.

“Introducing the Rogel Cancer Center.” Youtube, uploaded by Michigan Medicine, 29 Mar. 2018, www.youtube.com/watch?v=XWPr9r0PRFc. Accessed 31 Mar. 2023.

Kozlowski, Kim. “Couple Donates $150M to UM Cancer Center.” The Detroit News, 29 Mar. 2018, www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/michigan/2018/03/29/university-michigan-cancer-center-donation/33377653/. Accessed 31 Mar. 2023.

Lessnau, Laura. “With $150M Gift, Rogels Will Help U-M Cancer Center Transform Cancer Research, Care.” University of Michigan News, 28 Mar. 2018, news.umich.edu/with-150m-gift-rogels-will-help-u-m-cancer-center-transform-cancer-research-care/. Accessed 4 Apr. 2023.

“Richard.” Behind the Name, 7 Dec. 2022, www.behindthename.com/name/richard. Accessed 31 Mar. 2023.

“Richard and Susan Rogel.” Rogel Cancer Center University of Michigan Health, www.rogelcancercenter.org/about/richard-and-susan-rogel. Accessed 31 Mar. 2023.

Photo of Richard and Susan Rogel. Rogel Cancer Center University of Michigan Health, www.rogelcancercenter.org/about/richard-and-susan-rogel. Accessed 6 Apr. 2023

“Rogel Family History.” Ancestry, www.ancestry.com/name-origin?surname=rogel#:~:text=Spanish%3A%20from%20the%20personal%20name,shaped%20spur%20of%20a%20hill. Accessed 31 Mar. 2023.

“Stephen Ross Gives Additional $50 Million to U-M, Bringing Total Lifetime Giving to $378 Million.” Leaders & Best, leadersandbest.umich.edu/news/ross#:~:text=Ross%20continues%20to%20be%20the,billion%20goal%20for%20student%20support. Accessed 6 Apr. 2023.

Sun, Eileen. Exterior photograph of Rogel Cancer Center. 7 Apr. 2023. Author’s personal collection.

“Timeline.” Rogel Cancer Center University of Michigan Health, www.rogelcancercenter.org/about/timeline. Accessed 31 Mar. 2023.

“University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center.” National Cancer Institute, 10 Feb. 2021, www.cancer.gov/research/infrastructure/cancer-centers/find/umichiganccc#:~:text=Founded%20in%201986%2C%20the%20University. Accessed 31 Mar. 2023.