A Legacy of Discovery and Collaboration: David Anderson's Commitment to LJI

David Anderson was looking for ways to support research at La Jolla Institute for Immunology (LJI) long before the COVID-19 pandemic. He went from an Institute supporter on the LJI Planned Giving Advisory Council (PGAC) to a leader when he took a position as Co-Chair of the LJI PGAC in 2016. Through this role he applied his experience as an estate planning attorney - and as a Bonsai Legacy member - to help others create legacies through their estate plans.

"The access LJI gives its supporters to observe the Institute's stunning science is unprecedented."

Reflecting on what inspired his giving to LJI, David shared, "the access LJI gives its supporters to observe the Institute's stunning science is unprecedented." He added, "immunology is the key to controlling or curing many of our most dangerous diseases and LJI scientists are leading researchers in their fields and happy to tell you why and what they are doing. They make their complex science understandable to the rest of us."

San Diego is David's home area, growing up in Coronado before attending Yale University. After college he became a Navy fighter pilot, and from 1965 to 67, flew the F-4 out of Miramar and from the aircraft carrier, Kitty Hawk. In 1969, he left flying for the Navy for law school at Harvard. After practicing in the Bay Area during the 70's, he returned to San Diego in 1979 and began building his estate planning practice. He is a founding partner of the San Diego estate planning firm Driscoll Anderson Reynard, LLP.

David has witnessed the growth of the biomedical industry in San Diego since the early 1980s, beginning with Hybritech, Inc. Looking back on the region's evolution, he shared, "I'm thrilled with what's been growing on Torrey Pines Mesa for over 45 years. The collection of minds out there is stunning."

David also praised San Diego's uniquely collaborative scientific culture, noting, "the spirit of collaboration is higher in San Diego than in any other Biotech area I know. Scientists regularly pick up the phone and trade information with colleagues working at UC San Diego, Scripps Research, The Salk Institute, The Burnham and other leading research institutions, just a few blocks or a continent away. They work together for results, rather than going it alone."

"A leading research firm searching with passion for a range of cures for diseases from Alzheimer's to cancer."

David describes LJI as an exceptionally collaborative and accessible institute, noting that its cooperative response during the COVID-19 pandemic brought the organization to the attention of biologic and immunology research institutions around the world. He believes LJI should now be more widely recognized by the public as "a leading research firm searching with passion for a range of cures for diseases from Alzheimer's to cancer." Guided by its motto, "Life Without Disease," David believes the scientists at LJI can help make that vision a reality.

"LJI has long offered outstanding public seminars and webinars, even before the pandemic."

"LJI has long offered outstanding public seminars and webinars, even before the pandemic," David says. When society went into lockdown, he was especially impressed by how LJI scientists took time away from their urgent research efforts to help the public better understand the realities of COVID-19. "There was a lot of misinformation out there, and good information was often hard to come by," he says. "LJI provided a free valuable public service, making useful and timely information available to the public."

David's goal is to share LJI's progress with an even wider audience of supporters. In addition to supporting the Institute philanthropically himself, David has worked closely with the LJI Advancement team to help secure critical funding for laboratories pursuing groundbreaking new research projects. "At LJI, a donation has an immediate beneficial impact on the scientists' work. Giving to LJI enhances the quality, depth, and breadth of scientific research and absolutely expands their ability to arrive at methodologies that result in life-saving therapies," David shared.

David is especially passionate about supporting the kind of high-risk, high-reward research that can lead to transformative discoveries but is not always funded through traditional grant mechanisms. Alongside support for vital ongoing research, early-career investigators, and endowed research chairs, philanthropy helps provide scientists with the flexibility to pursue bold new ideas and innovative approaches.

"Estate planning and planned gifts provide long-term financial stability for LJI."

For David, that commitment to advancing discovery is also about creating lasting impact. He shares, "estate planning and planned gifts provide long-term financial stability for LJI, helping ensure bold scientific discovery can continue moving forward with consistency and resilience amid changing conditions."

If you are interested in exploring leaving a legacy gift to LJI please don't hesitate to reach out. LJI would be honored to connect with you and your advisors to discuss the levels and giving vehicles that fit your philanthropic goals.