Longtime Orleans, Neb., resident Robert Kuhl worked hard during his
life, diligently farming land and running an equipment repair business.
Though he met an untimely death a few years ago, the result of his labors
is now benefiting medical researchers nearly 240 miles across Nebraska
at the University of Nebraska Medical Center.
Through the Robert E. Kuhl Testamentary Trust, the University of Nebraska
Foundation recently received a $170,000 bequest to support medical research
at UNMC. Kuhl initially established the trust to care for his brother who
suffered from pulmonary disease and then to support research in cancer
and pulmonary medicine upon his death, said Roger Benjamin, a trustee for
the Kuhl Trust. I believe Robert Kuhl would be proud of the work that
will continue as a result of his diligence and generosity, he said.
Through medical research, UNMC is able to determine better means of
detecting, treating and possibly eliminating many diseases that affect
individuals in Nebraska and around the world, said UNMCs Vice Chancellor
for Research Thomas Rosenquist, Ph.D. The generosity of Mr. Kuhl in directing
his gift to medical research will help us advance promising efforts in
two critical areas, Dr. Rosenquist said.
In Nebraska, cancer ranks as the second leading cause of death with
one in every five deaths related to the disease. UNMCs physicians and
researchers are committed to eradicating a disease that claims the lives
of more than 500,000 people in the United States each year, said Kenneth
Cowan, M.D., Ph.D., director of the UNMC Eppley Cancer Center.
We are devoted to developing new cancer treatments and prevention and
helping our patients recover their lives, Dr. Cowan said. Doing so requires
an investment in the work taking place in both clinical and laboratory
settings. Were grateful for Mr. Kuhls foresight in helping us unravel
the mysteries of cancer and thus save lives.
Equally concerning for Nebraskans is the states asthma mortality which
ranked second highest in the nation between 1990-1995, according to a 1998
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report and the latest data available.
With the states asthma mortality rate higher than the national rate, the
Kuhl estate gift will help UNMCs section of pulmonary, critical care and
sleep medicine advance its important work.
Each day we are working to find better ways to diagnose and treat diseases
of the lungs and respiratory system, said Joe Sisson, M.D., chief of UNMCs
section of pulmonary, critical care and sleep medicine. Mr. Kuhls generous
gift will help us advance critical research focused on airway inflammation
and repair and further our clinical trials in asthma, smoking cessation
and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.