It’s been almost three years since I lost my beloved husband, Dr. Frank Zaldivar – a brilliant scientist and admirable crusader of social justice in the area of health and wellness. His absence has left a palpable, at times, unbearable, void in my life. There isn’t a day that goes by in which I don’t think of him and both cry and laugh. I cry because the sadness and the emptiness I feel is just as profound today as the day he passed. I laugh, because he remains the funniest individual that I have ever met! His personality was larger than life, his smile broader than a baseball stadium, his humor unparalleled, and his laughter contagious.
Beyond other loves, he was a lover of life, family, friends, science, social justice, canine companions, and music. He fought multiple myeloma and amyloidosis valiantly, with dignity and grace for 15 years. If it were up to him, he would have worked another 15 more years at UCI. And, he would have continued volunteering another 15 more years at the ALMA Science Academy and Mentorship Pipeline in Santa Ana, which has now been renamed after him to honor his legacy. Truly, he was as passionate about his work as he was about his family.
It is that passion of his, that exuberance for life, that love for people that he held dear, and that determination and resiliency in the face of significant health adversities, that propels me forward as well. He would be so honored to know that people were continuing the good fight against cancer in his memory.
Thank you, UCI PERC Team, for keeping his UCI memory alive.
I am so grateful to my sons, family, and friends who have been there for me – I couldn’t have made it this far without you. I hope you will join me Saturday, October 10th, 2026 either in person, in prayer, in spirit, or via support of this cause. For all who continue to struggle with cancer, our hearts are joined with you, and we continue to walk your walk.
Fondly,
Tracey Zaldivar
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