Jim Otto, legendary center for the Oakland Raiders, is the recipient of the UC Davis Foundation's 2006 Charles J. Soderquist Award. The award ecognizes Otto's extraordinary volunteer leadership and support of philanthropy at UC Davis.

Since undergoing treatment for prostate cancer at UC Davis Cancer Center in 2002, Otto has worked tirelessly to raise the institution's visibility regionally and nationally and to lead its Capital and Endowment Initiative. The initiative seeks to raise $35 million for an expansion that will double the size of the Cancer Center and create new endowments in cancer research.

"Jim Otto's work to advance the mission and vision of UC Davis Cancer Center is an inspiration to all of us," said Chancellor Larry Vanderhoef at an awards ceremony on the UC Davis campus.

More than 100 people attended the luncheon ceremony, which included a special video testimonial from Otto's longtime coach, John Madden, now an NFL broadcaster.