A thief steals a MacBook containing a possible cure for cancer

January 14, 2011 By Jeffrey Van Camp

A MacBook was stolen from the car of two cancer researchers. The data on it was not backed up and represents years of research lost if it is not returned.

There’s an old rule to backing up files: Have at least three copies of your data in multiple formats. That means at least one on-site backup and one off-site backup. These rules are doubly important if what you are storing is the cure for cancer! Sook Shin and husband Ralf Jankecht, leading cancer researchers at Oklahoma University, did not know or follow this rule. When the couple made a stop at a Panera in Oklahoma City, a white MacBook was stolen from their car. That MacBook contained the only copies of important prostate cancer research, reports CNET.

It seems almost hoax-like, but a local news station picked up the story. The burglar smashed a window in the couple’s car and ran off with the 13-inch white MacBook and the dark orange computer bag it was in. The couple is now offering $1,000 (no questions asked) for the laptop. “Thief, it is OK. Everybody makes mistakes,” is printed on flyers posted in local pawn shops.

“Please return the computer with the data saved,” Jankecht said. “This would tremendously help us and you would do something for society.”

This isn’t the first time this has happened. Last October, a professor had his laptop stolen. Luckily, in that case the thief was nice enough to put his unbacked data onto a flash drive and drop it off to him anonymously. Sook Shin can only hope her story turns out as fortunate.

Showing 6 comments

James D. Dunn at 6:10pm 29th March 2011 The most brilliant people often have the least amount of common sense. But this is the second time. You think you would learn not to trust Sooners.... oh wait. I'm a Sooner.
Errka J at 4:20pm 17th January 2011 I just want to facepalm so badly.
Dave at 9:10am 17th January 2011 Have they ever heard of CrashPlan?
Ryan at 9:36am 16th January 2011 I think something else is going on with the laptop that they are scared will get out, like child pornography or something else illegal.
ioman at 9:53am 14th January 2011 This reminds me of the hospital administrator here in Oregon that left their laptop in their car. The laptop had all of the hospital's patient information on it like email, address etc. Completely dumb.
Tim at 9:47am 14th January 2011 Seriously, what is data like this doing sitting in the back seat of someones car. Interesting how people can be smart but not have common sense. I do hope that they get the information back, and have learned their lesson.