A spirit of generosity is woven into the fabric of the Abramson Cancer Center, and it is this thoughtful commitment of our philanthropic community that continues to energize our mission. Donors have helped revolutionize cancer research, care and education that has a ripple effect across the world. From pioneering new ideas and piloting clinical studies to educating the next generation of experts and empowering patients and families with knowledge—philanthropy is creating dynamic change for good.
Every aspect of the Pavilion—a revolutionary new facility to support Penn Medicine’s researchers, clinicians and faculty—adapts to developments in health care delivery. In the simplest terms: as health care evolves, so will the Pavilion. Much is owed to the philanthropic partnerships that helped make this center a reality.
The Abramsons have a long legacy of championing cancer care and research at Penn Medicine. Their philanthropic spirit continues with a generous $10 million gift from the Abramson Family Foundation to help ensure Penn Medicine’s Abramson Cancer Center remains on the leading edge. In recognition of the gift, the lobby of the new Pavilion at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania will be named in memory of the late Emeritus Trustee Madlyn K. Abramson, who passed away in 2020.
Over the course of the past several decades, Madlyn and Leonard Abramson have given more than $163 million to the Abramson Cancer Center. They are moved by a vision to support the bold ideas and patient-centered approaches that have propelled the center to its global reputation as a leader in cancer care and research. The Abramsons were also steadfast, early partners in support of Penn’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, contributing $1 million in support of COVID-19 research driven by the Abramson Cancer Center.
"The Pavilion’s Madlyn K. Abramson Lobby is a fitting tribute—generations of Penn Medicine patients will now be inspired with the same hope and compassionate healing that Madlyn imbued upon our community," said Robert H. Vonderheide, MD, DPhil, Director of the Abramson Cancer Center. "By investing in the innovation pipeline, the family’s gift will also fuel scientific discovery at the Abramson Cancer Center. With this new support, we will be able to do more of what we do best: be nimble and seize every opportunity when promising ideas emerge, so that we can get more novel therapies to our patients faster than ever before."
This serves as a connector between the Pavilion and the Perelman Center for Advanced Medicine, bridging inpatient and outpatient care.
This gives space for family members and caregivers to gather privately, or to meet with their loved one’s care team.
The new all-private rooms provide ample space for patients and their families to recover in a healing environment with all the latest clinical and entertainment technology—as well as thoughtful touches to optimize privacy. External Care Stations allow medical staff to provide care without disturbing rest.
"The Pavilion represents the very best of Penn Medicine—forward-thinking medical innovation paired with our Quaker spirit of providing the best care for all. It’s going to change—and save—lives, and we couldn’t be more grateful to our compassionate donors who are helping the Pavilion come together."
A busy hub of activity at the Pavilion, this large, interconnected space has a premier café to nourish the body—and highlights the breathtaking work of Maya Lin’s Tree of Life to heal the body as well as the soul.
The Berman Family has created a fitting tribute to Richard Berman in this new state-of-the-art BMT Unit, where immunocompromised patients will be cared for by the same expert staff—now in a space that can quickly adapt to keep them safe and comfortable during longer stays.
Located at the end of each patient floor, these serene spaces with breathtaking views allow families another area in proximity to their loved ones. These spaces were generously made possible by Jill and Alan Miller, Barbara Netter and Lyn Ross.
The importance of a named center comes in its ability to bring together people with different skill sets but the same core values to improve the lives of people facing cancer. We are grateful to the philanthropists who provide resources to make this possible.
From seamless care all in one location and integrated patient and family support to survivorship programs, the Abramson Cancer Center is there through every step of a patient’s cancer journey.
These centers benefit from the entire network of research facilities on Penn Medicine’s campus as well as collaborations between physicians and scientists which enable fast translation of discoveries from bench to bedside:
The Tara Miller Melanoma Center (TMMC) celebrates the life and legacy of a woman who continues to inspire innovation and improve the lives of cancer patients and their families.
When the center opened in 2019, Tara’s doctor and TMMC Director Lynn M. Schuchter, MD, spoke about the personal significance of this moment—which was years in the making—and how the center is a fitting legacy for Tara.
Tara’s cancer journey began at the Abramson Cancer Center when she was diagnosed with stage III melanoma at the age of 28. Despite the seriousness of her diagnosis and a challenging 15 months of treatment, Tara never wavered from the fundamental values of her personality: a sense of humor and a tendency to think of others before herself.
Tara became a passionate advocate for melanoma patients, inspiring those around her through her strength and positivity, while articulating the importance of funding innovative melanoma research.
A few months before she passed away in October 2014, Tara founded the Tara Miller Melanoma Foundation, which has since raised more than $5 million for melanoma research, much of which is led by experts at the Abramson Cancer Center.
Now, thanks to a generous gift from Tara’s parents George and Debbie, the Abramson Cancer Center has established the Tara Miller Melanoma Center in testament to Tara’s passion, vision and voice. Combining resources from across Penn Medicine, the Center supports critical translational research, clinical initiatives and patient education and outreach opportunities. These crucial resources enable the center to pilot novel ideas and propel new treatments for melanoma patients worldwide.
"Tara left a lasting impression on everyone who had the privilege to know her, and now the research being done in her name will have lasting effects for patients far into the future," says Dr. Schuchter. "We feel honored and inspired that Tara will forever be a part of our efforts to cure melanoma."
Now researchers are strategizing ways to predict the success of therapies in advance and inform treatment plans to create better outcomes for patients, including:
John H. Glick, MD
President, Abramson Cancer Center
John H. Glick, MD, established the medical oncology program at Penn Medicine and led the Abramson Cancer Center longer than any other director, from 1985 to 2006. At the conclusion of the 2021 academic year, Dr. Glick retired and assumed emeritus status, leaving behind an outstanding legacy.
But his incomparable contributions—and presence—will never be forgotten.
Dr. Glick has been an invaluable member of the Penn Medicine faculty since he joined in 1974 as the Ann B. Young Assistant Professor, having completed fellowships at National Cancer Institute (NCI) and Stanford. As director of Abramson Cancer Center, Dr. Glick made the center a national model for a comprehensive hub—one that influences the NCI Comprehensive Cancer Center designation to this day—having drawn on resources and faculty from myriad places. Then, in 1997, Penn Medicine received a transformative gift of $100 million from Leonard and Madlyn Abramson to establish the Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute aimed at transforming scientific breakthroughs into innovative cancer treatments.
During this time, Dr. Glick also became a driving force in philanthropy at Penn Medicine, galvanizing the philanthropic community to raise more than $600 million for Penn Medicine and the Abramson Cancer Center. From the Roberts Proton Therapy Center, the Perelman Center for Advanced Medicine and the Pavilion, to funding for clinical care programs, to the recruitment of expert scientists and training of the next generation of cancer specialists, Dr. Glick has left a lasting legacy on the footprint of medicine in Philadelphia and beyond.
From Philadelphia to New York City to New Zealand, communities around the globe come together to raise awareness—and financial support—for cancer research and patient care. Passionate organizers adapted events into virtual formats, added safety protocols and embraced tools like Penn’s Giving Pages to honor loved ones and frontline healthcare workers and stay connected in a shared mission.
A star-studded event that brings together champions from across the cancer community, Philly Fights Cancer has raised more than $42 million for cancer research at the Abramson Cancer Center—drastically improving outcomes for people with cancer.
Founded in 2015 by the Abramson Family, Philly Fights Cancer brings together a powerful community of donors, cancer experts on the front line, and patients and families who share the Abramson Cancer Center’s commitment to the forward-thinking research and compassionate care for which the Center is internationally renowned.
This year’s Basser Jean Bash, co-chaired by Mindy and Jon Gray and Shari and Len Potter, did more than raise a record-breaking $17 million for research at the Basser Center for BRCA. The fashionable event held in New York celebrated 10 years of progress and hope, featured a powerful set of advocates including tennis legend Chris Evert, and Penn’s new president Liz Magill, and ended with a special performance from Sarah Bareilles. The evening also raised critical awareness of BRCA mutations and helped spread knowledge to families at risk of BRCA-related cancers. By addressing BRCA from all sides, the Basser community is creating connections and discoveries that will help generations of families.
BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutations bring an increased risk for breast, ovarian, pancreatic and prostate cancers. These hereditary mutations affect both men and women, and can bring up to a 75% lifetime risk of developing breast cancer and up to a 50% risk of ovarian cancer.
2013 marked the start of the Breakthrough Bike Challenge. Since then, this organization has raised over $2 million for cancer research at the Abramson Cancer Center. Now known as the Breakthrough Challenge, their community has grown even stronger by incorporating far more than a bike ride, including a virtual option. Developed in response to the pandemic, the virtual format helped them continue to fundraise and reach an even wider network. And what an impact the Breakthrough Challenge has made at the Abramson Cancer Center. Proceeds have helped 43 scientists with pilot funding to pursue their novel ideas, building our pipeline for innovation and this powerful community.
In the spirit of paying it forward, in 2020, Penn cancer researcher and BBC Cooper Scholar, Alfred Garfall, MD, and his son pedaled 100 miles for the cause, joining nearly 500 fellow bikers, spinners, runners and walkers who logged 20,875 miles in the challenge.
"Potential donors to research may think: These projects take so much money, how could I possibly make a difference?" Dr. Garfall says. "The key is that the effect multiplies. That seed funding, even if it’s modest, enables us to get larger amounts from outside sources."
Since its start 30 years ago, the Jay Sigel Invitational has raised more than $3M for prostate and breast cancer research at the Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute (AFCRI)—helping to transform a relatively underfunded area of cancer research into a hub of activity and advancement. This loyal community has helped foster an environment where researchers work hand-in-hand with clinicians to translate basic science discoveries into personalized therapies that benefit cancer patients throughout the world.
A group of like-minded folks gather the pop-punk community for a nationwide musical concert to raise money for patients and families experiencing financial distress as a result of cancer.
This Pennsylvania 5K run and walk fundraiser—now in its ninth year—for the Penn Medicine Sarcoma program, a collaborative endeavor between Penn Medicine, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and Penn Vet, focused on developing new approaches to diagnosing and treating pediatric and adult bone and soft tissue tumors. What started as a gathering of a few hundred people supporting a rare disease now represents a passionate community that has contributed nearly $1M to sarcoma research at Penn.
Avid runner and U.S. expatriate Sarah Parkinson lives in New Zealand. Being far from home is not easy, so to help feel more connected and to honor her mother who passed away from cancer, she dedicated her participation in a local half-marathon to help raise money for the Abramson Cancer Center.
Members of these esteemed councils have taken their generosity to the next level by committing their time, connections and philanthropic resources to empower the Abramson Cancer Center community.
The Abramson Cancer Center Director’s Leadership Council (ACCDLC) plays an instrumental role in the success of our mission by raising the resources necessary to support our most critical needs, and bring hope to cancer patients and their families. ACCDLC members are among our most vital advocates, ambassadors and donors.
*Chair
Julie and Jason Borrelli recognized the opportunity at Penn to create a meaningful difference for families affected by Lynch syndrome (LS), a hereditary genetic disorder that greatly increases a person’s risk for developing gastrointestinal cancers, as well as multiple other types such as skin and reproductive cancers. They have laid the foundation for better understanding the immune system’s role in LS with $2.6 million in support for work led by John Wherry, PhD, Chair of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics and Director of the Institute for Immunology, and Bryson Katona, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor of Medicine—collaborators who bridge immunology research and gastrointestinal cancer clinical care to develop novel therapeutic strategies for families seeking options.
Infused with philanthropic resources, the team can now characterize the immune profiles of individuals living with LS and build a bio-bank of samples to help the entire scientific community focus on conducting research in this understudied disease.
Julie and Jason reflect on making their gift:
"Research and awareness are lacking for Lynch syndrome, and we knew about Penn’s strength in the immunology space, so we inquired if there was any potential in using this science to target LS. When we met with the team to hear more, the ideas were all there. They just needed the funding. So we went home and thought about how we could make this happen. Working together with the development team, we structured the gift over five years. It’s been incredibly rewarding to set this dynamic group of scientists up with resources to pursue knowledge in an area they otherwise may not have, but has promise for so many families."
The Basser Center Advisory Board advocates, informs and engages on behalf of the Basser Center. The board enhances and supports the center’s mission and provides hope to patients and families by securing the resources needed to accelerate BRCA-related research, care and education.
*Chair
Helene was diagnosed with breast cancer after her first mammogram at the age of 40, and learned that she had a BRCA1 mutation. Thirteen years later, she was diagnosed with another primary breast cancer and, once again, went through a series of aggressive treatments.
Along with her husband Rob, Helene has supported several of The Basser Center for BRCA’s key initiatives, including its scholarship for underrepresented minority students pursuing a master’s degree in genetic counseling at the Perelman School of Medicine. She and Rob have also included Basser in their estate plans, ensuring a legacy of support.
With an MBA from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, Helene is no stranger to Philadelphia. After 20 years in finance, she is eager to help make a difference in the fight against BRCA-related cancers as a proud member of Basser’s Advisory Board. She is also co-chair of Basser’s Parents Leadership Community and her daughter, Jenny, is co-chair of Basser’s Young Leadership Council.
The IAB is a group of civic and corporate leaders who accelerate our cancer research enterprise by offering their strategic business and community expertise, along with their advocacy, engagement and connections.
*Chair
David Jacobs is a true Penn citizen. In addition to receiving both a bachelor’s degree in economics cum laude and an MBA from the Wharton School, David is a philanthropic leader and a founding member of the Abramson Cancer Center’s Innovation Advisory Board. A Managing Director at OpCapita, LLP, David brings not only his perspective as an alumnus to our community, but also shares a wealth of experience from his long career in private equity, investment banking and financial advisory in both domestic and global markets.
Philanthropy is fundamental to David, his wife Robin, and their three children, Alex, Daniel and Izzie, who generously support multiple areas across Penn Medicine—from institutional priorities like pilot funding to explore high-risk, high-reward ideas, to paying tribute to a loved one by investing in the field of sarcoma research.
David and his family’s giving also reflects a deep gratitude for compassionate patient care and a belief in supporting talented physicians—including gifts to the Department of Otorhinolaryngology as well as dedicating a new space in the Pavilion for physicians to recharge as they care for our patients and families.
David’s strong ties to the Penn community and his impactful advocacy for the Abramson Cancer Center’s Innovation Advisory Board make him an inspiring champion for our mission and instrumental in the scientific strides of our future.
Like every patient, each donation we receive is special and important. Individually, each person makes a difference; collectively our many friends help write the next chapter in cancer research and patient care.
Gifts listed are from July 1, 2021 through December 31, 2022. If we have omitted or misstated an acknowledgment, please contact us at Abramson-Gifts@upenn.edu or 215.898.0878.
To join this generous group of donors, click here.
