Honoring the Abramsons: Renaming
the Cancer Center
In
celebration of the extraordinary generosity and support of Leonard
and Madlyn Abramson and their family to the University of Pennsylvania
Cancer Center, Penn has announced the renaming of its nationally
recognized, National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive
Cancer Center to the Abramson Cancer Center of the University
of Pennsylvania.
"The
Abramsons generosity has significantly advanced Penns
quest to unravel the biomedical mysteries of cancer in order to
design better treatment options and ultimately find a cure,"
said President Judith Rodin. "With their extraordinary philanthropic
vision and personal dedication to help all members of the cancer
community, particularly patients and their loved ones, the Abramson
commitment has enabled us to realize a new era in cancer treatment
and research."
The
Cancer Center is one of the largest in the country, with 345 members
from 41 departments and eight schools of the University and over
$120 million per year in external research grant funding. In 1997,
the Abramsons announced a $100 million gift to establish The Leonard
and Madlyn Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute at the University
of Pennsylvania Cancer Center. "This was the largest such
gift to a cancer center at the time and one of the largest donations
ever received by the University," added Dr. Rodin.
According
to Dr. Arthur H. Rubenstein, EVP of UPHS and dean of the School
of Medicine, "The Abramson Institute has become a critically
important research and clinical component of the Cancer Center
and the University." Major scientific initiatives made possible
by the extraordinary Abramson gift include programs in translational
research, cancer cell biology, signal transduction, cancer genomics,
and biomedical informatics. Currently, the Institute supports
27 Penn researchers and more than 250 personnel.
"We
want to recognize the Abramson family and acknowledge the significant
research and clinical accomplishments made possible through their
magnificent gift," said Dr. John H. Glick, director of the
Center. "We decided that the fifth anniversary of the Abramsons
gift was the appropriate time to celebrate and thank the Abramsons
for making our Cancer Center what it is today."
"In
addition to making possible numerous scientific accomplishments,
the Abramsons have helped to transform the level of clinical cancer
care and service excellence at the Cancer Center," added
Dr. Glick. Abramson-funded patient service coordinators, cancer
nutritionists, and psychosocial counselors help patients and their
families cope with the physical, emotional, and practical complexities
of their care. Comprehensive cancer rehabilitation services and
a service excellence training program also contribute to new levels
of patient satisfaction.
"It
is wonderful that the University is recognizing the Abramson family
for its strong support of cancer research and treatment,"
said Dr. George Vande Woude, former scientific director of the
National Cancer Institute and Director of the Van Andel Research
Institute. "The Abramson familys investment in the
Cancer Center has already had a profound effect on the cancer
program of the University of Pennsylvania, helping to build a
world-class cancer research program and develop new treatments
for this disease, which affect one in three Americans."
Throughout
its history, the Center has been continuously recognized regionally
and nationally for its contributions to patient care, research,
professional education, and patient and community outreach. The
Center is one of only 37 Comprehensive Cancer Centers approved
and designated by the NCI. It was among the first cancer centers
to receive this prestigious designation, and has continually maintained
this status. It is also ranked fourth in research grant funding
from the National Cancer Institute.