U. cancer center gets $100 mil. donation

The donation will fund cancer research and improved patient care. In one of the largest gifts in Penn history, University officials today plan to announce a $100 million donation to fund cancer research. The donation from the Abramson Family Foundation -- which is the largest single contribution ever to a cancer research center -- will go toward the creation of the Leonard and Madlyn Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute at the University of Pennsylvania Cancer Center. Leonard Abramson is the founder and former chairperson and chief executive officer of U.S. Healthcare Inc. The company took over the managemnt of the University's student health insurance plans last summer. Although University officials considered purchasing the Philadelphia Civic Center at 34th Street and Civic Center Boulevard to house the new Cancer Center, the donation will not fund any capital purchases, and will instead be used only on research, according to Cancer Center Director John Glick. "[The Abramson family's] wish was to put their money into research and not bricks and mortar," the Hematology and Oncology Professor explained. The new research will be housed in the Stellar-Chance Laboratories in the University Medical Center and the Cancer Center's current space in the Penn Tower Hotel. The center will also use space in Biomedical Research Buildings Nos. 2 and 3 when the two are completed in April 1999. But the Civic Center, which the city has been trying to sell for nearly four years, may figure into future plans, Glick said. Past negotiations between the University and the city over the Civic Center have fallen apart because of disagreements over its price. Glick said the new research funding will allow the Center to lure "top-level scientists who need a huge start-up package to be attracted to Penn." Funds will also help provide top-quality psychological care and social work for cancer patients, he added. "This donation is fabulous, momentous and unprecedented and we are really grateful," Glick said. University President Judith Rodin expressed her gratitude to the Abramson family last night in a prepared statement. "This altruistic gift is a testament to Leonard and Madlyn Abramson's extraordinary philanthropic vision and their personal dedication to helping all members of the cancer community," she said. "The Abramson generosity will further the Cancer Center's quest to unravel the biomedical mysteries of cancer in order to design better treatment options and ultimately find a cure." Penn's Cancer Center, established in 1973, is one of 31 National Cancer Institute-designated and -funded cancer centers in the country. Its 330 staff members are drawn from 41 departments in eight University schools. Abramson received about $1 billion in compensation in 1996 when Blue Bell, Pa.-based U.S. Healthcare -- the country's largest manager of health benefits -- merged with insurer Aetna Inc.

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