Philly Fights Cancer

Philly Fights Cancer is saddened to announce the passing of our organization’s founder and the namesake of the Abramson Cancer Center, Mrs. Madlyn Abramson. A loving mother and wife, a very proud grandmother and beloved friend, Madlyn passed on Wednesday, April 15th at the age of 84 years old.

Madlyn was dedicated to improving the health of those who were ill. "The reputation we enjoy today as one of the nation’s preeminent cancer centers has been built on the strong foundation that Madlyn laid," said Robert Vonderheide, MD, DPhil, director of the Abramson Cancer Center. "Our pursuit of curing cancer unites us every day to do more for our patients here in the Abramson Cancer Center and across the world, and we have Madlyn, together with her husband Leonard, to thank for the vision that set us on this path." Always leading the way in support of patients, the Abramsons were the first to step up at the onset of the current global health crisis, contributing $1 million in support of COVID-19 related research performed at the Abramson Cancer Center. She was known for her drive, her absolute focus on compassionate patient care, and her dedication to Penn’s physicians and researchers.

A survivor of breast cancer herself, Madlyn put she and Leonard’s gift into a personal context in 1997: “As a cancer survivor for 12 years, I understand the importance of patient-centered approaches in research and clinical activities.” In the years since, the ACC has established national models for cancer care, on-boarding a diverse team of patient-service coordinators, cancer nutritionists, and psychosocial counselors and social workers, and developing robust survivorship programs.

In a statement on Thursday, J. Larry Jameson, MD, PhD said of Madlyn “Her public commitment would prove prescient: Among first recruits to the Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute made possible by their gift was Carl June, MD, the immunotherapy pioneer responsible for the development of what became the first personalized cellular therapy for cancer. At a celebration event attended by hundreds of faculty and staff to celebrate the FDA’s historic approval of the therapy in August 2017, Madlyn and Leonard stood by proudly with Dr. June, his team of physicians and scientists, and our leadership. It was an honor to have her share that moment with all of us.”

He continued: “Madlyn’s impulse to help, to share, and to inspire is one she learned from her father, Maurice Kornberg, and his devotion to his patients.” As Madlyn recalled, “It was very important to my father to do something that was helping and healing.” She also credited her father’s influence for her decision to attend Penn, where she earned a bachelor’s and master’s degree, both in education.

Philly Fights Cancer asks that our friends and supporters keep Madlyn’s husband, Leonard, three daughters — Marcy Abramson Shoemaker, Nancy, and Judy Abramson Felgoise — and many grandchildren in your thoughts and prayers.  Madlyn’s passing is a loss to the world, and her impact on cancer research will be felt for generations to come.

Contributions in her memory may be made to the Abramson Cancer Center at the University of Pennsylvania 3535 Market Street – Suite 750, Philadelphia, PA  19104 or Philly Fights Cancer.

Madlyn Abramson’s full obituary can be found here: https://www.inquirer.com/obituaries/madlyn-abramson-leonard-philanthropist-abramson-center-for-jewish-life-trustee-penn-died-20200416.html