On July 31^st, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a non-surgical cancer treatment for patients with rare pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma neuroendocrine cancers.

The Abramson Cancer Center of the University of Pennsylvania is once again leading the way in rare cancer treatments. This is the second approval they have received over the past year for rare neuroendocrine cancers, following an approval in January 2018 for the drug Lutathera.

As one of a handful of academic medical centers committed to developing treatments for rare types of cancers, the Abramson Cancer Center was the perfect place to the lead the multi-center trials.  The innovative study led to the approval and grant to Progenics Pharmaceuticals for AZEDRA.

Pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma are rare tumors that form around the adrenal gland that result in the overproduction of hormones such as epinephrine (adrenaline) and dopamine, causing problems such as high blood pressure. These tumors are typically removed with surgery. Fewer than 2,600 new cases of these cancers are diagnosed each year in the United States. Prior to this cutting-edge development, the five-year survival rate of unresectable cases is estimated to be as low as 12 percent.

“This is a very exciting step in bringing a much-needed treatment to patients with metastatic pheochromocytomas and paragangliomas where limited treatment options exist,” shared Debbie Cohen, MD, Co-Director, Neuroendocrine Tumor Program.

Daniel Alexander Pryma, MD, Associate Professor Of Radiology At The Hospital Of The University Of Pennsylvania and one of the lead investigators of the clinical trial for AZEDRA.

“This is a true breakthrough. Until today, there were no anti-tumor therapies available for patients with these tumors who were not candidates for surgery,” said the trial’s principal investigator Daniel A. Pryma, MD.

Patients affected by pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma will receive a high, specifically-targeted dose of AZEDRA that attacks the tumor.

To read more about this historic FDA approval from Abramson Cancer Center, see here: https://www.pennmedicine.org/news/news-releases/2018/july/azedra-fda-approval

We’re gearing up for Philly Fights Cancer: Round 4 on Saturday, November 10^th, and as we count down to the celebration, we’re looking back at past headliners who have graced the stage for this incredible night. Did you know the funds raised by Philly Fights Cancer go directly to the life-saving clinical trials at the Abramson Cancer Center? Did you also know that certain sponsorship levels include a meet and greet with the performers, and even signed memorabilia? Read all about our incredible talent below, and for information about how you can meet this year’s world-class performers, Jerry Seinfeld and Maroon 5, contact sponsorship@phillyfightscancer.org.

Philly Fights Cancer: Round 4

Jerry Seinfeld and Maroon 5

Jerry Seinfeld, an Emmy and four-time American Comedy Award winner, will take the main stage at Philly Fights Cancer this year. The entertainment icon has also won numerous Golden Globe and People’s Choice awards, and “Seinfeld” holds the honor of being named the greatest television show of all time in 2009 by TV Guide.

Maroon 5, whose pop-rock songs have won hearts and more than 20 music awards, will rock the Philly Fights Cancer: Round 4 after party. The band, born and bred in Los Angeles, have solidified their position as one of pop music’s most enduring groups with their catchy hooks, soaring vocals, and signature sound. The band captured their first of three Grammy Awards as “Best New Artist” of 2005 and have gone on to sell more than 17 million albums worldwide. Their releases have also gone gold and platinum in over 35 countries.

Philly Fights Cancer: Round 3

John Legend, Earth Wind and Fire, and Whoopi Goldberg

There isn't much that John Legend can’t do. Legend has received three of the four major American entertainment awards with 10 Grammys, one Oscar and one Tony. He has recently been nominated for an Emmy for his performance in Jesus Christ Superstar, leading the path for Legend to become one of thirteen artists to have achieved an EGOT— the Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony. He took over the stage at Philly Fights Cancer: Round 3 with his iconic piano ballads and crooning vocals.

The Philly Fights Cancer after-party was headlined by internationally acclaimed nine-time Grammy and five-time AMA-winning group Earth, Wind & Fire.

Philly Fights Cancer: Round 3 was hosted by Mistress of Ceremonies Whoopi Goldberg. The veteran performer is a member of the elite EGOT club, conquering the screen and the stage. Her iconic performance in ‘The Color Purple’ garnered Goldberg her first Golden Globe, and she continues to captivate audiences as a member of The View, for which she received an Emmy for Outstanding Talk Show Host in 2009.

Philly Fights Cancer: Round 2

Lionel Richie, Jennifer Hudson, and Tig Notaro

Lionel Richie, a four-time Grammy and nine-time American Music Award winner, is no stranger to the stage. A pop icon for the past five decades, he was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2016—one of music’s highest honors.

Jennifer Hudson, an Academy Award-winning actress and Grammy Award-winning recording artist also performed. Hudson mesmerized guests as she began her performance among tables before making her way to the stage.

Comedian, writer, radio contributor and actress Tig Notaro opened the night and shared her experience as a cancer survivor. Tig’s comedy special, Live, was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Comedy Album in 2014, followed by an Emmy nomination in 2016 for her Netflix special: Boyish Girl Interrupted.

Philly Fights Cancer: Round 1

Carole King and Jim Gaffigan

Often credited as one of the most successful female songwriters of the 20th century, Philly Fights Cancer: Round 1 headliner Carole King has written and co-written 118 pop hits between 1955 and 1999 that made the Billboard 100. In addition to her pop hits, she is a seven-time Grammy award winner.

Comedian Jim Gaffigan, who entertained guests through the night at the inaugural Philly Fights Cancer event, has received an American Comedy Award for Best Concert Comic in 2014 and a Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Morning Program in 2016.

Ready to get in the ring? Show Jerry Seinfeld and Maroon 5 what you’ve got by becoming a sponsor for Philly Fights Cancer: Round 4 on Saturday, November 10^th. Contact sponsorship@Phillyfightscancer.org for more information.

June 3^rd is National Cancer Survivors Day, an annual, treasured celebration of life that is held in hundreds of communities nationwide on the first Sunday in June. This day provides an opportunity for America’s more than 15.5 million cancer survivors and their loved ones to connect with each other, celebrate milestones, and recognize those who have supported them along the way.

Philly Fights Cancer lives for the moments where patients fighting their battle become patients winning their battle. On National Cancer Survivor’s Day, we reflect on the personal journeys of those who have been touched by this disease, and those who have survived because of the life-saving clinical trials offered at the Abramson Cancer Center. Read below for a few of the remarkable stories of those treated at Abramson Cancer Center through groundbreaking immunotherapy treatments. For more survivor stories and to learn more about Abramson Cancer Center’s pioneering research, visit pennmedicine.org/cancer/about/patient-stories. 

Barbara Beaudry, Survivor of Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma

While a new CAR-T cell therapy developed at Penn Medicine’s Abramson Cancer Center might have saved Barbara Beaudry from non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, her deep faith—and love from and for her family—saved her long before. Read more about Barbara’s story here.

(Shared from Abramson Cancer Center)

Bill Ludwig, Survivor of Leukemia

Bill Ludwig was out of options. The retired New Jersey resident had gone through so many rounds of chemotherapy for his cancer that he’d lost count. A clinical trial at the National Institutes of Health had almost killed him. After nearly 10 years of battling leukemia, Bill couldn’t handle a bone marrow transplant. “I asked God every night to give me the strength to fight one more day. I didn’t ask him to cure me because there was no cure. So, I asked him for the strength to fight,” Bill says.

Then, Bill was given one more weapon in the battle. It was 2010, and his oncologist at Penn Medicine’s Abramson Cancer Center, Alison Loren, MD, was one of the investigators on a new clinical trial for patients with the same type of leukemia as Bill. Read the rest of Bill’s story here.

(Shared from Abramson Cancer Center)

Doug Olsen, Survivor of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

For 20 years, Doug Olson lived with an enemy determined to take his life: chronic lymphocytic leukemia, or CLL, a cancer that starts in the bone marrow. It causes white blood cells to grow out of control and prevents the immune system from protecting the body against illness or infection. With CLL, even a common cold can turn deadly. But Doug fought hard. He had a wonderful marriage, children, grandchildren and a passion for sailing. Onward was his attitude. Over 14 years, Doug endured four rounds of conventional chemotherapy to control his CLL. But the cancer was relentless and progressing. Then Penn sent in an army of T-cells. Read more about how Doug’s own body beat his cancer here.

(Shared from Abramson Cancer Center)

Direct Video Link: https://www.pennmedicine.org/cancer/about/patient-stories/cll-doug

On Monday, May 21st at 11:00am, Neiman Marcus King of Prussia hosted its annual fashion luncheon benefiting Philly Fights Cancer. The event began with a champagne reception on the third floor of Neiman Marcus, featuring a string quartet, a blooming flower wall photo booth, and a raffle where guests could enter to win one pair of designer shoes from Neiman Marcus every month for a year.

As guests took their seats, Dr. Jill Biden addressed the crowd from beside the runway to discuss her personal experiences with those in her life affected by cancer, and the importance of the research and clinical trials being conducted at the Abramson Cancer Center. STARR catering served a three-course lunch, which was followed by a fashion show by internationally acclaimed designer Naeem Khan, presented by his son Zaheen Khan. The show featured highlights in evening wear, including full cocktail and full-length beaded gowns, and concluded with a stunning new bridal gown.

100% of proceeds from the event and raffle tickets, and 10% of the sales from the fashion show by Naeem Khan, were donated to Philly Fights Cancer to benefit Abramson Cancer Center’s translational research and clinical trials.

On Thursday, June 14^th, Scarpetta Philadelphia will host the Philly Fights Cancer Young Friends for a fundraising event. From 6:00pm to 8:00pm, 50% of bar sales will be donated to the organization. The event will also feature a chef’s selection of complimentary bar snacks in Scarpetta’s lounge.

For more information or to attend the event, contact Steph Wolfson at stephwolfson@gmail.com or Paige Dietz at paige@evantinedesign.com.

Looking for a way to celebrate Mom and support a great cause?

On Friday, May 11^th and Saturday, May 12^th from 10:00am – 8:00pm, Evantine Design is hosting a Mother’s Day pop-up flower shop at Neiman Marcus King of Prussia. Pre-made bouquets & arrangements and orchid plants will be available, and shoppers can also make their own custom bouquets.

100% of the sales will benefit Philly Fights Cancer, and every purchase comes with a 25% off gift card for purchases in Evantine Design’s Walnut Street boutique, which are good until December 31, 2018.

Neiman Marcus

170 N Gulph Rd.

King of Prussia, PA  19406

610-962-6200

Evantine Design

715 Walnut Street

Philadelphia, PA 19106

215-790-2576

On Thursday, May 17^th from 7:00pm - 9:00pm, Rag & Bone Philadelphia will host an exclusive shopping event with the Young Friends of Philly Fights Cancer.

Attendees will enjoy complimentary beverages and light bites while browsing the new summer collection.

All purchases will be discounted 15%, with 15% of proceeds going directly to benefit Philly Fights Cancer.

Rag & Bone

1601 Walnut Street

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19102

For more information, click here.

Rad Girls is a celebration of spirited women who achieve, innovate, and inspire. The Rad Awards are an annual awards ceremony and party honoring local female leaders making waves in the fields of technology, media, culture, science and business.

This year, Philly Fights Cancer Young Friends co-chairs Stephanie Wolfson and Paige Dietz won “Connector of the Year,” a category that shines a light on women making an impact building communities and networks.

Stephanie and Paige work year-round to bring awareness to Philly Fights Cancer, in part by collaborating with local partners and companies to create Philly Fights Cancer Young Friends fundraising events.

Want to get involved? Join the Philly Fights Cancer Young Friends at a fundraising event with Rag and Bone on Thursday, May 17^th and check out Facebook and Instagram for the latest information.

On Monday, May 21^st at 11:00am, Neiman Marcus King of Prussia will host its annual fashion luncheon benefiting Philly Fights Cancer. The event will feature a fashion show by internationally acclaimed designer Naeem Khan, with host Dr. Jill Biden. Additionally, guests will enjoy a champagne reception, exclusive raffle and luncheon.

Visit nmkop.ticketleap.com/jillbidenpfc to purchase tickets.

Space is limited. Sponsorship opportunities are available. For more information, please call 610.962.6207.

Neiman Marcus 170 North Gulph Road King of Prussia, Pennsylvania 19406