Back in 2016 just days after President Obama announced the “moonshot” to find a cancer cure during his State of The Union, President Joe Biden, then Vice President, visited Penn Medicine’s Abramson Cancer Center to kick off the national effort which in his words would aim to “accelerate the progress already underway” much of which was happening right at Penn.

In the five years since the “Moonshot” launch event, Abramson Cancer Center has worked with top scientists around the country to advance cancer prevention, diagnosis, and treatment making huge strides in developing tomorrow’s treatments and cures. Since the launch, the effort has led to many cancer breakthroughs and lead to major federal funding for cancer research. Some of which have included 1.8 billion in federal funding for cancer and also 13 new therapies based on work done just at Penn that have been approved by the FDA.

The American Cancer Society says there has been a record low number of cancer deaths in the past year and doctors credit much of that to innovations that have come directly from the “Moonshot” program started by President Biden in honor of his son Beau who sadly passed of brain cancer at age 46.

For more information on President Biden’s “Moonshot” initiative please visit https://www.cancer.gov/research/key-initiatives/moonshot-cancer-initiative.

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Start your holiday shopping at Addison Bay online on December 7th and December 8th using the code ‘PFC’ at checkout for 15% of your total purchase to be donated back to Philly Fights Cancer! As a thank you, Addison Bay will include an added surprise gift. Shop designer workout apparel for men and women, as well as bags, accessories, and even custom gear from the Addison Bay monogram shop.

12-year-old Daniel Dziadon and his friends designed and sold t-shirts in October to raise money for breast cancer awareness. The boys were asked to do something for the community as part of the National Junior Honor Society at the school they attend in South Philadelphia, but once the t-shirt sales took off, it was clear their efforts were more than just a school project. The boys raised $867 and will be donating the money to Philly Fights Cancer, with the goal of making an impact on breast cancer research. Daniel said breast cancer awareness is something that has always been important to him, as his aunt has battled the disease.

We are truly honored and would like to thank these inspiring young men for their contribution to Philly Fights Cancer's mission! These boys show that you’re never too young to fight for what you believe in and make a difference.

Barbara Netter is a visionary philanthropist who has made a profound impact on science and medicine. Together, with her late husband Edward, they founded the Alliance for Cancer Gene Therapy (ACGT), whose mission is to fund cell and gene therapy research to empower pioneering and innovative basic and translational scientists.

More than 15 years ago, ACGT supported Drs. Carl June, Bruce Levine, and David Porter at Penn whose breakthrough study of patients receiving engineered “CAR” T cells to attack and eliminate their cancer cells changed the world. This work led to the first-ever FDA-approved gene therapy to treat cancer and sparked the ImmunoRevolution in cancer. With the Netter’s generosity, Dr. Levine became the inaugural Barbara and Edward Netter Professor in Cancer Gene Therapy at the Perelman School of Medicine.

Mrs. Netter’s generosity continues at Penn’s Pancreatic Cancer Research Center where she empowers the center’s mission to translate scientific discovery into clinical trial options for patients with this disease – providing hope at all stages. As Mrs. Netter will note in her comments tonight, there has never been such a time of great hope and promise for patients with pancreatic cancer. Philly Fights Cancer honors her with pride.

Mrs. Netter is a graduate of New York University, worked at Pelham Family Services, Pelham, NY as a counselor and psychotherapist for twenty years before forming a private practice, attended the Family Institute of Westchester and received her M.S. from Iona College, New Rochelle, NY. Mrs. Netter is also well-recognized for her service to the community through civic and cultural institutions along the East Coast, including the Netter Center for Community Partnerships at Penn.

Philly Fights Cancer is proud to honor Mrs. Netter for her incredible philanthropy at Philly Fights Cancer: From Home on Saturday, October 24^th.

Join us for Philly Fights Cancer: From Home, a free event honoring Mrs. Barbara Netter on Saturday, October 24th at 7:00pm. Gather at home with friends and family for a virtual evening of speakers, entertainment, and fundraising – honoring the Pancreatic Cancer researchers at the Abramson Cancer Center. The evening will feature a comedic conversation between stand-up comedy superstar and actor Sebastian Maniscalco and moderated by Pat McGann, followed by a captivating musical performance by famed Jazz and Soul singer Jessy Kyle. This brief program is the perfect complement to a dine-in meal from some of our favorite regional restaurants.

For complete information including our entertainment and restaurant partners, please visit our event page here.

To join us the night of the event, visit www.PhillyFightsCancerFromHome.com
Password: pfc

To pre-register for our live fund appeal, visit: https://givergy.us/abramsoncancercenter

To add this event to your calendar, click here.

Founded in 2015, Philly Fights Cancer has raised over $39 million for research and clinical trials and Penn Medicine’s Abramson Cancer Center. Philly Fights Cancer’s largest fundraising event takes place annually, attracts over 2,000 guests, and has featured incredible talent including John Legend, Jerry Seinfeld, Maroon 5, Earth Wind & Fire, Carole King, Lionel Richie, and many more. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Philly Fights Cancer: Round 6 is being postponed until Saturday, October 30, 2021.

Can't attend but still want to support? Click here to donate to Philly Fights Cancer.

Research led by Adam. D. Cohen from Penn Medicine’s Abramson Cancer Center produced a new immunotherapy called Belantamab Mafodotin (Blenrep). The US Food & Drug Administration (FDA) established approval for this treatment on August 5, 2020 which will give adult patients who have relapsed or have refractory multiple myeloma another remedy. This marks the 11^th FDA-approved therapy from a member of the Abramson Cancer Center.

Due to the lack of treatment options for multiple myeloma patients, this new form has the potential to make a huge impact on patients’ lives. Blenrep works by targeting BCMA which is an original mark on the surface of myeloma cells. This must be a last resort for patients as they are required to have at least completed 4 prior lines of therapy including an anti-CD38 monoclonal antibody, a proteasome inhibitor, and an immunomodulatory agent.

Philly Fights Cancer is extremely proud to continue to fund vital research and clinical trials that make advances like these from Abramson Cancer Center possible. For more information on this new treatment visit the FDA or watch Penn’s Official Announcement.

Philly Fights Cancer is proud to provide financial assistance, awareness, and support to Penn Medicine. As we are not surprised, the Hospital of The University of Pennsylvania and the Penn Presbyterian Medical Center has once again been ranked as one of the top hospitals in the nation by U.S News & World Report.  This marks the fourteenth consecutive year that the Penn enterprise has been awarded such accolades.

With more than 4,500 hospitals analyzed worldwide, Penn Medicine is one of 20 institutions to be named to this year’s honor roll. In the magazine’s annual survey of 2020-2021, Penn was also ranked as the #1 hospital in Pennsylvania, and the #1 hospital in the Philadelphia-metro area.

Beyond these impressive achievements, Penn was nationally ranked in 12 specialties:

• Cancer
• Cardiology & Heart Surgery
• Diabetes & Endocrinology
• Ear, Nose, & Throat
• Gastroenterology & GI Surgery
• Geriatrics
• Gynecology
• Nephrology
• Neurology & Neurosurgery
• Orthopedics
• Pulmonology & Lung Surgery
• Urology

As the list goes on and on for their high performance, Philly Fights Cancer is overjoyed for this trusted organization.

To read more about Penn’s impressive reputation visit Penn Medicine.

Since 2015, Philly Fights Cancer has been devoted to advancing cancer research with the mission of finding a cure. This year, doctors, nurses, and medical researchers are faced with an unprecedented medical crisis, COVID-19. While Philly Fights Cancer has never stopped fighting for the next breakthrough in cancer research, we have made the decision to postpone Philly Fights Cancer: Round 6. Our dedication to cancer research isn’t cancelled, but our evening together at the Navy Yard originally scheduled for Saturday, October 24th is being postponed until Saturday, October 30, 2021. We have come so far as a city and a community to quell the spread of COVID-19, in accordance with CDC guidelines we will continue in doing our part to keep Philadelphia healthy, distanced and safe. Please continue to follow us on Facebook and Instagram for exciting updates.

As the world is still unsure how COVID-19 directly affects cancer patients, studies are underway and actively collecting data to ensure the safety of all patients and survivors. From what we do know, cancer patients might be at an increased risk of serious illness from an infection, as their immune systems have been compromised due to the cancer itself, and other treatments. According to Penn Medicine’s  Eleanor Miller, MSN, RN, OCN, “Having a weakened immune system makes it harder to fight off diseases”. All cancer patients and survivors should consult with their doctor to discuss this current pandemic and how to properly stay safe.

With states lifting stay-at-home orders and allowing businesses to reopen, health officials continue to emphasize the importance of staying home, social distancing, and wearing a face mask while out in public. Please stay cautious during this time, as numbers of COVID cases across the country are still increasing. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) people who are at a higher risk with underlying medical conditions need to understand, “the more people you interact with, the more closely you interact with them, the higher your risk of getting and spreading COVID-19”. With that being said,

If you decide it is time to go out in the public, make sure to follow these steps:

• Keep tissues, a face mask, and hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol with you
• Avoid anyone who is not wearing a mask
• Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds before and after every outing
• Stay healthy with physical activity and coping through stressful situations
• Continue following your treatment plan, whether that means scheduling virtual appointments or taking the time to consult with your doctors to ensure you still have access to the right medications.

This pandemic has caused a lot of panic due to the inconsistencies and lack of information. However, it is crucial for those who do have a higher risk of illness to take these necessary steps to stay happy, healthy, and on the road to recovery.

For more information on how to stay healthy and take the necessary precautions with your treatments, visit: https://www.pennmedicine.org/cancer/about/focus-on-cancer/2020/june/cancer-and-covid.

The Abramson Cancer Center along with Philly Fights Cancer is pleased to announce that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Cerianna (Fluroestradiol F18) for injection purposes. Fluroestradiol F18 is the first FDA-approved PET imaging agent used for patients with metastatic breast cancer. This will help with the detection of estrogen receptors (ER)-positive lesions in the imaging process instead of having to perform biopsies.

We are Penn Proud about this FDA approval which was made possible through many years of effort, and determination in academia and the National Cancer Institute (NCI).  This new injection would not be possible without the groundbreaking contributions of Abramson Cancer Center members and Radiology faculty. Thank you, David Mankoff, MD, PhD, Erin Schubert, Angela DeMichele, MD, MSCE, Lewis Chodosh, MD, PhD, Amy Clark, MD, MSCE, Robert Mach, PhD, and Sharon Lee, PhD.

This is the 10th FDA approval for cancer based on studies led or co-led by members of the ACC since 2017.