Philanthropy and Personalized Medicine - Abramson Cancer Center's Partners in Hope
“Meeting the doctors and scientists focused on solving the mysteries of cancer has been incredibly inspiring and humbling. My wife and I are already proud Penn alumni, and couldn’t be more pleased to support the university that we both love, and the important work at Penn’s Abramson Cancer Center that has the potential to change the world.” – Jeff Levitt, W’71, Partner in Hope, Chairman and Founder of Precyse Solutions, LLC
In October 2011, Jeff Levitt came to the Abramson Cancer Center to participate in a very special program - Abundant Treasures and Miraculous Discoveries: Solving the Mysteries of Cancer. Jeff is a member of the Philadelphia chapter of the World Presidents’ Organization (WPO) that partners each year with Penn Medicine to host a program highlighting innovative research and care initiatives. With deep connections to Penn and cancer, it was no mystery that Jeff would find himself attending this program. Jeff and his wife Susan Mazer Levitt attended Penn, both graduating in the Class of 1971, continuing a tradition set by Susan’s father. Their daughter, Kate, is also a proud Penn alumna of the Class of 2002. And Jeff is the Chairman and Founder of Precyse Solutions LLC, a company that is involved in, amongst other things, the gathering and abstracting of clinical data for cancer programs across the country.
Jeff was impressed with the passion and vision of top scientific and clinical faculty as they shared their advances in novel treatments for breast, melanoma, lung, and pancreatic cancers – never shying away from challenging diseases. He knew right away that he wanted to help support their efforts and after hearing from Dr. David Roth, Chair of Penn’s new Center for Personalized Diagnostics (CPD), he settled on a project to be a part of.
“Personalized medicine is today’s science,” says Roth. “Every day I come to work thinking that today might be the day that we discover the genetic breakthrough we’re looking for to cure cancer. Philanthropy helps drive forward our discoveries at an even faster pace, and gives us the resources to explore so many different promising areas of personalized, effective cancer care.”
With the help of Dr. Roth and others, Penn has the infrastructure to analyze a cancer patient’s tumor for the gene, protein or molecule that makes it different. It is the gathering of this information that will allow doctors to understand fully what will help one patient versus another, improving not only outcomes, but also quality of life. For the researchers, scientists and clinical staff at Penn Medicine, it’s personal.
For the Levitts, it’s personal too. Jeff and Susan decided to give both their money and their time to help make a difference at the Abramson Cancer Center. As members of the Abramson Cancer Center Director’s Leadership Council, they are active volunteers and advocates. “We support a multitude of worthy organizations, but it’s been particularly fulfilling to give to Abramson,” shares Susan. Jeff continues, “It’s hard to calculate our return on investment for being part of an institution making such a profound difference in Philadelphia, especially when we read the stories of hope that they provide to so many people suffering from cancer in Philadelphia and around the world."
Make a gift to the Abramson Cancer Center here, or contact Evelyn Schwartz at evelynsz@upenn.edu or (215) 898-8625.
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| Susan and Jeff Levitt, class of '71 |
Jeff was impressed with the passion and vision of top scientific and clinical faculty as they shared their advances in novel treatments for breast, melanoma, lung, and pancreatic cancers – never shying away from challenging diseases. He knew right away that he wanted to help support their efforts and after hearing from Dr. David Roth, Chair of Penn’s new Center for Personalized Diagnostics (CPD), he settled on a project to be a part of.
“Personalized medicine is today’s science,” says Roth. “Every day I come to work thinking that today might be the day that we discover the genetic breakthrough we’re looking for to cure cancer. Philanthropy helps drive forward our discoveries at an even faster pace, and gives us the resources to explore so many different promising areas of personalized, effective cancer care.”
With the help of Dr. Roth and others, Penn has the infrastructure to analyze a cancer patient’s tumor for the gene, protein or molecule that makes it different. It is the gathering of this information that will allow doctors to understand fully what will help one patient versus another, improving not only outcomes, but also quality of life. For the researchers, scientists and clinical staff at Penn Medicine, it’s personal.
For the Levitts, it’s personal too. Jeff and Susan decided to give both their money and their time to help make a difference at the Abramson Cancer Center. As members of the Abramson Cancer Center Director’s Leadership Council, they are active volunteers and advocates. “We support a multitude of worthy organizations, but it’s been particularly fulfilling to give to Abramson,” shares Susan. Jeff continues, “It’s hard to calculate our return on investment for being part of an institution making such a profound difference in Philadelphia, especially when we read the stories of hope that they provide to so many people suffering from cancer in Philadelphia and around the world."
Support the Abramson Cancer Center
Penn’s Abramson Cancer Center is a place of healing and inspiration – through innovative research and compassionate care, charitable donations provide hope to patients and families.Make a gift to the Abramson Cancer Center here, or contact Evelyn Schwartz at evelynsz@upenn.edu or (215) 898-8625.
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