At Penn, researchers make breakthroughs that change the world.
Bold Breakthroughs, Boundless Opportunity
Two recent gifts are paving the way for the next lifesaving advances generated at Penn
Fall/Winter 2022
The mRNA technology that led to the COVID-19 vaccines was developed in Penn research labs, and CAR-T immunotherapy has sparked a revolution in how we fight cancer and other diseases. Every day, brilliant Penn scientists and practitioners search for solutions to today’s most urgent problems, and impactful philanthropy is giving them the tools they need to explore new frontiers in science and health care.
The Colton Center for Autoimmunity at Penn Medicine
A $50 million gift from Stewart, W’62, and Judy Colton will endow the Colton Center for Autoimmunity at Penn Medicine, which was established last year with an initial $10 million gift from the Coltons. More than 23 million Americans suffer from autoimmune conditions such as lupus, multiple sclerosis, and rheumatoid arthritis. The Colton Center’s mission is to serve as a research hub that increases our understanding of autoimmune diseases, contributes to the Colton Consortium at NYU, Yale, and Tel Aviv University, and helps to develop new therapies for autoimmune disorders.
The Basser Cancer Interception Institute at Penn Medicine
A $55 million gift from Mindy, C’92, and Jon Gray, C’92, W’92, will create the Basser Cancer Interception Institute at Penn Medicine. The Basser Center for BRCA is the first comprehensive center for the research, treatment, and prevention of BRCA-related cancers. The new institute is built around a revolutionary approach to cancer prevention: interception. Scientists and researchers will focus on developing methods to intercept abnormal cells and eliminate them before they become cancer. These bold new methods have broad impact and boundless potential to stop cancer before it takes hold—and it all starts at Penn.
