With a transformative $10 million gift from Cynthia King, the late Jeffery King, and Jason and Julie Borrelli, Penn Medicine has launched the King Center for Lynch Syndrome-the first named center for Lynch syndrome in the world-at the Abramson Cancer Center of the University of Pennsylvania. The King Center will advance research, outreach, education, and patient care for Lynch syndrome, a hereditary condition that affects approximately 1 in 279 individuals, equating to about 1.2 million Americans, and increases the risk of developing certain cancers, including colorectal cancer and endometrial (uterine) cancer.
The gift builds on past philanthropic investments from the King family to increase education and outreach, as the number of individuals with Lynch syndrome receiving care at Penn Medicine has nearly tripled over the last six years. Nearly 1,000 individuals-including many who travel from outside the Philadelphia area and throughout the Northeast-now receive their expert Lynch syndrome care at Penn Medicine.
"Although Lynch syndrome is one of the most common genetic causes of cancer, most people do not know what Lynch syndrome is, and many people living with Lynch syndrome do not know they have it," said Bryson Katona, MD, PhD, co-founder and the inaugural executive director of the King Center for Lynch Syndrome. "With this impactful support from the King and Borrelli families, we will extend Penn Medicine's leadership in addressing the needs of the Lynch syndrome community including more cutting-edge research, life-long comprehensive care, and increased awareness."
