Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie donates $50M to create autism institute in partnership with Penn and CHOP
PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie is making a major contribution to autism research in Philadelphia.
He is donating $50 million to create a new institute that will help change lives.
The donation will establish the Lurie Autism Institute, a partnership between Penn Medicine and Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.
The gift, from the Lurie family, is the largest single donation to U.S. academic medical centers focused on autism research.
"For 70 years my family has been challenged by presence of autism. Our brother has been an inspiration and kind soul to all of us," said Lurie during a news conference on Tuesday.
One in 31 children lives with autism spectrum disorder.
Connecting scientists, clinicians, families, students, and donors, this first-of-its-kind center will explore autism from all angles.
"I can't say when the breakthrough will happen. Tomorrow, in a week, 20 years from now but it's going to happen," said Kevin Mahoney, CEO of Penn Medicine.
The prevalent disorder is only growing and the need for research and treatment continues to expand.
"Early diagnosis & treatment is really critical for these children," says Madeline Bell, CEO of CHOP.
"Really understanding what are the factors during pregnancy that impact risk of autism," says Dr. Dan Rader the Interim Director of the Lurie Autism Institute. "One major emphasis of this institute will be to also emphasize the adults. That large number of adults, many of whom have autism but have never been diagnosed."
Lurie spoke exclusively about this mission on Good Morning America.
"Incredible breakthroughs in neuroscience, genetics, artificial intelligence, opened up all sorts of possibilities," Lurie said.
The goal is to understand genetics and biology surrounding the disorder, research neuroscience, explore speech and language processing and prepare and launch clinical trials.
"Try to speed along solutions and, really, an opportunity to move along with progress in autism science," Lurie said.
The Lurie family has been philanthropists in the field since 1977, with the Nancy Lurie Marks Family Foundation helping those with autism to lead full lives.
The Eagles Autism Foundation has raised $30 million throughout its lifespan for families with ASD, with the Autism Challenge and leading the way for sensory-friendly rooms in NFL stadiums.
