Mission in Action

Doris Taxin turned tragedy into action, making it her life’s mission to fund cancer research.

IN 1992, Albert Taxin — a well-known Philadelphia-area native and restaurateur who ran one of the city’s most prominent restaurants, Old Original Bookbinders — was diagnosed with an incurable and inoperable brain tumor. Less than 15 months later, after multiple attempts at treatment, Albert succumbed to the highly invasive and rapidly migrating tumor, known as glioblastoma multiforme. He was 53 years old.

Albert’s wife, Doris Taxin, immediately made it her life’s mission to do whatever was necessary to help ensure others would not be afflicted with the disease. In 1993, she joined The Wistar Institute’s Board of Trustees and began work on establishing a fund that would help support research on glioblastoma and other brain cancers. That effort turned into what was one of the Institute’s most successful fundraising events, raising $690,000 during an evening reception to establish the Albert R. Taxin Brain Tumor Research Fund.

Over the years, Doris continued to contribute to brain cancer research efforts at Wistar, including serving as the secretary of the Board of Trustees and establishing an annual Golf Tournament to benefit the Taxin Research Fund. Thanks to her efforts, the Fund received more than $6 million in charitable gifts since its inception and has enabled Wistar to recruit expert scientists in this field and pursue innovative research in the search to uncover new methods to diagnose, treat, and cure brain cancer.

Doris passed away on January 31, 2024 at the age of 79. The Wistar Institute is forever indebted to Doris for her personal philanthropy, spirit of volunteerism, and determination in helping us further the research into therapies that could treat this deadly form of cancer so that one day, families like the Taxins won’t experience a loss like theirs.

“Wistar held a very special place in my mother’s heart. She believed wholeheartedly in all the work Wistar is doing to alleviate the challenges of brain tumors.”
– Erica Taxin, daughter of Doris Taxin.