Working together we can truly make a difference in the lives of spinal tumor patients and their families.
In 1996, the Brian D. Silber Memorial Fund was founded to fund research on spinal cord tumors, to support clinical centers for spinal tumor patients, and to educate physicians, patients, and families — through grants to major non-profit hospitals and medical research organizations.
Brian's Fund is dedicated to the ultimate goal of finding a cure for spinal tumors, providing seed money that makes early-stage research possible.
Brian's Fund also provides assistance to patients and their families in dealing with the disease, and supports clinical centers for their care.
Through lectures and symposia, the fund educates physicians, patients, and families and advances understanding of spinal tumors.
Brian's Fund raises money through our major fundraiser — the annual Brian D. Silber Memorial Golf Tournament — additional online and in-person fundraisers, and year-round donations. Through annual grants, Brian's Fund has donated over $2.5 million to Massachusetts General Hospital, where it established and continues to support the Brian D. Silber Spine Tumor Clinic — the first of its kind in treating patients with spinal tumors, supporting research, and promoting education.
A spinal tumor is an abnormal growth that occurs within or surrounding the spinal cord and/or spinal column. Tumors that start in the spine are called primary spinal tumors; those that spread to the spine from elsewhere are secondary (metastatic). They can be benign or malignant.
Occur within the spinal cord itself.
Within the spinal cord covering (dura) but outside the spinal cord.
Vertebral column tumors that usually involve cartilage and bone.
Spinal tumors are often treated with surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and proton therapy. Research and clinical trials are critical to understanding these tumors and how best to treat them.
The Brian D. Silber Memorial Fund is a 501(c)(3) charity organization. Tax ID #04-3438653. Our Golf Tournament Committee and many dedicated volunteers make our work possible each year.
The 100 is an annual event organized by the Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center to recognize those who offer hope to the cancer community. At the inaugural “the 100” event in 2008, the Silber family was one of the one hundred honorees.
Read the story
The Boston Celtics recognized Brian’s Fund for positively affecting the lives of others.
Awarded to Brian’s mother Sharon Silber – as a co-founder of the Brian D. Silber Memorial Fund.
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Brian’s Fund is a member of the MGH Phillips Society for establishing an endowed fund in Brian’s name at MGH.
About the society
In 2011, in celebration of MGH’s bicentennial anniversary, the hospital erected a donor wall to acknowledge those benefactors who significantly supported the hospital in its first 200 years. The Brian D. Silber Memorial Fund is permanently featured on the Visionary Donor Wall.
Your support funds the research, care, and education that change outcomes for spinal tumor patients.
