The Brian D. Silber Memorial Fund
Supporting the
Brian D. Silber Spine Tumor Clinic
in the Brain Tumor Center at MGH

Brian's Story - It started off as an ordinary jog – Brian Silber was running his favorite course on  an early spring day in 1993. However, the back pain that followed was anything but ordinary. A year later Brian was diagnosed with a malignant spinal cord tumor. After treatments including surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy, Brian died in 1996, when he was just 28 years old.

Brian was an outstanding young man whose intelligence and warmth touched all who knew him. He graduated with honors from Tufts University where he majored in economics. He was an accomplished athlete who played baseball, basketball, and tennis. As a young adult Brian achieved great success in his career as a sales executive, where he was viewed as a rising professional.  In spite of his many gifts, Brian remained modest and humble and always reached out to help other people. Even during his illness he would awaken at five o’clock in the morning to serve breakfast to homeless families. Most importantly, Brian showed tremendous caring and kindness to all, whether they were close friends and family or casual acquaintances. Throughout his life, Brian made a difference in the lives of others.

When it became clear that he wouldn’t beat his cancer, Brian remained true to character and requested that a fund be established to support research on spinal tumors and to improve the outcome for spine tumor patients. Spinal cord tumors are so rare that little direct study has been undertaken, and they are typically treated according to principles used to combat brain tumors. Brian was frustrated by this, and it was Brian’s hope that monies raised would help to change this for the better. Brian’s family established The Brian D. Silber Memorial Fund at Massachusetts General Hospital to make Brian’s dream become a reality. In 1996, the Brain D. Silber Memorial Fund was founded to raise funds for research on spinal cord tumors, for support of a clinical center for persons with spine tumors, and for education of physicians, patients and families - through grants to major non-profit hospitals and medical research organizations. The Fund also provides support to patients and their families in dealing with the disease. The Fund is dedicated to the ultimate goal of finding a cure for spine tumors.With the 1999 opening of the Brian D. Silber Spine Tumor Clinic, it is clear that Brian’s Fund is making a difference. The Fund serves a source of support for the operation of this unique patient care and research clinic. Brian’s family feels that it is a tribute to Brian to sustain his memory in such a meaningful and vitally important way.As for February 2008, the Brian D. Silber Memorial Fund has granted $1,100,000 to the Massachusetts General Hospital to support the following:

Establishment and operation of the Brian D. Silber Spine Tumor Clinic at MGH Establishment of named laboratory in memory of Brian D. Silber at MGH Research on astrocytomas in the laboratory of Dr. Arnab Chakravarti, Director, Molecular and Cellular Radiation Neuro-Oncology Laboratory, MGH Research on spinal tumors in the laboratory of Dr. Scott Plotkin, Director, Neurofibromatosis Clinic, MGH Initiation of international clinical trials Purchase of a new AGFA Imaging Center, one of the most advanced systems available for viewing spinal images Purchase of a Digitimer Cortical Stimulator, the most advanced device available for monitoring during spinal surgery Five Brain D. Silber Lectureships featuring Dr. Fred Epstein, Dr. Darell Bigner, Dr. Michael C.V. Jensen, Dr. Roy Patchell and Dr. J. Gregory Cairncross Publication of more than 20 scientific articles written by members of the Spine Tumor Clinic Establishment of a web site: http://spinetumorcenter.mgh.harvard.edu Preparation and distribution of Spine Tumor Center brochure to New England physicians