October 22, 1999

Jason Silber, right, presents Loeffler a check for $75,000 for the Spine Tumor Clinic at the MGH. The funds were raised from the second annual Brian D. Silber Golf Tournament that took place in July.

Before Brian Silber died in 1996 at the age of 28, after a three-year battle with spinal cord cancer, he told his family that he wanted to help others who suffered from this rare type of tumor. Silber's wish became a reality Oct. 1 with the dedication of the Spine Tumor Clinic at the MGH, established in his memory.

The dedication, held in the MGH Cancer Center on Cox 1, was attended by Brian's parents, Sharon and Jason Silber, his sister, Karen, and other family members and friends. Jay Loeffler, MD, Brian's physician and a radiation oncologist at the MGH, has worked closely with the Silber family to create the Brian D. Silber Memorial Fund that made the Spine Tumor Clinic possible.

According to Loeffler, the clinic, which is located in the MGH Brain Tumor Center, is believed to be the first multidisciplinary clinic in the United States specifically dedicated to the care of patients with spine tumors. Researchers at the clinic also are investigating the cause of such tumors and possible new treatments.

"Before Brian died, he asked me why doctors didn't know more about this disease," said Loeffler. "I didn't have an answer at the time, but with this new clinic, our goal is to do just that – find some answers."

John Henson, MD, executive director of the MGH Brain Tumor Center, announced some of the progress the clinic has made in its beginning stage. A nurse practitioner recently was hired to work specifically with the spine tumor patients who are already being cared for in the clinic. In addition, the MGH plans to host a spine tumor conference in the year 2000 for physicians and researchers around the country. The journal Neurology has accepted for publication a manuscript about chemotherapy of spine tumors that was written by Henson and colleagues. A website about the Spine Tumor Clinic also has been established and can be found on the MGH homepage at brain.mgh.harvard.edu/spinetumorcenter

"Dr. Loeffler always expressed kindness to Brian, and now he has made Brian's dream a reality by establishing this clinic," said Sharon Silber. "Patients now have a place to take comfort that they are not alone, and physicians can gather data in a structured way. For us, the clinic is a living memorial to Brian. His spirit continues to shine for others, and his dream is fulfilled."