Mission

The Brain Science Foundation works to find a cure for primary brain tumors by advancing the understanding of brain function and patient care. The foundation supports cutting-edge research in all areas related to primary brain tumors, from developing and testing new treatments, epidemiological studies, improvements in patient care, and basic research.

Goals
To accomplish its mission, the Brain Science Foundation follows three pillars of action:

  • Invest: fill financial gaps that may delay or derail promising research or that may prevent patients from receiving the highest quality of care.
  • Learn: build a body of information about the brain and brain tumors that can be shared widely with scientists, doctors, patients, and donors.
  • Inspire: encourage donors of all types (individual, corporate, and foundation) to support work that advances knowledge and clinical practice about the brain and brain tumors.
Objectives
  • Develop a strong, integrated body of research concerning the cause of primary brain tumors, the early identification of these tumors, and their epidemiology and treatment;
  • Support improvements in the kinds and quality of treatment of primary brain tumors; Enhance the quality and amount of information available concerning primary brain tumors;
  • Support educational initiatives for investigators and researchers who are committed to brain tumor research; Advocate for increased funding targeted specifically to primary brain tumors, especially noncancerous tumors.
History
Common Locations
Dr. Alexandra Golby describes her surgical brain mapping technique that leads to safer brain tumor treatment.

Steven R. Haley and his wife, Kathleen Haley, established the Brain Science Foundation in 2002 following Steven’s treatment for meningioma in 1997. Steven Haley, who has served in senior management positions in the high-technology industry for the last 30 years, runs his own diversified asset-management company and serves on the boards of several private companies and charitable organizations.

When he was diagnosed, Steven Haley became frustrated by the fragmented nature of the information sources available to him and his family. He learned that there were limited resources available to advance research and treatment that could improve the rate of curing primary brain tumors, and even better, prevent them all together.

Mr. Haley believed there were many dedicated professionals in the field, but that their work was under-funded. He thought research and treatment could be further accelerated with more purposefully managed financial support that places very high requirements for performance, timetables, and results upon scientists and doctors. The Brain Science Foundation was established with an initial gift of $5 million to support research led by Peter Black, M.D., Ph.D., Chairman of Neurosurgery at the Brigham & Women’s and Children’s hospitals.