MBI at FOX NEWS national broadcast!

Gold September — Childhood Cancer Awareness Month — opened with MBI’s founder in an interview with Bret Baier on September 1st.
MBI: Synergy and collaboration among the best researchers to solve the medulloblastoma puzzle












Thanks to our unique model, two trials were approved in record time – with a focus on sparing kids from toxic treatments and moving closer to a cure for the most common brain cancer in children
MBI: Synergy and collaboration among the best researchers.
Thanks to our unique model, two trials approved in record time – sparing kids from toxic treatments and moving closer to a cure for the most common brain cancer in children.

MBI: Synergy and collaboration among the best researchers.
Thanks to our unique model, two trials approved in record time – sparing kids from toxic treatments and moving closer to a cure for the most common brain cancer in children.

The
Medulloblastoma
Initiative
The Medulloblastoma Initiative (MBI) was established in 2021 to materialize the vision shared by Brazilian entrepreneur Fernando Goldsztein and Dr. Roger J. Packer, based at the Children’s National Hospital in Washington DC.. The MBI raises private resources that are channeled to the research on Group 4 medulloblastoma developed by the Cure Group 4 Consortium — which includes 16 laboratories installed in the US, Canada, and Germany. Medulloblastoma is the most common pediatric brain cancer. Nevertheless, the treatment protocol used today has not changed since the 1980s.
In addition to not curing a large proportion of the children affected by medulloblastoma, current treatments impose severe, life-lasting side effects to the children who survive. And this is why the MBI works to connect private donors to great scientists.
Join us — “whoever saves one life saves the world entire”.

MATCHPOINT:
Duane Mitchell, MD, PhD, co-director of the University of Florida’s Preston A. Wells Jr. Center for Brain Tumor Therapy, leads the MATCHPOINT trial. The therapy harnesses adoptive cell therapy (ACT), which programs a patient’s T cells (white blood cells critical to the body) to seek and destroy cancer cells. In a previous study (ReMATCH), Dr. Mitchell’s lab demonstrated ACT’s significant promise as a safe and effective treatment for relapsed medulloblastoma. One patient saw a nearly total elimination of widespread metastatic disease.
“The ultimate goal is we want to cure kids”
SCIENTIFIC INSTITUTIONS
INTEGRATING THE CONSORTIUM












IN THE MEDIA
International recognition marks an important milestone for the MBI. Fox News, through anchor Bret Baier — former chief White House and Pentagon correspondent — highlighted MBI’s mission to accelerate scientific discoveries and transform the lives of thousands of children.
The Medulloblastoma Initiative (MBI) was featured on the CNN Brasil website, in a report that highlights the impact of
our innovative model for accelerating science.
On June 7, we had the honor of seeing a letter from our founder published in The Washington Post, one of the most respected newspapers in the United States…
MBI has been highlighted by one of the most prestigious institutions in the world, MIT – Massachusetts Institute of Technology…
This month, the II Conexões de Valor will take place, this project that had its first edition in 2023 and was born from the inspiration of the PUCRS Alumnus…
Every year, about 25,000 children worldwide are diagnosed with medulloblastoma, the most common type of childhood brain cancer. It primarily affects children aged 4 to 9…
After receiving the news that his son had cancer, Brazilian businessman Fernando Goldsztein created an innovative research model and, in record time, secured approval…
In June 2024, VEJA magazine published the statement given by Fernando Goldsztein, Founder of The Medulloblastoma Initiative, to journalist Simone Blanes.
Journalist Kelly Matos, from Zero Hora—one of Brazil’s leading newspapers—wrote a heartfelt column about cancer cures and the work of MBI
“I intend to work for the rest of my life for pediatric cancer. I am sure that this group of scientists will find the cure for medulloblastoma…
Jennifer Griffin (Fox News) reports on Fernando Goldsztein and the Medulloblastoma Initiative’s efforts to fight the most common form of pediatric brain cancer
Created by a businessman from Rio Grande do Sul, MBI searches for funds to finance the research to combat medulloblasma. The global initiative raised USD 10 million in two years. In six months, the consortium of laboratories financed by the project has already made significant discoveries.
What is medulloblastoma? What are the late effects of treatment? Ana Lourenço addresses these topics and tells how MBI came about and its mission to find a cure for medulloblastoma. “We have to persevere and keep going. We can’t give up.” says Fernando Goldsztein, founder of the project.
The Medulloblastoma Initiative was created to save the son of entrepreneur Fernando Goldsztein and another 15,000 children every year.
Fernando Goldsztein, MBI founder, tells the reasons for creating the project and how it has grown exponentially since its foundation. “A parent’s heartfelt thought: children should be immune to cancer!”, he declares.
The columnist Daniel Scola talks about his experience at the 1st International Symposium on Pediatric Neuro-Oncology, reporting his experience as a survivor and commenting on the importance that initiatives such as MBI have in the development of new treatments.
On Father’s Day, journalist Cláudia Colucci and Folha de S.Paulo tell the story of MBI, which supports a consortium of laboratories seeking a cure for medulloblastoma — an initiative born from the experience of a father and a child facing this cancer.
O relato de Fernando Goldsztein sobre a MBI foi publicado na newsletter da MIT Sloan, a escola de negócios do prestigiado Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Não por acaso, a história da MBI entrou para a lista das 10 melhores histórias de ex-alunos da MIT Sloan Business School em 2022.
The research supported the MBI to find a cure of medulloblastoma, the most common brain cancer in children, will soon begin clinical trials. For this new stage, in the coming months, MBI will seek $7 million in private donations.
“My son’s illness changed my life,” says Fernando Goldsztein, MBI founder. He left an executive position at a large real estate company to support research aimed at finding a cure for medulloblastoma.
How did MBI start, and what difference can philanthropic donations make in advancing scientific research? “I never imagined the impact could be so significant,” the founder of MBI told Brazil Journal.
In 2021, Brazilian journalist Daniel Scola was diagnosed with medulloblastoma. “I was among those saved thanks to science,,” he wrote when reporting about the MBI, “an innovative project that will greatly contribute to health globally”.
Dr. Roger J. Packer
Pioneer in Pediatric Neuro-Oncology &
Scientific Leader of MBI
- He is a global reference in pediatric brain tumors and genetic neurological diseases.
- Professor at George Washington University and Clinical Professor at the University of Virginia.
- Director of the Brain Tumor Institute and Gilbert Neurofibromatosis Institute at Children’s National Hospital.
- Author of 400+ articles, advancing neuro-oncology and genetics with therapies and clinical trials.
- Principal Investigator in major consortia, award-winning researcher, bringing new treatments and hope to families facing medulloblastoma.
- Dr. Packer’s work is a ray of hope for thousands of children awaiting a cure for medulloblastoma.
Our Heroes of Hope
Dr. Duane Mitchell
Innovator in Brain Tumor Immunotherapy
- Dr. Duane Mitchell is a leading authority in personalized cellular therapies for brain tumors.
- Co-Director of the Preston A. Wells Jr. Center for Brain Tumor Therapy and Director of UF’s Clinical Translational Science Institute.
- Pioneer in immunotherapy, including adoptive cellular therapy that reprograms T cells to attack tumors.
- With over $40M in funding, 25+ patents, had multiple therapies advanced into clinical trials.
- Honored with major awards, including the Top 10 Clinical Research Achievement Award.
- Dr. Mitchell's work is a ray of hope for thousands of children awaiting a cure for medulloblastoma.
Our Heroes of Hope
Dr. Vijay Ramaswamy
Advancing Targeted Therapies for Pediatric Brain Tumors
- Pediatric brain tumor genomics expert; Neuro-Oncologist at SickKids Toronto and Scientist in Cancer Biology.
- Focused research on medulloblastoma and ependymoma, especially recurrent and high-risk cases.
- Uncovered PI3K pathway role in Group 4 medulloblastoma; Rapalink improved survival by 70% in preclinical models.
- Applies functional genomics and high-throughput screening to develop less toxic, more effective therapies.
- Trained at MSK and University of Toronto; advancing global medulloblastoma research and inspiring new collaborations.
Our Heroes of Hope
Dr. Robert Wechsler-Reya
Exploring how the immune system can help fight Group 4 tumors
- He helped solve one of the field's greatest challenges: the lack of lab models for studying Group 4 medulloblastoma.
- His work is driving new cell lines and preclinical models across the Cure Group 4 Consortium.
- In his lab, he uses CRISPR and drug screening technologies to boost the immune system's ability to fight tumors. His research paves the way for more precise, effective therapies for relapsed medulloblastoma.
- Co-author of a landmark Nature study in 2022, he continues to push the boundaries of discovery and global collaboration in childhood brain cancer.
Our Heroes of Hope
GOING ON AT MBI

MBI on CNN
The Medulloblastoma Initiative (MBI) was featured on the CNN Brasil website, in a report that highlights the impact of our innovative model for accelerating science. In just 30 months, we have raised more than $11 million, established

Race for Every Child 2025: join the MBI team – There’s No Time to Lose
On October 18, the Race for Every Child, organized by Children’s National Hospital in Washington, D.C., will take place. The event brings together thousands of people in a 5K run/walk — and you can join from anywhere

Fox News recognizes MBI’s contribution in the fight against medulloblastoma
International recognition marks an important milestone for the MBI. Fox News, through anchor Bret Baier — former chief White House and Pentagon correspondent — highlighted MBI’s mission to accelerate scientific discoveries and transform the lives of thousands