The Medulloblastoma
Initiative
Q&A about MBI
1. What is the Medulloblastoma Initiative (MBI)?
The MBI is an international non profit initiative founded by Fernando Goldsztein after his son was diagnosed with medulloblastoma – the most common malignant brain tumor in children.
Shocked by the outdated and toxic treatments still used today, Fernando decided to act. Born in Brazil, the MBI’s mission is to accelerate science and save lives by funding cutting-edge, collaborative research focused on finding more effective and less harmful cures for this devastating disease.
2. Why does medulloblastoma need urgent attention?
Despite its prevalence as the most common pediatric brain cancer, medulloblastoma remains severely underfunded and under-researched. Children are being treated with protocols developed decades ago, leaving many with long-term cognitive, physical, and emotional consequences.
Worse still, for children who relapse, there are often no viable treatment options. The urgency is real: we are racing against time to bring hope to families who currently hear the words “there’s nothing more we can do”.
3. What has the MBI achieved so far?
- Raised $10.5 million in under four years.
- Established a global research network involving 16 leading labs across the U.S., Canada, and Germany.
- Achieved FDA approval for two clinical trials in record time, including one using cutting-edge mRNA technology.
- Built a collaborative platform that unites the world’s top scientists against medulloblastoma.
- Created a unique embedded team inside the Children’s National Hospital Foundation to drive awareness and fundraising in the U.S.
4. Why is MBI's model different - and more effective?
MBI rejects the traditional model of scattered, uncoordinated grants that often result in duplication, inefficiency, and slow progress. Instead, we use a streamlined and integrated structure:
- No silos. No duplicated work. All discoveries are openly shared.
- 100% of funds go to research. There is no overhead or administrative cost.
- Each lab has a clearly defined role, contributing to a larger, unified strategy.
We know science requires rigor and cannot skip steps-but we can and must cut through unnecessary red tape to move faster. The sense of urgency is real.
Unlike many initiatives created in memory of someone lost, MBI was founded to save a child still in treatment-and thousands more who face the same battle. We cannot afford to wait.
5. Why is donating to MBI different from donating elsewhere?
MBI is not just funding research – it’s transforming how research is done. Our approach has already received recognition from some of the most respected voices in medicine:
- The MBI was featured in a Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) article as a pioneering model in biomedical funding.
- Dr. Clifford Hudis, CEO of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), stated that MBI may help shape the future of research in other underserved diseases.
Your support isn’t just helping cure medulloblastoma – it’s helping set a new standard for how the world approaches pediatric cancer.
6. What does MBI do with the donations?
Every donation to MBI drives real progress and helps save lives. All resources go directly toward funding research.
Operational costs are minimal and covered by MBI’s founding donor.
We ensure full transparency, provide regular updates, and guarantee that every dollar supports science — with no administrative deductions.
7. How can I contribute or get involved?
In addition to financial support, there are many powerful ways to help MBI succeed:
- Introduce us to potential donors, companies, or foundations aligned with our mission.
- Provide media access or connect us with influential voices to amplify our message.
- Support advocacy efforts that can influence health policy and research funding.
- Connect us with events related to pediatric health, cancer research, or social impact where we can present the initiative.
- Organize or attend small private gatherings (petit comités) where we can present the initiative to strategic allies.
- Follow us on social media and share our mission with your network.
Every action, connection, and conversation can help save lives.