Inspired by Patient Care, $1 Million Gift Fuels Brain Cancer Research at UC San Diego

Story by:

• Alice Pham

Media contact:

• Jade Griffin- [email protected]

Topics covered:

• Philanthropy and Giving
• Cancer
• Medical Research

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The University of California San Diego has received a $1 million donation from the Anders Foundation to accelerate brain cancer research and improve treatment options for patients facing some of the most challenging forms of the disease. The gift - made through the foundation via Valerie Anders, and in partnership with Gayle and Carl Nuffer - was inspired by the family's personal care experience at UC San Diego Health.

In September 2024, Carl Nuffer was diagnosed with glioblastoma, a fast-growing and aggressive brain cancer. Just days later, he underwent surgery, followed by radiation and participation in a clinical trial.

After a period of recovery, Nuffer experienced a recurrence and underwent a second surgery incorporating GammaTile therapy. Nuffer has resolved to face the diagnosis with courage, strength and resilience, values that also motivated the family's investment in advancing brain cancer research for other patients facing the disease.

"Very few people, in the challenging moments of a cancer diagnosis, immediately think of how to help others facing similar circumstances. Carl is that rare, inspiring individual pushing us for better answers for this unrelenting illness. It's the courage of patients like him that will ultimately deliver the answer," said Alexander A. Khalessi, M.D., chair of the Department of Neurological Surgery, professor of Neurological Surgery, Radiology and Neurosciences, and the Don and Karen Cohn Chancellor's Endowed Chair in Neurosurgery.

Grateful for his medical care, Nuffer said: "I feel very confident that the exceptional medical care that I have received at UC San Diego's Department of Neurological Surgery and Department of Clinical Neuro-Oncology has extended my life since I was diagnosed with glioblastoma. My family and I are so grateful for the unparalleled skills and expertise of the surgeons, radiologists, oncologists, researchers, technicians and nurses we have encountered there."

A portion of the Anders Family Brain Cancer Research Fund was designated to establish an endowment, which will remain in perpetuity to support brain cancer research. In addition, a part of the gift was also designated to be immediately expendable, with the goal of expediting innovative research within the Department of Neurological Surgery and strengthening the Neurological Surgery Patient Tissue Bank, an essential resource for advancing the understanding and treatment of brain tumors.

"Living with glioblastoma has been a very difficult road to travel, but it brings me solace knowing that the research coming out of the Neurological Surgery Patient Tissue Bank is getting us closer to finding a cure for this pernicious and still incurable disease," said Nuffer.

By expanding the Patient Tissue Bank's capabilities, researchers will be able to collect, store and analyze patient-derived samples at greater depth and scale, enabling the identification of biological patterns and disease pathways that inform clinical decision-making. These insights are critical to improving how brain tumors are diagnosed, monitored and treated over time.

According to the Anders Foundation, the gift was designated to further advance and highlight the essential and high-level glioblastoma research at UC San Diego, as well as encourage others to follow suit, and ultimately contribute to this critical and developing area of medical research.

The fund will also support research initiatives advancing precision medicine approaches, including studies of treatment response, comprehensive molecular profiling to personalize therapy and the application of artificial intelligence to detect trends that can guide more effective care. Together, these efforts move the field toward more individualized, biology-driven treatments, offering renewed hope to patients and families facing brain cancer.

"UC San Diego brings cross-disciplinary experts - from surgery and neuro-oncology to imaging and data science - with the goal of delivering the best possible care for our patients," said Khalessi. "The Anders and Nuffer family is providing new resources to pursue research, expand access to targeted therapies and accelerate the translation of scientific discoveries into clinical practice, which could help countless patients."