Stephen J. Solarz, a former member of Congress, received treatment for esophageal cancer at the National Cancer Institute (NCI) that added years to his life.  His family and friends have established the Stephen J. Solarz Memorial Fund to support research at NCI and to provide other patients with the blessing of life. 

Congressman Solarz was treated by a phenomenal team of doctors and nurses at NCI led by Dr. David Schrump.  Dr. Schrump’s pioneering research in the field of thoracic oncology led to the treatments that allowed Steve to live years beyond what otherwise would have been possible.  Before he died, Steve and his wife Nina dedicated themselves to supporting Dr. Schrump’s research so that even better treatments may be available to other patients.  The Solarz Fund will launch research in support of the development of a cancer vaccine.  Dr. Schrump uses molecular biological techniques to manipulate DNA in cells taken from a patient’s tumor to produce molecules that will stimulate the patient’s immune system to kill cancer cells.  Thus, a vaccine has been created from a patient’s own tumor cells.  The Solarz Fund will help to cover costs of tissue culture and molecular biology reagents required to optimize vaccine production. 

The Stephen J. Solarz Memorial Fund is administered by the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health, which is authorized by Congress to raise private funds in support of the mission and work of NIH.  Steve said that the NIH was the “jewel in the crown of the Federal government,” because it serves the people of the United States and the world by conducting creative and disciplined scientific research and treating patients in ways that enhance health, lengthen life, and reduce the burdens of illness and disability.

Support research at the National Cancer Institute by donating to the Stephen J. Solarz Memorial Fund