A 501(c)(3) public charity · Est. 2004

This started at a kitchen table. It ends with a cure.

Searching for better understanding, treatments, and cures for Chiari malformation (CM), syringomyelia (SM), neuropathic pain, spinal cord injury and related conditions. Since 2004, Column of Hope (COH) has raised over $1 million for research — one gala, one gift, one neighbor at a time.

Donate to the research Read our story

years funding CM / SM research

$1M+

raised for research

Mark Kane, Laura Kane-Punyon, Dr. Renée Reynolds, Dr. Marcus Stoodley

Right Now, in the Lab

Research update

Dr. Marcus Stoodley's team at Macquarie University and Neuroscience Research Australia is defining the technical outcomes for successful Chiari surgery — continuing a research partnership that began in 2007.

The Research

22 years of funded science, and counting.

Since 2007, we have backed Dr. Stoodley's lab through grant after grant. We believe he has the deepest body of evidence anywhere of how syringomyelia works. We believe our Chiari malformation research is among the world's leaders.

48published, peer-reviewed studies

AU$729,270NHMRC grant secured over four years

Patient Education

Understand the conditions we are fighting.

Chiari Malformation

Chiari (Key-AR-ee) malformation, also known as CM, is frequently caused by an abnormality at the base of the skull.

Syringomyelia

Syringomyelia (Sir-IN-go-my-EEL-ee-uh), also known as SM, is a progressive disorder caused when a fluid filled sac, or syrinx, forms inside the spinal cord.

Diagnosis of CM and SM

Widespread use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI scans) has resulted in more rapid diagnosis and has also uncovered relationships between the disorders.

Neuropathic Pain

Neuropathic pain occurs when there is a malfunction in the part of the nervous system that tells the brain that tissue is injured.

MRI scan, chiari malformation, before surgery. Cerebellar tonsils are herniated through the foramen magnum. — Two patients, each shown before and after surgery. See them full size, with the labels

MRI scan, chiari malformation, after surgery. Posterior fossa has been decompressed, allowing for more room for the tonsils. — Two patients, each shown before and after surgery. See them full size, with the labels

Fund the Cure

98% of your gift funds the science.

This foundation was built on small gifts from people who refused to accept “there is nothing we can do.” 98% of what you give goes to research and sponsored research conferences.

$8,500 funds one full month of Phase 3 lab work.

Give once, or become a monthly sustainer and fund the science all year long. Column of Hope is a registered 501(c)(3) — your gift is tax-deductible.

Donate now

98%

of donations go to research and sponsored research conferences

Funds one month of Phase 3 lab work

$8,500

Research Champion

Funds one full month of Phase 3 laboratory work — staff, materials, and analysis.

$4,000

Science Sustainer

Funds two weeks of anatomical measurement in the Stoodley lab.