Bobby Jones Chiari & Syringomyelia Foundation

Behind every breakthrough discovery is a persistent advocate with a brave heart and tireless work ethic – people like Paul J. Farrell, Chair Emeritus of Bobby Jones CSF’s Board of Directors.

Our goal with the Bobby Jones CSF Paul J. Farrell Research Endowment is to raise $1,000,000 to provide sustainable funding for superior clinical and/or scientific projects.

Every gift will build the endowment, which will ensure sustainable funding for projects that will lead to better therapies–and ultimately, to a cure– for people battling CM, SM and related disorders.

Dorothy Poppe, Bobby Jones CSF’s Executive Director and CEO, met Paul at a conference in the 1990s. Paul has suffered from syringomyelia since 1989, and is committed to finding a cure for syringomyelia and Chiari malformations. With his immense heart, he was searching for answers for every family suffering from syringomyelia, Chiari, and related disorders. He knew the research path wouldn’t directly benefit him, but that didn’t deter him. Instead, he became our beacon, our guide, leading the way for families then, and for those facing these diagnoses now.

Paul wasn’t just a dreamer; he was a doer. He tackled the daunting task of establishing a non-profit, navigating mountains of paperwork, and assembling a dedicated team of founding board members. And from that unwavering commitment, Bobby Jones CSF was born.

How do you honor a man who has given so much? How do you encapsulate his dedication, his tireless service, his unwavering support? It was a challenge, but we knew it had to be something meaningful, something that truly reflected what Paul means to Bobby Jones CSF.

Therefore, it is with immense pride and joy that we announce the establishment of the Paul J. Farrell Research & Education Endowment. This endowment will serve as a lasting tribute to Paul’s vision and dedication and we invite you to support this vital initiative.

Please consider making a gift to the Paul J. Farrell Endowment. Your generosity will ensure that Paul’s legacy continues to shine brightly, illuminating the path towards a future where these disorders no longer cast a shadow.

The Research Committee at Bobby Jones CSF has identified important areas for research that we want to focus on. As our funding grows, we plan to support studies in these key areas:

• Help create new medicines and surgical treatments for Chiari and syringomyelia. Current medical treatments help many patients with pain and other neurological symptoms, but they don’t work for everyone. Because of this, it’s a high priority to continue developing new therapies and surgical methods so that all patients can live healthy and fulfilling lives.
• Discover the basic biological causes of Chiari and syringomyelia, including things like genetics, body structure, and physical forces. Understanding the biological reasons why Chiari and syringomyelia develop is important. It can help us find people who might be at risk before they show symptoms, allowing for earlier help. This knowledge can also guide us in creating new and better medical treatments.
• Encourage and train the next group of doctors and scientists who will specialize in Chiari and syringomyelia. To keep making progress in Chiari and syringomyelia research, it’s essential that the best future doctors and researchers are excited about this field and are well-trained to understand the needs of people affected by these conditions.

updated 01/2026