Game Over: c*ncer

What does the future of pediatric cancer treatment actually look like? In this episode of Game Over: c*ncer, hosts Dana Nichols and Val Solomon sit down with Dr. Gregory Friedman pediatric oncologist, CKc-funded researcher, and chair of the Scientific Advisory Board at  Cannonball Kids’ cancer Foundation (CKc), to talk about one of the most exciting areas in childhood cancer research: oncolytic vi...

Quiet Tenacity: A Family's Journey Through Pediatric Cancer What happens 10 years after a child hears the words, "You have cancer"? In this powerful episode of Game Over: c*ncer, hosts Dana Nichols and Val Solomon welcome Nick and Rachel Mangan, parents of pediatric brain cancer survivor Lantz Mangan, to share their family's incredible journey through diagnosis, treatment, survivorship, and hope....

In this episode of Game Over: c*ncer, hosts Dana Nichols and Val Solomon welcome Dr. Susan Weiner, founder of Children's Cancer Cause, pediatric cancer advocate, and national leader in childhood cancer policy. For more than 25 years, Dr. Weiner has worked alongside families, researchers, legislators, and advocacy organizations to improve childhood cancer treatment, survivorship care, pediatric dru...

Why is pediatric brain cancer research so underfunded, and what does it actually take to build breakthroughs for children fighting cancer? In this episode of Game Over: c*ncer, Val Solomon and Dana Nichols sit down with Dr. John Prensner, pediatric neuro-oncologist, researcher, and Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Michigan Medical School. As the recipient of the 2025 Young In...

What is it really like to start a nonprofit internship and step into purpose-driven work for the first time? In this episode of Game Over: c*ncer, Cannonball Kids’ cancer Foundation interns Emma Wade (Marketing, UCF) and Olivia Smith (English Literature & Legal Studies, UCF) share their real experiences working behind the scenes in pediatric cancer advocacy, nonprofit marketing, and storytelli...

What does it really take to develop new treatments for pediatric cancer? In this episode of Game Over: c*ncer, we sit down with Dr. Elliot Stieglitz, a leading pediatric hematologist-oncologist and researcher at UCSF, to break down the reality behind pediatric cancer research, clinical trials, and breakthrough treatments for rare diseases like juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia (JMML). JMML is a rar...

What does it really take to run a nonprofit and fund life-saving pediatric cancer research? In this episode of Game Over: c*ncer, we explore the unseen labor behind nonprofit organizations and the behind-the-scenes roles that make fundraising, donor relationships, and events possible. Val Solomon and Dana Nichols from Cannonball Kids’ cancer Foundation sit down with Development Assistant Amy Rober...

In this powerful episode of Game Over: c*ncer, hosts Dana and Val sit down with Dr. Kira Bona, pediatric oncologist at Dana-Farber/Boston Children’s Hospital and associate professor at Harvard Medical School, to explore a critical but often overlooked issue in pediatric cancer care: access and health equity. Dr. Bona shares groundbreaking research revealing that one in three children diagnosed wit...

In this powerful episode of Game Over: c*ncer, hosts Dana Nichols and Val Solomon sit down with pediatric cancer survivor Tayler Ellison to hear a story of extraordinary resilience. Tayler was first diagnosed with glioblastoma (GBM) at just four years old, later faced osteosarcoma at 13, and then battled a second osteosarcoma during her first year of college. Now 21 years old and currently in remi...

What happens when you stop asking “Why me?” and start asking “Why not?” In this inspiring episode of Game Over: c*ncer, hosts Val Solomon and Dana Nichols sit down with Hannah Hunt, founder of Socks N' Such, preschool teacher, mom of two, and now a passionate pediatric cancer advocate. What started as a simple Disney Marathon Weekend bib turned into something much bigger. Hannah shares how fundrai...

What is it like to hear your child tell their cancer story… when you remember every detail they don’t? In this powerful Part 2 conversation, the Game Over: c*ncer Podcast sits down with Julie Feuerstein, mom of pediatric cancer survivor Mara, to explore the family side of a childhood leukemia diagnosis. While Mara shared her story in our previous episode, today we hear from the mother who lived ev...

Cancer doesn’t just affect the patient. It impacts the entire family. Welcome back to Game Over: c*ncer, as we kick off 2026 with Part One of a powerful two-part conversation exploring how pediatric cancer shapes family life, resilience, and hope. In this episode, hosts Val Solomon and Dana Nichols of Cannonball Kids’ cancer Foundation sit down with Mara Feuerstein, a remarkable young cancer survi...

Game Over: c*ncer really lives up to its name in this one. In this special episode, we celebrate 10 years of impact with the very first researcher Cannonball Kids’ cancer Foundation (CKc) ever funded, Dr. Ted Johnson. Dr. Johnson is a professor of pediatric oncology and co-director of the Pediatric Immunotherapy Program at Augusta University, a destination program for children with brain cancer wh...

In today’s episode of Game Over: c*ncer, we explore one of the greatest superpowers in pediatric cancer research: collaboration. From co-funding grants to global scientific networks, teamwork is driving lifesaving breakthroughs, especially for the rarest and hardest-to-treat childhood cancers. Hosted by Val Solomon (Director of Program Impact) and Dana Nichols (Executive Director of CKc), this epi...

In this timely episode, hosts Val and Dana break down what’s shifting in pediatric cancer research funding, and why it matters for kids right now. As a follow-up to an earlier episode about federal funding in 2026, we unpack details on the appalling federal funding cuts planned for pediatric cancer research. In this episode we see: What a projected 37% cut to NCI’s budget could mean for pediatric...

Game Over Cancer is back with a high-energy, heart-forward episode for runners, running-curious friends, and anyone who loves the magic of Run Disney. Dana and Val sit down with Meghan and Stephanie from CKC’s Run Disney Committee to talk training, community, and why running for a cause hits different. From first 5Ks to finishing marathons, they unpack the moments that made them feel like “real ru...

In this powerful episode of the Game Over: c*ncer, hosts Dana and Val sit down with Maria Ochoa, president and co-founder of Mia’s Miracles Foundation. Maria, along with her husband, professional golfer Camilo Villegas, created Mia's Miracles in honor of their daughter Mia, who passed away from brain and spine cancer at just 22 months old. Maria opens up about surrender, grief, PTSD, and the unsee...

In this episode of the Game Over: c*ncer, hosts Val Solomon and Dana Nichols, sit down with Tammi Carr, co-founder of the ChadTough Defeat DIPG Foundation. Tammi shares the story of her son Chad, her family’s fight against DIPG, and how powerful collaboration across families, foundations, and researchers is accelerating progress. You will hear: How Chad’s legacy inspired a movement that now fuels...

In this survivor spotlight, hosts Val and Dana sit down with  Lily Bakour  — a two-time childhood cancer survivor, advocate, and longtime CKc partner. At 15, Lily faced surgery, traditional chemo, and radiation. After relapse, an immunotherapy clinical trial helped her reach remission. Today, she opens up about survivorship with honesty and hope: processing survivor’s guilt, reclaiming your story...

In this inspiring episode, hosts Dana and Val from Cannonball Kids’ c*ncer sit down with Andy Albert, an osteosarcoma survivor and the namesake of CKc’s 2025 clinical trial grant with Dr. Allison O’Neill at Dana-Farber. Andy opens up about his diagnosis at age 12, the big decision to have a rotationplasty, becoming his own advocate during treatment, and life now as a curious, science-loving teenag...

Welcome to another powerful episode of the Game Over: c*ncer podcast by Cannonball Kids’ cancer Foundation (CKc)! In this conversation, hosts Dana and Val sit down with Dr. Cassie Kline, attending physician and Director of Clinical Research in the Department of Neuro-Oncology at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Dr. Kline shares her journey into pediatric oncology, her personal connection to ca...

In this inspiring episode of Game Over: c*ncer, we sit down with Clifton Scott, COO at AdventHealth for Flagler and St. John’s Market, and a passionate board member at Cannonball Kids’ c*ncer Foundation (CKc). We dive deep into what board service really looks like—from training and fiduciary responsibility to leadership, diversity, and alignment with your purpose. Whether you’ve served on a board...

In this inspiring episode of Game Over: c*ncer, we sit down with two incredible community leaders and pediatric cancer advocates — Dr. Michelle Norden, a board-certified pediatrician, and her husband, Nick Norden, a personal injury attorney at Norden Leacox Accident and Injury Law. From attending the first Gold Gala, to co-chairing the event two years in a row, the Nordens share how saying "yes" t...

In this inspiring episode of Game Over: c*ncer, Hosts Val and Dana of Cannonball Kids' c*ncer Foundation sit down with Natasha Maio Lonbaken, chair of the Ripple Effect Luncheon. Natasha shares her personal journey from first-time volunteer to nonprofit leader all rooted in one bold decision of saying yes before she felt ready. Through honest conversations about leadership, growth, and the power o...

In this powerful and deeply personal episode of Game Over c*ncer, we sit down with Jasan Zimmerman—a three-time childhood and young adult cancer survivor, former molecular biologist, and now the Senior Director of Foundation Relations at the Lucile Packard Foundation for Children’s Health. Jasan opens up about his lifelong journey through cancer, the mental health struggles that often follow survi...