Game Over: c*ncer
Through poignant interviews with pediatric cancer survivors, families, medical professionals, and advocates, Game Over: c*ncer sheds light on the realities of childhood cancer. Each episode explores the efforts and advocacy taking place to find more solutions and make changes for this fatal disease. Hope exhibited by these young warriors and their loved ones is also crucial to our message. From discussing the latest research advancements to sharing personal stories of triumph and loss, the show aims to spark meaningful conversations, foster community support, and drive action toward a world free of childhood cancer. Join us in amplifying these voices...
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42. The First CKc Grant That Sparked a Revolution in Childhood Cancer Research
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.<br /><br />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 who have run out of standard options. Val Solomon and Dana Nichols sit down with him to talk about how one early CKc grant helped launch a decade of progress in pediatric brain cancer immunotherapy, fr...
41. How Global Collaboration Is Changing Pediatric Cancer Research | Dr. Anirban Das
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.<br /><br />Hosted by Val Solomon (Director of Program Impact) and Dana Nichols (Executive Director of CKc), this episode features an inspiring conversation with Dr. Anirban Das, a pediatric neuro-oncologist and cancer geneticist at SickKids Hospital in Toronto and assistant professor at the University of Toronto.<br /><br />Dr. Das is a 2024 Cannonball Kids’ Cancer Young Investigator, a grant co-funded w...
40. Crisis in Kids' Cancer: What a 37% Research Funding Cut Really Means
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.<br /><br /><b>In this episode we see:</b><br />What a projected 37% cut to NCI’s budget could mean for pediatric research (fewer grants, center consolidations, and mid-stream project disruptions).Why “More than Four” still matters, and how 4% of NCI funds for pediatrics has always fallen short.The latest on the Ch...
39. From 5K to Dopey: The Magic of Running for Cannonball Kids’ cancer Foundation
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.<br /><br />From first 5Ks to finishing marathons, they unpack the moments that made them feel like “real runners,” the reality of fundraising for a charity bib, and what makes Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend unforgettable. You will hear practical tips for first-timers, how to choose the right distance, what Dopey...
39. From 5Ks to Marathons: The Magic of Running for Cannonball Kids’ cancer Foundation
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.<br /><br />From first 5Ks to finishing marathons, they unpack the moments that made them feel like “real runners,” the reality of fundraising for a charity bib, and what makes Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend unforgettable. You will hear practical tips for first-timers, how to choose the right distance, what Dopey...
38. From Surrender to Strength: Maria Ochoa Shares Life with Childhood Cancer
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.<br /><br /><br />Maria opens up about surrender, grief, PTSD, and the unseen weight caregivers carry. She shares how love, boundaries, and support can transform the hardest seasons. She shares Mia’s story, the impact of treatment on the family, and why caregiver well-being is...
37. Defeating DIPG: A conversation with ChadTough's co-founder, Tammi Carr
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.<br /><br />You will hear:<br />How Chad’s legacy inspired a movement that now fuels millions in research each yearWhy joining forces with partner families and merging organizations created real momentumWhat recent progress means for DIPG treatment and why speed still matters for kids todayHow cuts to f...
36. Cancer and Identity: Lily Bakour’s Authentic Journey Through Survivorship
In this survivor spotlight, hosts Val and Dana sit down with <b>Lily Bakour</b> — a two-time childhood cancer survivor, advocate, and longtime CKc partner.<br /><br />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 on the internet, healing long-term treatment effects, and choosing calm, strength, and community.<br /><br />This conversation is a reminder that every survivor story is unique and deeply human. If you care about innovation in pediatric cancer and tangible h...
35. From Cancer to Curiosity: Andy Albert's Inspiring Survivorship 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.<br /><br />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 teenager who’s into engineering, Minecraft, F1, fishing, and caring for his family's pet bearded dragon, Rusty.<br /><br />You will hear:<br />What osteosarcoma looks like from first symptom to diagnosisAndy’s rotationplasty ex...
34. From Young Investigator to Leader: Dr. Cassie Kline & Pediatric Brain Tumor Care
Welcome to another powerful episode of the Game Over: c*ncer podcast by Cannonball Kids’ cancer Foundation (CKc)!<br /><br />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.<br /><br />Dr. Kline shares her journey into pediatric oncology, her personal connection to cancer research, and her role in advancing innovative treatments for children with brain and spinal cord tumors. From her early days as CKc’s first Young Investigator to serving on CKc's Scientific Advisory Board, Dr. Kline’s story...
