Episodes

  • 54. Immunotherapy Breakthroughs with Dr. Gregory Friedman

    54. Immunotherapy Breakthroughs with Dr. Gregory Friedman
    Jul 7 2026
    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 viral therapy.

    Dr. Friedman explains how modified cold sore viruses can be used to safely target and kill pediatric brain tumor cells while also triggering the child’s immune system to attack the tumor. He shares the science behind this innovative immunotherapy approach, what his clinical trials have shown so far, and why the future of pediatric brain tumor treatment may depend on combination therapies that work with the immune system rather than against it.

    If you’re interested in pediatric cancer research, immunotherapy, brain tumor treatment, clinical trials, childhood cancer advocacy, or how nonprofit funding helps move science forward, this episode is packed with insight.

    In this episode, we cover:
    • What oncolytic viral therapy is and how it works in pediatric brain tumors
    • Why traditional immunotherapy has struggled in childhood brain cancers
    • How modified viruses may help the immune system recognize and attack cancer
    • Early clinical trial outcomes in children with high-grade glioma
    • Why pediatric cancers need pediatric-specific treatments
    • How research moves from the lab to clinical trials
    • The role of the Scientific Advisory Board at CKc
    • Why funding pediatric cancer clinical trials is so important
    • What the future of immunotherapy for childhood cancer may look like over the next decade
    Dr. Friedman also shares why he believes we may be approaching a new era in pediatric cancer treatment, one driven by smarter, more targeted, and more durable immune-based therapies.If you believe every child deserves better treatment options and a better chance at survival, this conversation matters.

    Learn more about Cannonball Kids' cancer Foundation and support pediatric cancer research: cannonballkidscancer.org

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    Connect with Dana: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danaknichols/
    Connect with Val: https://www.linkedin.com/in/valerie-solomon/

    Upcoming Ckc Events: https://cannonballkidscancer.org/category/make-an-impact/events/

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    Podcast Produced by Hi Hello Labs: Website: https://www.hihellolabs.com/
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    36 mins
  • 53. Quiet Tenacity: A Family's Journey Through Pediatric Cancer

    53. Quiet Tenacity: A Family's Journey Through Pediatric Cancer
    Jun 23 2026
    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.

    At just six years old, Lantz was diagnosed with a rare pediatric brain tumor. Facing impossible decisions about chemotherapy, radiation, clinical treatment options, and long-term side effects, his parents became fierce advocates for innovative cancer care and pediatric cancer research.

    Now, 10 years cancer-free, Lantz is thriving as a teenager, proving why research matters and why organizations like Cannonball Kids' cancer Foundation continue fighting for better treatments for children diagnosed with cancer.

    In this episode, you'll learn:
    -How Lantz's rare brain tumor was diagnosed
    -Why his parents declined radiation treatment
    -The experimental targeted therapy that changed everything
    -The emotional reality of pediatric cancer survivorship
    -How research creates new treatment options for children
    -The importance of second opinions and parent advocacy
    -How Gabriel Therapy Group and Keep On Walking are giving back to families today
    -Why hope and gratitude remain at the center of their journey

    If you're a pediatric cancer family, survivor, advocate, researcher, healthcare professional, or simply someone who believes every child deserves a future, this episode is for you.

    Learn more about Cannonball Kids' cancer Foundation and support pediatric cancer research: cannonballkidscancer.org

    Learn more about Gabrial Therapy Group or Keep on Walking: www.gabrieltherapygroup.com
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    Connect with Dana: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danaknichols/
    Connect with Val: https://www.linkedin.com/in/valerie-solomon/

    Upcoming Ckc Events: https://cannonballkidscancer.org/category/make-an-impact/events/

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    Podcast Produced by Hi Hello Labs: Website: https://www.hihellolabs.com/
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    50 mins
  • 52. How do laws, funding, and advocacy shape the future of childhood cancer research?

    52. How do laws, funding, and advocacy shape the future of childhood cancer research?
    Jun 9 2026
    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 drug development, and federal cancer research funding.

    This conversation explores the legislative victories that have transformed pediatric oncology, including the STAR Act, the RACE for Children Act, and efforts to improve survivorship resources for childhood cancer survivors. Dr. Weiner also shares how parents, survivors, and advocates can influence public policy and help secure funding for life-saving childhood cancer research.

    If you're interested in pediatric cancer research, childhood cancer advocacy, cancer survivorship, healthcare policy, rare disease research, clinical trials, federal research funding, or how families can create change, this episode is essential viewing.

    For more information on Children's Cancer Cause, visit https://www.childrenscancercause.org. There you will find many resources to help you get started including an advocacy toolkit.

    To view proposed pediatric cancer legislation, visit the Pediatric Cancer Action Network at https://www.pcanaction.org.

    At Cannonball Kids' cancer Foundation, we believe every child deserves access to better treatment options and a brighter future.

    Through research funding, education, and advocacy, we're working to accelerate progress in pediatric cancer.
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    Connect with Dana: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danaknichols/
    Connect with Val: https://www.linkedin.com/in/valerie-solomon/

    Upcoming Ckc Events: https://cannonballkidscancer.org/category/make-an-impact/events/

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    Podcast Produced by Hi Hello Labs: Website: https://www.hihellolabs.com/
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    39 mins
  • 51. The Human Side of Pediatric Cancer Research with Dr John Prensner

    51. The Human Side of Pediatric Cancer Research with Dr John Prensner
    May 26 2026
    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 Investigator Grant from Cannonball Kids’ cancer Foundation, Dr. Prensner is leading groundbreaking research focused on relapsed medulloblastoma, DIPG, ATRT, and the molecular drivers behind pediatric brain tumors.

    Dr. Prensner shares the deeply personal story that inspired him to pursue pediatric cancer research after encountering a young mother dying of brain cancer during his early hospital experiences. The conversation explores the emotional realities of pediatric oncology, the importance of mentorship in science, and how collaboration between labs, institutions, and researchers across the world is accelerating innovation for children with cancer.

    This episode also dives into the growing concerns surrounding pediatric cancer funding, NIH research grants, instability in federal funding, and the long-term effects these challenges have on the future pipeline of childhood cancer researchers and scientific breakthroughs.

    If you care about advancing pediatric cancer research, supporting innovative treatments, and learning how researchers are working to change outcomes for children battling cancer, this episode is for you.

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    Connect with Dana: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danaknichols/
    Connect with Val: https://www.linkedin.com/in/valerie-solomon/
    Upcoming Ckc Events: https://cannonballkidscancer.org/category/make-an-impact/events/

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    Podcast Produced by Hi Hello Labs: Website: https://www.hihellolabs.com/
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    37 mins
  • 50. The Internship That Made Me Rethink My Career

    50. The Internship That Made Me Rethink My Career
    May 12 2026
    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 storytelling.

    From finding their internships at UCF’s Intern Pursuit to creating social media content for CKc, writing blog posts, and producing reels that highlight life-saving research, they open up about:
    • How to find the right internship aligned with your values
    • What nonprofit work actually looks like day-to-day
    • The power of storytelling in healthcare and pediatric cancer awareness
    • Balancing creativity with responsibility when telling real patient stories
    • The importance of workplace culture, mental health, and boundaries
    • Lessons learned from real-world experience vs. the classroom
    They also share what it felt like to attend Gold Gala and see the direct impact of their work come to life, connecting content creation to real funding for pediatric cancer research.

    Whether you’re a college student looking for internships, someone interested in nonprofit careers, or managing intern experiences at your organization, this episode will inspire you to step outside your comfort zone and pursue meaningful work.
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    Connect with Dana: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danaknichols/
    Connect with Val: https://www.linkedin.com/in/valerie-solomon/

    Upcoming Ckc Events: https://cannonballkidscancer.org/category/make-an-impact/events/

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    Podcast Produced by Hi Hello Labs: Website: https://www.hihellolabs.com/
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    28 mins
  • 49. New Treatment Hope for Rare Childhood Leukemia

    49. New Treatment Hope for Rare Childhood Leukemia
    Apr 28 2026
    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 rare and aggressive form of childhood leukemia affecting just 50–100 children per year in the United States, yet it presents some of the biggest challenges in diagnosis and treatment. Historically, survival rates have been low, and treatment options have been limited.Dr. Stieglitz shares how his groundbreaking research into RAS gene mutations and DNA profiling has:
    • Revolutionized how JMML is diagnosed
    • Enabled faster, more accurate testing worldwide
    • Helped doctors predict which patients need aggressive treatment
    • Opened the door to targeted therapies and clinical trials
    We also dive into the reality of medical research timelines, why innovation takes years, and how nonprofit funding plays a critical role in bringing life-saving treatments to children.If you’ve ever wondered how pediatric cancer breakthroughs actually happen—or what it takes to move from research to real-world impact—this episode is for you.



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    Connect with Dana: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danaknichols/
    Connect with Val: https://www.linkedin.com/in/valerie-solomon/

    Upcoming Ckc Events: https://cannonballkidscancer.org/category/make-an-impact/events/

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    Podcast Produced by Hi Hello Labs: Website: https://www.hihellolabs.com/
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    32 mins
  • 48. The Hidden Work Behind Fundraising for Pediatric Cancer Research

    48. The Hidden Work Behind Fundraising for Pediatric Cancer Research
    Apr 14 2026
    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 Robertson to talk about:
    • The hidden work behind nonprofit events like runDisney
    • How donor stewardship actually works
    • Why administrative and operational roles are critical to impact
    • The emotional reality of working in pediatric cancer advocacy
    • The truth about funding in pediatric cancer research
    Amy shares her journey from mental health and social work into nonprofit development, offering a powerful perspective on how impact happens at every level of an organization.If you’ve ever attended a fundraising event, donated to a cause, or wondered how nonprofits operate behind the scenes, this episode will change how you see it.
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    Connect with Dana: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danaknichols/
    Connect with Val: https://www.linkedin.com/in/valerie-solomon/

    Upcoming Ckc Events: https://cannonballkidscancer.org/category/make-an-impact/events/

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    Podcast Produced by Hi Hello Labs: Website: https://www.hihellolabs.com/
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    28 mins
  • 47. How Poverty Impacts Childhood Cancer Survival | Dr. Kira Bona

    47. How Poverty Impacts Childhood Cancer Survival | Dr. Kira Bona
    Mar 31 2026
    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 with cancer lives in a household facing poverty-related challenges, such as food insecurity, housing instability, or lack of transportation. Even when children receive treatment at top hospitals and participate in clinical trials, these social factors can still impact survival outcomes.

    Together, they unpack how social determinants of health influence treatment success, why traditional support systems may not be enough, and what researchers are doing to create health equity interventions that improve outcomes for children and families facing financial hardship.

    This conversation highlights the intersection of oncology and public health, offering hope for a future where every child fighting cancer has an equal chance to survive and thrive.

    Support the Ignite Consortium: https://igniteconsortium.org
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    Connect with Dana: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danaknichols/
    Connect with Val: https://www.linkedin.com/in/valerie-solomon/

    Upcoming Ckc Events: https://cannonballkidscancer.org/category/make-an-impact/events/

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    Podcast Produced by Hi Hello Labs: Website: https://www.hihellolabs.com/
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    43 mins