51. The Human Side of Pediatric Cancer Research with Dr John Prensner

51. The Human Side of Pediatric Cancer Research with Dr John Prensner

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

50. The Internship That Made Me Rethink My Career

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. ---------------------------------- Connect with Dana: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danaknichols/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/danaknichols/] Connect with Val: https://www.linkedin.com/in/valerie-solomon/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/valerie-solomon/] Upcoming Ckc Events: https://cannonballkidscancer.org/category/make-an-impact/events/ [https://cannonballkidscancer.org/category/make-an-impact/events/] ---------------------------------- Podcast Produced by Hi Hello Labs: Website: https://www.hihellolabs.com/ [https://www.hihellolabs.com/]

49. New Treatment Hope for Rare Childhood Leukemia

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. ---------------------------------- Connect with Dana: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danaknichols/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/danaknichols/] Connect with Val: https://www.linkedin.com/in/valerie-solomon/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/valerie-solomon/] Upcoming Ckc Events: https://cannonballkidscancer.org/category/make-an-impact/events/ [https://cannonballkidscancer.org/category/make-an-impact/events/] ---------------------------------- Podcast Produced by Hi Hello Labs: Website: https://www.hihellolabs.com/ [https://www.hihellolabs.com/]

48. The Hidden Work Behind Fundraising for Pediatric Cancer Research

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. ---------------------------------- Connect with Dana: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danaknichols/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/danaknichols/] Connect with Val: https://www.linkedin.com/in/valerie-solomon/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/valerie-solomon/] Upcoming Ckc Events: https://cannonballkidscancer.org/category/make-an-impact/events/ [https://cannonballkidscancer.org/category/make-an-impact/events/] ---------------------------------- Podcast Produced by Hi Hello Labs: Website: https://www.hihellolabs.com/ [https://www.hihellolabs.com/]

47. How Poverty Impacts Childhood Cancer Survival | Dr. Kira Bona

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 [https://igniteconsortium.org/] ---------------------------------- Connect with Dana: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danaknichols/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/danaknichols/] Connect with Val: https://www.linkedin.com/in/valerie-solomon/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/valerie-solomon/] Upcoming Ckc Events: https://cannonballkidscancer.org/category/make-an-impact/events/ [https://cannonballkidscancer.org/category/make-an-impact/events/] ---------------------------------- Podcast Produced by Hi Hello Labs: Website: https://www.hihellolabs.com/ [https://www.hihellolabs.com/]