Believe in Progress: an American Association for Cancer Research Foundation Podcast

Believe in Progress: an American Association for Cancer Research Foundation Podcast

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Believe in Progress: an American Association for Cancer Research Foundation Podcast episodes

  • 060: Reimagining Cancer Survivorship and Leading with Heart - Suzanne Stone
    What happens when a life in media, advocacy, and leadership converges on a mission to transform the way we support people with cancer?
    On this episode of Believe in Progress, the AACR Foundation’s podcast, we hear from Suzanne Stone, an Emmy-winning storyteller, nonprofit champion, and the President and CEO of Livestrong.
    From television studios to basketball courts to cancer care nonprofits, Suzanne’s career has always centered on lifting others up. In a special full-circle moment, host Mitch Stoller, who served as Livestrong’s President and CEO from 2003 to 2007, talks with Suzanne to discuss the organization's legacy and its future.
    Suzanne shares the career path that brought her to Livestrong, including how coaching women’s basketball taught her vital lessons about empathy and listening that now inform her leadership style. She explores the organization's evolution, from the decision to bring back the iconic yellow and black branding to the launch of Ellis, a groundbreaking AI companion designed to help cancer survivors navigate their journey.
    This conversation dives deep into the philosophy of "saving all the starfish," moving beyond individual aid to creating systemic impact at scale. Suzanne outlines how Livestrong is building self-sustaining micro-businesses to ensure that no one faces cancer alone, today or years from now.
    Featured Guest Suzanne Stone - President and CEO, Livestrong: Leading one of the most recognized names in cancer advocacy, Suzanne is focused on patient-centered solutions, equity, and enduring hope. She discusses how her background in media and coaching prepared her to lead Livestrong into its next chapter, emphasizing the power of community, physical movement, and innovative technology in cancer recovery.
    Key Topics:
    • A Legacy of Bravery: How Livestrong has evolved over 28 years while maintaining its core mission to ensure no one faces cancer alone.
    • From Storytelling to Service: Suzanne’s non-linear career path from TV production to coaching basketball and leading nonprofits like Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) and Susan G. Komen.
    • Impact at Scale: Reinterpreting the "Starfish Parable" to focus on solving root causes rather than just individual cases.
    • Innovation in Care: The development of Ellis, an AI-powered guidebook that acts as a closed-loop conversation partner for survivors seeking resources.
    • The Power of Yellow: The strategic decision to bring back the iconic yellow and black brand identity as a symbol of hope and resilience.
    • Exercise Oncology: The evolution of Livestrong at the Y into Cancer Fit, an accessible, on-demand digital training platform for survivors and trainers.
    • Leadership Lessons: How coaching a community college basketball team taught Suzanne the difference between hearing and truly listening with empathy.
    • Future Sustainability: Building self-sustaining micro-businesses to fuel Livestrong’s mission independent of external economic factors.
    Take Action in the Fight Against Cancer:
    If this episode moved you, here’s how you can take action to advance cancer research:
    • Donate to the AACR: Fuel lifesaving cancer research at https://AACR.org/Give
    • Support Survivorship: Learn more about Livestrong’s resources at https://Livestrong.org
    • Share this episode: Help amplify the message that bold ideas and global collaboration can change the future of cancer care
    • Subscribe to Believe in Progress: Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts
    Production Credits:
    Host: Mitch Stoller
    Guest: Suzanne Stone
    Executive Producer: Anthony Lopes
    Executive Producer: Michael Leary
    Director: Anthony Lopes
    Creative Director / Director of Photography: Michael Leary
    Writer: Anthony Lopes
    Editor: Michael Leary
    Associate Producer: Heather Holland
    Believe in Progress is produced by CollegeCast LLC.
    Check out more episodes: https://AACR.org/BelieveInProgress
    43 min
  • 059: Leading the Future of Cancer Science with Dr. Matthew G. Vander Heiden and Dr. Inesa Huivaniuk - from the AACR Annual Meeting 2025:
    What does it take to lead one of the world’s largest gatherings of cancer researchers and to deliver cancer care on the front lines of a war zone? In this powerful episode of Believe in Progress, brought to you by the AACR Foundation, we sit down with two extraordinary individuals shaping efforts to drive progress in cancer science and medicine.
    Part One features Dr. Matthew G. Vander Heiden, Cochair of the AACR Annual Meeting, Director of the Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research at MIT, and practicing oncologist at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Dr. Vander Heiden offers a behind-the-scenes look at what goes into building a scientific meeting of this scale, why interdisciplinarity matters, and how today’s trainees will become tomorrow’s leaders. He also reflects on his work in cancer metabolism and how caring for patients shapes his scientific mission.
    Part Two features Dr. Inesa Huivaniuk, surgical oncologist at the Kyiv Regional Oncological Center and Executive Director of the Global Medical Knowledge Alliance (GMKA) in Ukraine. Dr. Huivaniuk shares what it’s like to perform surgery during missile attacks, support displaced patients, and maintain cancer care amid war. Her work highlights resilience, innovation, and the global collaboration required to ensure every patient receives care, even in wartime crisis.
    Together, these conversations capture the spirit of the AACR Annual Meeting: uniting every discipline, every discovery, and every person behind progress against cancer.
    This special episode of Believe in Progress was recorded live at the AACR Annual Meeting in Chicago. It’s part of a series that features dynamic conversations with researchers, clinicians, entrepreneurs, and student scholars contributing to the effort to defeat cancer. From breakthrough diagnostics to trailblazing health services research, our guests in this series share their stories of science, innovation, and hope.
    Featured Guests
    Dr. Matthew G. Vander Heiden - Cochair, AACR Annual Meeting; Director, Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research at MIT
    A global leader in cancer metabolism and scientific strategy, Dr. Vander Heiden discusses how the Annual Meeting is built, why collaboration across disciplines matters, and how supporting future scientists remains central to the AACR’s mission.
    Dr. Inesa Huivaniuk - Surgical Oncologist, Kyiv Regional Oncological Center; Executive Director, GMKA Ukraine
    From operating during missile strikes to restoring cancer services in a war zone, Dr. Huivaniuk speaks to the courage and innovation required to care for patients under extraordinary circumstances.
    Key Topics:
    Part One – Dr. Vander Heiden
    - How the AACR Annual Meeting, with its more than 22,000 attendees, is planned
    - How the conference ensures representation across basic science, clinical trials, population science, and policy
    - How it spotlights emerging researchers and first-time presenters
    - Insights into cancer metabolism and nutrient pathways in tumor growth
    - Balancing leadership, research, and clinical practice
    - How the AACR supported his early career and why he’s committed to mentoring the next generation
    Part Two – Dr. Huivaniuk
    - Delivering cancer care in a war zone: disruption, courage, and adaptation
    - Providing care to both cancer patients and injured soldiers
    - Barriers to medication access, radiation supplies, and medical infrastructure
    - Supporting physicians who cannot travel to meetings for education and collaboration opportunities
    - Using technology and international partnerships to maintain continuity of care
    - Personal experiences operating under missile fire and her refusal to abandon patients
    - How her mother’s medical journey inspired her to pursue medicine
    Take Action in the Fight Against Cancer:
    If this episode moved you, here’s how you can take action to advance cancer research:
    - Donate to the AACR: Fuel lifesaving innovation at https://AACR.org/Give
    - Share this episode: Help amplify the message that bold ideas and global collaboration can change the future of cancer care
    - Subscribe to Believe in Progress: Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts
    Production Credits:
    Host: Mitch Stoller
    Guests: Matthew G. Vander Heiden, MD, PhD; Inesa Huivaniuk, MD, MPA
    Executive Producer: Anthony Lopes
    Executive Producer: Michael Leary
    Director: Anthony Lopes
    Creative Director / Director of Photography: Michael Leary
    Writer: Anthony Lopes
    Editor: Michael Leary
    Associate Producer: Heather Holland
    Believe in Progress is produced by CollegeCast LLC.
    44 min
  • 058: Running Toward Hope - Rhett Austell’s Race Against Cancer
    What does it take to face cancer head-on, twice, and still find the strength to run toward progress? In this powerful episode of Believe in Progress, brought to you by the AACR Foundation, Rhett Austell shares his deeply personal journey through stage 4 appendix cancer, fatherhood, advocacy, and the fight for his life.
    Rhett’s story is one of resilience. From the sudden onset of cancer in his late 30s to undergoing major surgery, chemotherapy, and still lacing up to run the Broad Street Run in Philadelphia, he embodies what it means to keep going, no matter the odds. His passion for funding cancer research is fueled by both the personal loss of his father and by hope: through his father-in-law’s survival, thanks to a clinical trial.
    This special extended episode includes a heartfelt epilogue recorded after Rhett’s recent cancer recurrence, where he speaks openly about the realities of a second diagnosis, his continued treatment, and what drives him to keep fighting—not just for himself, his wife, and his four daughters, but for all cancer patients and their families.
    Key Topics:
    - The shocking discovery of stage 4 appendix cancer at age 38
    - The emotional rollercoaster of becoming a father again amid diagnosis
    - Lessons learned from his father’s and father-in-law’s cancer journeys
    - Running the Broad Street Run after major surgery and raising more than $9,000
    - Facing a cancer recurrence and embracing advocacy with renewed urgency
    - The importance of time, clinical trials, and fully funding cancer research
    - What it means to believe in progress, even in the face of setbacks
    Episode Chapter Markers (Timestamps):
    00:00 – Introduction to Believe in Progress
    00:53 – Rhett's Story Begins
    03:09 – A Surprise Diagnosis and a New Baby on the Way
    08:12 – Treatment, Surgery, and Finding Strength Through Family
    09:28 – Cancer in the Family: Stories of Loss and Survival
    14:48 – Why Cancer Research Matters Now More Than Ever
    16:55 – Running Again: From the Hospital to the Finish Line
    20:23 – Fundraising, Broad Street Run, and Victory
    21:49 – Epilogue: Facing Recurrence with Purpose
    27:34 – Rhett’s Second Round of Treatment
    32:29 – Continued Advocacy in the Face of Uncertainty
    36:04 – Looking Ahead: Hope, Family, and Next Goals
    If this episode moves you, here’s how you can take action to advance cancer research:
    - Donate to the AACR: Fuel lifesaving innovation at https://AACR.org/Give
    - Share this episode: Send it to inspire others in your network
    - Subscribe to Believe in Progress: Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts
    Production Credits:
    Host: Mitch Stoller
    Guest: Rhett Austell
    Executive Producer: Anthony Lopes
    Executive Producer: Michael Leary
    Director: Anthony Lopes
    Creative Director / Director of Photography: Michael Leary
    Writer: Anthony Lopes
    Editor: Michael Leary
    Associate Producer: Heather Holland
    Believe in Progress is produced by CollegeCast LLC.
    39 min
  • 057: Resilience in Pink: Two Survivors on Cancer Early Detection and Advocacy
    Your support matters. Help accelerate progress against cancer:
    - Donate to the AACR: Fuel lifesaving cancer research at https://AACR.org/Give.
    - Share this episode: Amplify Patty’s and Vicki’s messages of early detection, advocacy, and hope.
    - Subscribe to Believe in Progress: Follow us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you listen.
    What does it look like to face breast cancer with courage, clarity, and community?
    In this episode, we talk with Patty Guthrie and Vicki Courlang about the moments that changed everything in their lives and the choices that carried them forward.
    Patty describes retiring after 25 years of teaching, staying on top of her annual mammograms, and catching her cancer early—at Stage 1 in 2020—as well as navigating treatment during COVID-19. She credits her care team at Memorial Sloan Kettering, daily gratitude, and walking five to six days per week as pillars of her recovery.
    Vicki brings a clinician’s insight to a patient’s journey. A former oncology nurse, she recognized something was “off” long before her diagnosis with Paget’s disease of the breast. Paget’s is a rare condition that, for Vicki, didn’t appear on standard mammograms. She emphasizes listening to your body, seeking prompt evaluation for changes, and advocating for screening access at younger ages.
    Both guests underscore the lifesaving importance of early detection, the reality of vulnerable moments, and the power of family, friends, and compassionate care.
    Their message is clear: education, advocacy, and cancer research save lives, and hope grows from science and facing our challenges of cancer together.
    Episode Highlights:
    - Early Detection Saves Lives: Patty’s annual screening caught a small, hard-to-feel tumor, and Vicki’s Paget's symptoms appeared externally and did not show on standard mammograms. This is where self-awareness and follow-up mattered.
    - Treatment in a Pandemic: Chemotherapy and radiation during COVID-19 meant isolation at appointments. However, nurses, techs, and loved ones created a safety net.
    - Caregiver and Patient Dual Lens: Vicki’s oncology background helped her understand next steps; Patty learned fast and stayed positive through her cancer journey.
    - Support Systems: Spouses, children, and close friends (shoutouts included) made a big difference. They helped with rides to appointments, meals, calls, and presence.
    - Survivorship Milestones: From frequent follow-ups to annual imaging and bone-density checks, survivorship is a structured path, which includes daily movement and gratitude.
    - Mindset Shifts: Cancer doesn’t define who you are; it’s part of what you are. Boundaries, positivity, and purpose take center stage.
    - Practical Advice: Stay informed. Get your screenings. Seek second opinions. Choose a team and a care plan you feel confident in and move forward.
    How You Can Help
    - Donate to the AACR: Support world-class cancer research at AACR.org/Give
    - Subscribe & Share: Help this episode reach patients, caregivers, and clinicians who need it
    - Leave a Review: Ratings and reviews help others discover the show
    Production Credits:
    Host: Mitch Stoller
    Guests: Patty Guthrie and Vicki Courlang
    Executive Producer: Anthony Lopes
    Executive Producer: Michael Leary
    Director: Anthony Lopes
    Creative Director / Director of Photography: Michael Leary
    Writer: Anthony Lopes
    Editor: Michael Leary
    Associate Producer: Heather Holland
    Believe in Progress is produced by CollegeCast LLC.
    30 min
  • 056: Grief, Grit, and the Power of Storytelling - A Mother’s Cancer Journey with Justin Wineburgh
    Your support matters! Take action to propel progress in cancer science and medicine:
    - Donate to the AACR: Fuel lifesaving innovation by supporting cutting-edge cancer research at https://AACR.org/Give
    - Share this episode: Help amplify Justin’s story and advance research for the benefit of caregivers, survivors, and all those impacted by cancer
    - Subscribe to Believe in Progress: Find us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you listen
    Episode Summary:
    How far would you go to protect the person you love most in the world?
    In this emotional and inspiring episode, Justin Wineburgh, President and CEO of Alkemy X, sits down with host Mitch Stoller to share the extraordinary story of his mother Iris: a single mom of three, a “force of nature,” and a woman whose love defined his world.
    Justin reflects on the moment everything changed: Iris’s ovarian cancer diagnosis on December 30, 1999. From that day forward, he became not just her son, but her advocate, her caregiver, and her anchor. Together, they navigated hospital rooms, treatment plans, and the emotional landmines of uncertainty, while holding tightly to moments of laughter, love, and connection.
    Faced with heartbreak after hearing about his mother's diagnosis, Justin found purpose: immersing himself in cancer research, standing fiercely by his mother’s side, and eventually becoming a father himself just weeks after her death in 2024. Today, he carries her legacy forward through storytelling, empathy, and relentless hope.
    Episode Highlights:
    - Meeting Iris: A single mom of three boys and a fierce, vibrant woman remembered as “a force of nature”
    - The Diagnosis: How a flip phone call from a young resident changed their lives forever
    - The Cancer Journey: Chemotherapy, second opinions, and choosing to get care close to home in Philadelphia
    - Caregiver Realities: Rage, love, exhaustion, and learning that “no one knows nothing”
    - Life After Loss: Navigating grief, becoming a father, and wearing Iris’s belt as a daily reminder of love
    - Why Research Matters: The drug that helped in her final year didn’t exist when she was first diagnosed
    - A Son’s Message: “If you can get one extra day with your loved one because of research, it’s worth everything”
    Production Credits:
    Host: Mitch Stoller
    Guest: Justin Wineburgh
    Executive Producer: Anthony Lopes
    Executive Producer: Michael Leary
    Director: Anthony Lopes
    Creative Director / Director of Photography: Michael Leary
    Writer: Anthony Lopes
    Editor: Michael Leary
    Associate Producer: Heather Holland
    Believe in Progress is produced by CollegeCast LLC
    30 min
  • 055: Accelerating Innovation in Cancer Care through Strategic Thinking - Larry Kanarek
    Your support matters. Help us take action in the fight against cancer:
    - Donate to the AACR: Fuel innovation by supporting cutting-edge cancer research at https://AACR.org/Give
    - Share this episode: Help amplify Larry’s story and inspire action to advance cancer research
    - Listen and subscribe: Find Believe in Progress on Apple Podcasts, YouTube, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts
    How can strategic thinking transform not only companies but also cancer research?
    In this episode, Larry Kanarek, a retired senior partner from McKinsey & Company, joins Mitch Stoller to reflect on his high-stakes corporate work—most notably the transformation of Tyco—and the lessons he now brings to supporting lifesaving cancer research and advocacy.
    Larry talks with Mitch about his personal journey with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), including how pioneering cancer research and clinical trials gave him hope, time, and perspective. With insights from both the boardroom and the hospital room, Larry reminds us that progress happens when compassion and strategy work hand in hand.
    Episode Highlights:
    - Introduction to Strategic Thinking in Cancer Research
    - Larry Kanarek’s Journey to Consulting
    - The Tyco Transformation Story
    - Larry’s Personal Cancer Journey
    - Choosing Ibrutinib and a New Oncologist
    - Starting Ibrutinib and Clinical Trials
    - Achieving MRD Undetectable Status
    - Family Reactions and Support
    - Reflections on Cancer Research
    - Personal Stories and Family Influence
    - Impact of AI on Cancer Research
    - Closing Remarks and Gratitude
    Take Action: Support Cancer Research & Survivors
    - Donate to the AACR: Help advance the research that saves lives at https://AACR.org/Give
    - Share this episode: Someone in your network needs to hear Karlie’s story, so help us tell it by sharing it with them
    - Subscribe to Believe in Progress: Never miss a story that could inspire hope and action, you can find us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you listen
    Production Credits:
    Host: Mitch Stoller
    Guest: Larry Kanarek
    Executive Producer: Anthony Lopes
    Executive Producer: Michael Leary
    Director: Anthony Lopes
    Creative Director/Director of Photography: Michael Leary
    Writer: Anthony Lopes
    Editor: Michael Leary
    Associate Producer: Heather Holland
    Believe in Progress is produced by CollegeCast LLC
    37 min
  • 054: Grit, Gold, and Gratitude - Karlie Kisha’s Olympic Comeback and Cancer Journey
    Take Action: Help Accelerate Progress in Cancer Science and Medicine
    - Donate to the AACR: Fuel lifesaving innovation by supporting cutting-edge cancer research at https://AACR.org/Give
    - Share this episode: Inspire others by amplifying Karlie’s story of resilience and recovery in the face of cancer
    - Listen and subscribe: Find Believe in Progress on Apple Podcasts, YouTube, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts, and follow so you never miss an episode
    What does it take to survive cancer and still make it to the Olympics in a single year?
    In this inspiring episode of Believe in Progress, we sit down with Karlie Kisha: Olympian, papillary thyroid cancer survivor, and an assistant coach for the Villanova University field hockey team. Karlie takes us inside her incredible journey, from her cancer diagnosis just months before the Paris Olympic Games to representing the U.S. on the world stage.
    Her story is a masterclass in the power of determination, mindset, and belief in cancer research. Whether you're an athlete, a survivor, or someone in the midst of your own personal challenge, Karlie’s voice will remind you of what’s possible when you face adversity with courage and grace.
    Episode Highlights:
    Segment 1: Falling in Love with the Game
    Karlie shares her early passion for field hockey, her collegiate journey at the University of Connecticut, and how she set her sights on the Olympics.
    Segment 2: Diagnosis, Disruption, and Determination
    Just months before the Olympics, Karlie was diagnosed with papillary thyroid cancer. She discusses the whirlwind of emotions and the grit it took to keep her Olympic dreams alive.
    Segment 3: Recovery and Resilience
    From surgery to healing to elite-level competition, Karlie reflects on the physical and mental strength required to bounce back and perform on the sport’s biggest stage.
    Segment 4: Coaching, Mentorship, and the Next Chapter
    Now an assistant coach at Villanova, Karlie speaks about finding purpose beyond competition and why giving back means everything.
    Segment 5: Purpose, Gratitude, and Mental Toughness
    Karlie closes with reflections on gratitude, mental health, and how surviving cancer reframed her entire view on life and purpose.
    Take Action: Support Cancer Research & Survivors
    - Donate to the AACR: Help advance the research that saves lives at https://AACR.org/Give
    - Share this episode: Someone in your network needs to hear Karlie’s story, so help us tell it by sharing it with them
    - Subscribe to Believe in Progress: Never miss a story that could inspire hope and action, you can find us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you listen
    Production Credits:
    Host: Mitch Stoller
    Guest: Karlie Kisha
    Executive Producer: Anthony Lopes
    Executive Producer: Michael Leary
    Director: Anthony Lopes
    Creative Director/Director of Photography: Michael Leary
    Writer: Anthony Lopes
    Editor: Michael Leary
    Associate Producer: Heather Holland
    Believe in Progress is produced by CollegeCast LLC.
    31 min
  • 053: Advocating for the Future - Youth Empowerment, Philanthropy, and Progress Against Cancer
    Want to know how you can take action in the fight against cancer?
    Help the AACR accelerate progress:
    - Donate to the AACR: Fuel lifesaving innovation by supporting cutting-edge cancer research at www.AACR.org/Give.
    - Share this episode: Help amplify the message that strategic investments and scientific breakthroughs can change the future of cancer care.
    - Listen and subscribe: Find Believe in Progress on Apple Podcasts, YouTube, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts, and follow so you never miss an episode!
    In this episode of Believe in Progress, recorded live at the 2025 AACR Annual Meeting, we spotlight powerful stories of purpose, partnership, and personal experiences that propel action against cancer.
    Rodney and Erika McLeod, co-founders of Change Our Future, reflect on their personal cancer journeys and why they’re championing education, youth leadership, and cancer research through their growing partnership with the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR). NFL veteran and former Philadelphia Eagles safety Rodney McLeod shares how the loss of his grandmother to pancreatic cancer shaped his mission, while Erika opens up about her mother’s survivorship and their deep dedication to uplifting the next generation.
    We’re also joined by Stephen Ryan, President and Chairman of the AACR Foundation and longtime supporter of cancer research. Stephen discusses how personal loss became a catalyst for his advocacy and shares key insights about strategic giving, leadership, and the importance of funding early-stage research.
    Episode Highlights:
    Segment 1: Turning Loss into Purpose
    Rodney and Erika McLeod share how their personal connections to cancer inspired the founding of Change Our Future and their commitment to investing in the next generation.
    Segment 2: Partnering with the AACR to Inspire Young Scientists
    The McLeods speak about their involvement with the AACR’s high school program, empowering students to explore STEM and medical research as pathways to impact.
    Segment 3: Building Confidence Beyond the Classroom
    Through mentorship, leadership summits, and real-world skills, Change Our Future is equipping underserved youth with tools to succeed in life and career, including in cancer advocacy.
    Segment 4: Legacy, Strategy, and the Power of Philanthropy
    Stephen Ryan, President and Chairman of the AACR Foundation, discusses how cancer shaped his family’s legacy and how financial stewardship plays a key role in advancing cancer research.
    Segment 5: Broadening the Reach of Research
    Stephen reflects on the AACR’s reputation, the critical need to fund early-career scientists, and why the cancer research ecosystem must expand to reach more communities and have more potential.
    Production Credits:
    Host: Mitch Stoller
    Guests: Rodney McLeod, Erika McLeod, Stephen Ryan
    Executive Producer: Anthony Lopes
    Executive Producer: Michael Leary
    Director: Anthony Lopes
    Creative Director/Director of Photography: Michael Leary
    Writer: Anthony Lopes
    Editor: Michael Leary
    Associate Producer: Heather Holland
    Believe in Progress is produced by CollegeCast LLC.
    35 min
  • 052: Riding for Breath - The Power of Advocacy and a Family’s Labor of Love to Defeat Lung Cancer
    In this powerful episode of Believe in Progress, John Matthews, founder of Ride Hard Breathe Easy, and Jack Owens, a University of Notre Dame student, share their deeply personal journeys to fight lung cancer through action, advocacy, and cycling.
    Segment 1: A Promise Becomes a Mission
    John shares how a promise to his mother led to Ride Hard Breathe Easy and its first cross-country fundraising ride.
    Segment 2: A New Generation Joins the Ride
    Jack Owens talks about his current 3,600-mile solo ride across the U.S., honoring his grandmother and expanding the organization’s impact.
    Segment 3: Meeting Patients Where They Are
    They discuss how funding helps lung cancer patients with transportation and essential needs, making treatment possible.
    Segment 4: Breaking the Stigma
    John addresses the stigma around lung cancer and the importance of educating the public about its realities.
    Segment 5: The Power of Family and Community
    Reflections on the role of family, community, and support networks in sustaining the mission.
    Segment 6: Training, Dedication, and Lessons Learned
    Jack shares his physical and emotional preparation for the ride, and what keeps him going on the toughest days.
    Segment 7: What’s Next for Ride Hard Breathe Easy
    If you enjoyed this episode, here is how you can take action to advance cancer research:
    • Donate to the AACR: Fuel lifesaving innovation by supporting cutting-edge cancer research at https://AACR.org/Give
    • Visit https://www.rhbe.org to learn more about Ride Hard Breathe Easy or to make a donation
    • Share this episode to raise awareness for cancer patients or with someone you know who might benefit from hearing it
    • Subscribe to Believe in Progress on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you listen to podcasts
    Production Credits
    Host: Mitch Stoller
    Guests: John Matthews and Jack Owens
    Executive Producer: Anthony Lopes
    Executive Producer: Michael Leary
    Director: Anthony Lopes
    Creative Director/Director of Photography: Michael Leary
    Writer: Anthony Lopes
    Editor: Michael Leary
    Associate Producer: Heather Holland
    Believe in Progress is produced by CollegeCast LLC.
    24 min
  • 051: Running for Will - A Father’s Journey Through Grief, Resilience, and Advocacy
    In this emotional episode of Believe in Progress, host Mitch Stoller, Chief Philanthropic Officer at the AACR, is joined by Joe Krajewski, a father, runner, and advocate who transformed personal tragedy into a powerful mission. After losing his only child, Will, to osteosarcoma in 2016, Joe began running in Will’s memory as part of “Team Will Power,” raising vital funds and awareness in the fight against cancer.
    You will hear a deeply moving conversation, Joe reflects on love, grief, and legacy, and how a father’s promise has fueled ongoing advocacy, research support, and endurance racing. Whether you’ve experienced loss or simply want to be reminded of the strength of the human spirit, this episode will stay with you.
    Segment 1: A Father and Son Bonded by Running
    Joe shares heartfelt stories about his son Will—their special bond through running, Will’s contagious energy, and their memorable experience running the iconic Hood to Coast relay together.
    Segment 2: A Life-Altering Diagnosis
    Just weeks after Hood to Coast, Will was diagnosed with osteosarcoma. Joe recounts the moment of diagnosis, navigating treatments, and the endurance lessons that carried them through.
    Segment 3: Team Will Power and the Legacy of Advocacy
    The founding of Team Will Power marked a turning point. Joe explains how the team became a tribute to Will and a platform for cancer awareness, resilience, and generosity.
    Segment 4: Grief, Reflection, and the Endurance to Keep Going
    Joe opens up about living with grief, finding healing through running and writing, and how Will’s legacy continues to inspire his advocacy and outlook.
    Segment 5: The Meaning of Progress
    Joe reflects on the power of community, memory, and the AACR’s mission to advance lifesaving science—and what it means to ‘Believe in Progress.’
    Take Action: Support Childhood Cancer Research
    Donate to the AACR: Fuel lifesaving innovation by supporting cutting-edge cancer research at https://AACR.org/Give
    Share this episode: Help spread Will’s story and honor the strength of families impacted by childhood cancer.
    Subscribe to Believe in Progress on Apple Podcasts, YouTube, Spotify, or wherever you enjoy podcasts.
    Production Credits
    Host: Mitch Stoller
    Guest: Joe Krajewski
    Executive Producer: Anthony Lopes
    Executive Producer: Michael Leary
    Director: Anthony Lopes
    Creative Director/Director of Photography: Michael Leary
    Writer: Anthony Lopes
    Editor: Michael Leary
    Associate Producer: Heather Holland
    Believe in Progress is produced by CollegeCast LLC.
    36 min

About Believe in Progress: an American Association for Cancer Research Foundation Podcast

From the publisher's feed

Welcome to Believe in Progress, the American Association for Cancer Research Foundation's podcast. Join us as we share stories of hope and inspiration that will lift your spirits and remind you that no matter how difficult your cancer journey may be, there's always hope. On this podcast, we'll explore the latest breakthroughs in cancer research and hear from leading experts who are working tirelessly to find new treatments and cures in the fight against cancer.