Game Over: c*ncer

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/

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/

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/

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/

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/

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/

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/

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 remission, Tayler shares how cancer has shaped her life across childhood, adolescence, and early adulthood.

Through the powerful visual of her Beads of Courage, Tayler walks us through the realities of pediatric cancer treatment: countless hospital stays, chemotherapy treatments, surgeries, therapies, and the lifelong effects survivors carry.

Despite facing cancer three times, Tayler continues to pursue a future in medicine. She is currently studying biology on the pre-med track at the University of South Florida and works as an anesthesiology technician at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital, the same hospital where she received treatment.

This episode explores the realities of survivorship, the long-term impact of pediatric cancer, and the relentless courage it takes to keep moving forward.

If you’ve ever wondered what pediatric cancer survivorship truly looks like, Tayler’s story will stay with 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/

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 fundraising for Cannonball Kids’ cancer Foundation (CKc) helped her:

• Launch her small business
• Surpass her fundraising goal
• Step into advocacy
• Bring her family and community together
• Discover her purpose in giving back

From the Maitland Farmers Market to Walt Disney World® Marathon Weekend to speaking up about pediatric cancer research funding, Hannah’s story proves you don’t need deep pockets or a huge platform to make a real impact.

You just need to jump in.

This episode is about resilience, community, advocacy, small business growth, women supporting women, and how ordinary people can help transform pediatric cancer research.

If you’ve ever wondered how to get involved, how to fundraise without “asking for money,” or how to turn passion into purpose, this one is for you.

Follow Socks N' Such at:
Instagram @socksnsuch25
Website: socksnsuch.net


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Connect with Dana: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danaknichols/


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

Secure your 2027 Walt Disney World® Marathon Weekend bib: 
https://cannonballkidscancer.org/2025/02/run-disney/

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

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 every second of it.

Julie is an assistant professor at the University of Central Florida and a certified speech-language pathologist. But most importantly, she is Mara’s mom. In this episode, she shares what it was like navigating her daughter’s B-cell ALL leukemia diagnosis, enduring treatment during COVID isolation, and entering the complicated phase of cancer survivorship.

We talk about:
• The emotional toll of pediatric cancer on parents and marriage
• Living in crisis mode during treatment
• The trauma and isolation of COVID-era hospital stays
• The role of research in increasing childhood leukemia survival rates
• Why continued funding for pediatric cancer research matters
• What survivorship really looks like years after treatment ends
• Letting survivors define their own identity beyond cancer

Julie reflects on the tension between relief and fear in survivorship, the long-term side effects of chemotherapy, and the importance of investing in the next generation of scientists so that childhood cancer can one day be eradicated.

Mara’s story is proof that research works. But this episode is a reminder that the work is not finished.

If you believe in advancing pediatric cancer research, supporting families, and turning fear into courage, this conversation 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/