Donna Orender has been an inspiring, driving force in women’s sports. A lifelong basketball player, Donna began playing professionally – in the first professional women’s basketball league - in 1979. Her career took her across the sports world — as a television producer for ABC Sports, senior vice president of strategic development for the PGA Tour, and commissioner of the WNBA. Today, Donna serves on the board of the V Foundation and is the founder of Generation W, a community with the mission to educate, inspire, connect, and fuel the power of women’s leadership. She believes in the power of sports and storytelling to create community and promote innovative change.

Chaunte Lowe is an inspiration. As a four-time Olympic high-jumper, breast cancer survivor, mom, and public speaker, Chaunte has a lot to share about how to work hard, overcome obstacles, and give back in the process. On this episode, Jon Alhart talks with Chaunte about winning an Olympic medal, the story of her breast cancer diagnosis and how it impacted her family, and her excitement about the Title IX Luncheon at The V Foundation’s 24th Wine Celebration Event in Napa Valley, California.

In 2014, Devon Still‘s life changed forever when his daughter Leah was diagnosed with Neuroblastoma stage 4 cancer. In the midst of his NFL career as a defensive end for the Cincinnati Bengals, Devon stopped playing to focus on his daughter and her recovery. During Leah’s treatment, Still became a champion for cancer research and raised $1 million by selling his jersey. On today’s show, Devon Still shares the story of Leah’s cancer journey, how spending time with other families helped him feel less alone during his daughter’s treatment, and more details about the upcoming V Foundation’s 24th Annual Wine Celebration in Napa, California, where Devon will co-host with Coach K.

Noah Reeb was diagnosed with brain cancer in February 2021. During his treatments, watching his favorite NFL player, Tom Brady, helped Noah pass the hours in the hospital. When Noah’s treatment ended, he attended a Buccaneers game with a homemade sign that read “Tom Brady helped me beat cancer.” Inspired by his courage, Brady gifted Noah and his dad tickets to the Super Bowl. Here today to share his story of resilience and friendship is Noah Reeb!

Dr. Shruti Naik leads a laboratory at New York University’s Langone Health that focuses on three major research areas: inflammation, tissue regeneration, and cancer, host-microbe interactions, and early in-life immunity. She is also a V Scholar Grant Recipient. On today’s show, host Mick McDonald talks to Dr. Naik about the importance of cutting-edge research in solving hard problems and why donating to cancer research efforts is essential in breaking new ground.

On today’s episode, host Mick McDonald talks with Rannen Roberson, the Associate Director of Student-Athlete Support Services at the University of Cincinnati. Rannen shares his journey of being diagnosed with testicular cancer, undergoing chemotherapy, and how his understanding of cancer research has evolved as he fights against his cancer diagnosis.

On today’s episode, host Mick McDonald talks with longtime sportscaster for the University of Maryland, Johnny Holliday. Johnny shares the story of his grandson Jack’s battle with cancer and the toll that took on his entire family. He also reflects on some unforgettable moments in his career including covering the Olympics, as well as his memories of Jim Valvano in the ACC.

Ray Cole is a long-time TV executive and supporter of the V Foundation. Ray's new book, Hangin' with Winners, features 32 profiles of impactful people and organizations. The V Foundation is classified as one of the five featured "winning organizations" in Ray's book. In this episode, Ray and Mick talk about Ray's longtime friendship with Dick Vitale, the process of writing his first book, and what being a winner means. 

Jamie Valvano is not only the daughter of Jim Valvano, but she's also a cancer survivor and an inspirational speaker. In this episode, Mick and Jamie chat about the precious moments Jamie spent with her dad on the road after he received his cancer diagnosis, how she believes he prophetically spoke to her in his famous ESPY speech, and the legacy that her dad has left with the V Foundation for Cancer Research.

On this episode of the Voices for Victory Podcast, host Mick McDonald talks to Daryn Young. Daryn works for Constellation Brands in the beer division. Over the years, Constellation Brands has helped raise millions in support of the V Foundation. Not only is Daryn a long-time supporter of the V Foundation, but he's also a cancer survivor himself. 
 
Mick and Daryn talk about Daryn's battle with cancer, the partnership between Constellation Brands and the V Foundation, and how the March Madness tournament serves as an impetus for a huge fundraising push for the V Foundation and the incredible research that is being funded by our organization.

Together with its distributor partners, Corona is proud to honor Coach V’s memory, having contributed over $21 million in donations and marketing support since 2010 — including over $1.6 million in donations in 2021 alone.
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In each episode, host Mick McDonald talks to courageous and impactful people who have been touched by cancer or who are leading cutting-edge cancer research – and sometimes both. 

Welcome to this week’s episode. We're so happy you’re here. If you want to make sure you stay up to date with the podcast and with the V Foundation, be sure to subscribe to the show wherever you get your podcasts.