On today's episode of the Voices for Victory Podcast, host Mick McDonald talks with Jasmine McDonald, Ph.D. from Columbia University's Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center. 
 
Dr. McDonald's research on postpartum breast cancer was awarded a V Foundation Grant in 2021. The award goes to researchers who are working on projects that are designed to change the course of cancer. Dr. McDonald’s winning project will be supported by this V scholar grant for two years.

This is the Voices for Victory Podcast, brought to you by the V Foundation for Cancer Research - welcome to this week’s episode! On this episode, Mick chats with former president of ESPN and long-time V Foundation board member, George Bodenheimer,  

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. 

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.

To learn more about the work we’re doing in the fight against cancer, visit v.org. 

As we wrap up a successful year, we chat with a few of the many V Foundation donors who allow us to fund the best and brightest researchers in the fight against cancer! In our last episode of Voices for Victory, we hear from Monet Leyva, Will Reeves and Brittany Bello and the personal journeys that lead each of them to their commitment to supporting cancer research and why they chose the V Foundation as the vehicle for that support.

As the year comes to close, consider a tax-deductible donation to the V Foundation. 100% of your direct donation funds game-changing cancer research. To donate, visit v.org/donate 

For #GivingTuesday and as we launch V Week, we're talking with ESPN's Jay Harris. Jay has been with ESPN for nearly two decades and knows firsthand what it means to be right in the mix with V Week. We chat with him about his personal connection to cancer, the influence that Stuart Scott had on other black broadcasters and the importance of taking on disparities in cancer.   

If you'd like to join us in funding game-changing cancer research, please visit v.org/donate.  

On today's episode, we talk with ESPN Senior Vice President of Programming and Acquisitions Ilan Ben-Hanan. Ilan is a three-time cancer survivor and was an instrumental voice in conceptualizing what is now ESPN's V Week. Ben-Hanan was initially reserved about sharing his personal cancer story with colleagues at ESPN, but was so moved by a speech from Mike Krzyzewski at the annual Dick Vitale Gala that he rose to his feet when Coach K called for survivors to stand.

We talk with Ilan about his diagnoses, the first of which occurred as a senior in college, the mental toughness it takes when you face an additional diagnosis years later, and how V Week went from an idea to the fundraising and awareness giant it is today.

Tune in for this year's V Week on ESPN beginning on #GivingTuesday (November 30) through Dec.13. And please consider a donation to life-saving cancer research at v.org/donate. 

As we approach V Week, we are very excited to be rolling out a new event. BOO-YAH A Celebration of Stuart Scott will take place on Monday, December 6th in New York City. The event will benefit the Stuart Scott Memorial Cancer Research Fund which is dedicated to reducing disparities in cancer outcomes and funding underrepresented minority scientists. A special thanks to our sponsors who have made this event possible including presenting sponsors Bristol Myers Squibb and Disney Ad Sales.

Today, we speak with Susan Scott, a committee member for the new event and Stuart's sister. We talk to Susan about what it was like growing up with Stuart, how the family handled his celebrity status while fighting cancer and what we can expect from the event in December. 

To learn more about the Stuart Scott Memorial Cancer Fund at the V Foundation, please visit https://www.v.org/research/stuart-scott-memorial-cancer-research-fund. 


 

As October winds down, we continue our emphasis on Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The V Foundation is committed to fund cutting-edge breast cancer research and to date has awarded more than $29 million in research grants for breast cancer. More research means more breakthroughs which means more survivors.

Today, we speak with breast cancer survivor Asha Miller. Asha was in the best shape of her life and just 33-years-old when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. After numerous treatments and surgeries, she now advocates for more research that could help save more lives. We speak with Asha about the day she was diagnosed, her long journey through treatment and what she hopes the future holds for others facing this disease. 

To make a donation to life-saving cancer research, please visit v.org.  

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. So, today we're talking breast cancer. Specifically, we're focusing on BRCA gene mutations with BRCA Foundation Founder & Chair of the V Foundation Board of Directors Evan Goldberg.  We speak to Evan about what motivated him to get involved in cancer research, what his first year as Board Chair has been like and what he sees for the future of the V Foundation.  

To make a donation to live-saving cancer research, visit www.v.org. 

As we close out Pediatric Cancer Awareness Month, we are so excited to chat with WWE Superstar Kofi Kingston about his plans to take down one tough opponent: pediatric cancer  

Tune as he tells us why pediatric cancer research is so important to him, what it was like experiencing some of the best moments of his career with his kids, and his Fantasy Football league with fellow Superstar the Miz that will support Connor’s Cure.

To learn more about how the V Foundation supports pediatric cancer research or to make a donation, please visit v.org. 

September is Pediatric Cancer Awareness Month. Sadly, more 15,000 kids and adolescents are diagnosed with cancer each year in the U.S. In fact, cancer is the leading disease-related cause of death in the U.S. of children over 1-year-old. That's one reason we are working so hard to fund more life-saving research through the Dick Vitale Fund for Pediatric Cancer Research which has funded nearly $55 million in grants to date. 

Today, we speak with Michael Wiggins. When his son Cannon was just 20-months-old, he was diagnosed with stage 4 neuroblastoma and given a 50% chance of survival. Thankfully, Cannon recently celebrated his 10th birthday. We'll talk to Michael about how he dealt with his son's diagnosis, the twists and turns of the cancer journey and what advice he would give to parents whose children are taking on cancer.

This September, consider a donation to the Dick Vitale Fund for Pediatric Cancer Research by visiting https://www.v.org/research/specialfunds/pediatrics.