Believe in Progress: an AACR Foundation Podcast
Episodes
061: Competing Against Cancer - Pickleball Pro Steve Dawson’s Journey of Resilience
17 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What happens when an elite athlete, known for his focus and discipline, faces a life-changing diagnosis? In this inspiring episode of Believe in Progr...
060: Reimagining Cancer Survivorship and Leading with Heart - Suzanne Stone
03 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 epi...
059: Leading the Future of Cancer Science with Dr. Matthew G. Vander Heiden and Dr. Inesa Huivaniuk - from the AACR Annual Meeting 2025:
19 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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? I...
058: Running Toward Hope - Rhett Austell’s Race Against Cancer
05 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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, ...
057: Resilience in Pink: Two Survivors on Cancer Early Detection and Advocacy
15 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Your support matters. Help accelerate progress against cancer: - Donate to the AACR: Fuel lifesaving cancer research at https://AACR.org/Give. - S...
056: Grief, Grit, and the Power of Storytelling - A Mother’s Cancer Journey with Justin Wineburgh
01 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Your support matters! Take action to propel progress in cancer science and medicine: - Donate to the AACR: Fuel lifesaving innovation by supporting...
055: Accelerating Innovation in Cancer Care through Strategic Thinking - Larry Kanarek
17 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Your support matters. Help us take action in the fight against cancer: - Donate to the AACR: Fuel innovation by supporting cutting-edge cancer res...
054: Grit, Gold, and Gratitude - Karlie Kisha’s Olympic Comeback and Cancer Journey
03 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Take Action: Help Accelerate Progress in Cancer Science and Medicine - Donate to the AACR: Fuel lifesaving innovation by supporting cutting-edge ca...
053: Advocating for the Future - Youth Empowerment, Philanthropy, and Progress Against Cancer
20 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Want to know how you can take action in the fight against cancer? Help the AACR accelerate progress: - Donate to the AACR: Fuel lifesaving inn...
052: Riding for Breath - The Power of Advocacy and a Family’s Labor of Love to Defeat Lung Cancer
06 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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,...
051: Running for Will - A Father’s Journey Through Grief, Resilience, and Advocacy
16 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this emotional episode of Believe in Progress, host Mitch Stoller, Chief Philanthropic Officer at the AACR, is joined by Joe Krajewski, a father, r...
050: Why Cancer Research Needs Every Voice – Mitch Stoller
02 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this special 50th episode of Believe in Progress, Mitch Stoller, the host of Believe in Progress and Chief Philanthropic Officer of the AACR, sits ...
049: Why Investing in the Future of Cancer Research is Important - Dr. Chris Bardon & Mark Haefele
18 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This episode of Believe in Progress brings together two individuals leading global investments in cancer research: Dr. Christiana Bardon of MPM BioImp...
048: Live from the AACR Annual Meeting 2025 – Stories of Resilience in the Battle Against Cancer
04 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This special episode of Believe in Progress, recorded live at the AACR Annual Meeting 2025 in Chicago, features two compelling conversations that spot...
047: LIVE from the 2025 AACR Annual Meeting - Stories of Innovation and Hope from the Frontlines of Cancer Research
21 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This special episode of Believe in Progress, recorded live at the 2025 AACR Annual Meeting in Chicago, features dynamic conversations with researchers...
046: How Innovation Is Transforming the Fight Against Cancer - with Dr. Ajit Singh
07 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What happens when deep science meets bold cancer-fighting innovation? In this episode of Believe in Progress, we sit down with Dr. Ajit Singh—Ma...
045: Thriving Through Cancer - Chef AJ on Nutrition, Resilience, and Her Lung Cancer Journey
16 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this powerful and deeply personal episode of Believe in Progress, the podcast presented by the American Association for Cancer Research Foundation,...
044: Innovations in the Fight Against Pediatric Cancer - Dr. Kris Ann P. Schultz
02 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
How can new approaches to early detection make a difference for children at risk of rare cancers? In this episode of Believe in Progress, brought to y...
043: Inside the Breakthroughs - Dr. William Pao on Life-Changing Medicines
19 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What does it take to turn a scientific discovery into a treatment that changes lives? On this episode of Believe in Progress, the podcast brought to y...
042: Meryl Uranga’s Mission to Accelerate Kidney Cancer Research
05 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
How does a kidney cancer diagnosis lead to a life-changing mission? On this episode of Believe in Progress, a podcast of the AACR Foundation, host Mit...
041: Humor and Resilience in The Fight Against Brain Cancer - Bryan Bishop
19 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What happens when a devastating brain cancer diagnosis collides with a sharp comedic mind? You get Bryan Bishop—a podcasting icon, bestselling autho...
040: Shining Brightly Against Cancer - Howard Brown’s Next Chapter
05 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Howard Brown is living proof that resilience is more than a mindset—it’s a survival strategy. As a two-time stage IV cancer survivor, tech entrepr...
039: Live from the AACR Philadelphia Marathon 2024 - Stories of Resilience (Part 2)
22 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this special live episode of the Believe in Progress podcast, host Mitch Stoller takes us to the heart of the AACR Philadelphia Marathon. Against t...
038: Live from the AACR Philadelphia Marathon 2024 - Stories of Resilience (Part 1)
08 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this special live episode of the Believe in Progress podcast, host Mitch Stoller takes us to the heart of the AACR Philadelphia Marathon. Against t...
037: H.O.P.E. Is a Strategy - Overcoming Brain Cancer - Jason Tharp
19 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this inspiring episode of the Believe in Progress podcast, host Mitch Stoller, Chief Philanthropic Officer at the American Association for Cancer R...
036: The Strength of Friendship in the Fight Against Cancer - Dave Clark and Steve Hatlestad
04 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this deeply personal episode of the Believe in Progress podcast, host Mitch Stoller, Chief Philanthropic Officer at the AACR, sits down with two of...
035: Innovation in the Fight Against Glioblastoma - Michael Hugo
20 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the Believe in Progress podcast, host Mitch Stoller, Chief Philanthropic Officer at the AACR, talks with Michael Hugo, a remarkable...
034: Fighting Rare Kidney Cancers - Katie Coleman and Dr. Pavlos Msaouel
06 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this inspirational episode of the Believe in Progress Podcast, host Mitch Stoller, Chief Philanthropic Officer at the American Association for Canc...
033: Michael A. Nutter - Advocating for Public Health and Cancer Care
16 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the Believe in Progress podcast, our host Mitch Stoller, Chief Philanthropic Officer at the American Association for Cancer Researc...
032: From Storytelling to Saving Lives - Kristen Dahlgren’s Mission to Accelerate a Breast Cancer Vaccine
02 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the Believe in Progress Podcast, host Mitch Stoller, Chief Philanthropic Officer at the AACR, sits down with Kristen Dahlgren, a fo...
031: Transforming Lives - Rick Sontag's Journey in Brain Tumor Research and Advocacy
18 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the Believe in Progress podcast, we are joined by Rick Sontag, the president and founder of The Sontag Foundation and the Brain Tum...
030: Revolutionizing Cancer Treatment - Inside Novocure’s Tumor Treating Fields Therapy (TTFIELDS®) with Frank Leonard and Moshe Giladi, PhD
04 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the Believe in Progress Podcast, our host Mitch Stoller, Chief Philanthropic Officer at the American Association for Cancer Researc...
029: From Diagnosis to the Finish Line - Alan Kaufman’s Journey of Resilience
21 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this powerful episode of the Believe in Progress Podcast, we are joined by Alan Kaufman, a former Northwell patient who overcame a near-fatal battl...
028: Transforming Cancer Research with Project GENIE - A Conversation with Shawn M. Sweeney, PhD, and Dr. Philippe L. Bedard
07 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the Believe in Progress podcast, we delve into the transformative potential of AACR Project GENIE. Our Chief Philanthropic Officer ...
027: Accelerating Cancer Research - Dr. Raymond DuBois and Dr. Ryan Schoenfeld
17 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the Believe in Progress podcast, host Mitch Stoller, Chief Philanthropic Officer at the AACR, speaks with Dr. Raymond DuBois and Dr...
026: Driving Diversity in Cancer Research - Insights from Dr. William Pao and Dr. Lillian L. Siu
03 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the Believe in Progress podcast, host Mitch Stoller, Chief Philanthropic Officer at the AACR, speaks with Dr. William Pao and Dr. L...
025: Celebrating Survivorship - Best of Survivor Stories - Part 2
19 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to a second special episode of the Believe in Progress Podcast, from the AACR Foundation. June is National Cancer Survivor Month. Join us as w...
024: Celebrating Survivorship - Best of Survivor Stories - Part 1
05 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to a special edition of the Believe in Progress podcast from the AACR Foundation. June is National Cancer Survivor Month. Join us as we #celeb...
023: Resilience and Holistic Healing – Julie Kramer's Journey Beyond Cancer
15 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Episode Summary: In this episode of the Believe in Progress podcast, we talk with Julie Kramer, a stage 4 synovial sarcoma survivor, Reiki practiti...
022: Laughter as Medicine - Saranne Rothberg's ComedyCures Journey
01 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Remember to visit www.AACR.org to make a donation or to find helpful information and resources. Together, we can make progress against the collections...
021: Broadcasting Hope - John Kincade’s Triumph Over Cancer and His Mission to Raise Awareness
17 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Remember to visit www.AACR.org to make a donation or to find helpful information and resources. Together, we can make progress against the collections...
020: Mary Gloria Orji - Countering Cancer Misinformation in Nigeria
03 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Believe in Progress, we are speaking with Mary Gloria Orji, who was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 35. Mary confronted ...
019: Dr. Brian Rivers - Reducing Cancer Disparities Within the African American Community
20 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode, we are speaking with Dr. Brian Rivers, the Director of the Cancer Health Equity Institute at Morehouse School of Medicine (MSM). P...
018: Dr. Patricia LoRusso - Fighting the Battle Against Cancer Through Research
06 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode, we are speaking with Dr. Patricia LoRusso, a luminary in the field of medical oncology and drug development. Please do not forget ...
017: Andrea Wilson Woods - Better Off Bald and Blue Faery (The Adrienne Wilson Liver Cancer Association)
21 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode, we are speaking with Andrea Wilson Woods a keynote speaker, a writer who loves to tell stories, and a patient advocate who founded th...
016: Hayley Dinerman and Melissa Berry - Advocating for the Triple Negative Breast Cancer Community
07 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode, we are speaking with Hayley Dinerman (the Co-Founder and Executive Director of the Triple Negative Breast Cancer Foundation), and Mel...
015: Paul Stoller - Stranger in the Village of the Sick
17 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode, we are speaking with Paul Stoller, an American cultural anthropologist and professor of anthropology at West Chester University. ...
014: Matthew Marquardt - Using Sport to Make a Difference in Cancer Awareness and Fundraising
20 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode, we are speaking with Matthew Marquardt, a medical student and professional triathlete at the Ohio State University College Medicine. ...
013: Patti LaBelle - Using Her Iconic Voice to Help Raise Awareness for Cancer Research
06 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode, we are speaking with R&B icon Patti LaBelle. Please do not forget to visit www.aacr.org to make a donation or to find helpful inf...
012: Dr. Margaret Foti - Leading the AACR in the Fight Against Cancer
15 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode, we are speaking with Dr. Margaret Foti, the Chief Executive Officer of the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR), the firs...
011: Rabbi Benjamin David - Finding Hope and Resilience while Running for Research
01 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode, we are speaking with Rabbi Benjamin David. Rabbi Ben David is usually the one providing assistance to those in need, but following hi...
010: Donna James - Surviving Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
18 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode, we are speaking with Donna James. Donna is well-known for her pioneering spirit, leadership in the community, and excellence in execu...
009: Doug Ulman - Determined to See an End to Cancer
04 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode, we are speaking with Doug Ulman, the Chief Executive Officer of Pelotonia, which was established in 2008 with the objective to fund l...
008: Dr. Marianne Ritchie - Leading the Charge for Effective, Equitable, and Accessible Cancer Screenings
20 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode, we are speaking with Dr. Marianne Ritchie, one of the first women to practice gastroenterology in the Philadelphia region and a pione...
007: Marcus Smith II - Finding Help to Battle Anxiety and Depression
13 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode, we are speaking with Marcus Smith II, to coincide with Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. Picture spending years tirelessly striv...
006: Rob Butcher + Matt Vossler - Swim Across America for Cancer Research
23 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode, we are speaking with Rob Butcher and Matt Vossler, Both of these gentlemen are champions in awarding high risk-high reward cancer...
005: Sarah Happy - How to Maintain a Positive Attitude
09 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode, we are speaking with Sarah Happy, who is 38 years old and lives in Michigan with her husband, Noah and her two dogs Hugo and Nancy. S...
004: Ricki Fairley - Surviving and Thriving After Triple Negative Breast Cancer
26 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode, we are speaking with Ricki Fairley, the CEO and Co-Founder of TOUCH. She is also a Triple Negative Breast Cancer Survivor and Thriver...
003: Howard Brown - Shining Brightly - Finding Resilience and Hope from a Two-time Cancer Survivor
12 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode, we are speaking with Howard Brown, a Silicon Valley technology entrepreneur, with IPO exits, and who is a two-time stage four cancer ...
002: Trevor Maxwell - Man Up to Cancer
28 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Trevor Maxwell, 45, has been living with stage IV colon cancer since March of 2018. He has undergone five major surgeries, chemotherapy, immunotherapy...
001: Lauren Hart - The Power of Hope in the Face of Adversity
28 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Believe in Progress, the AACR Foundation Podcast, we have a special guest, Lauren Hart. You may know her as the voice behind the na...
000: Welcome to Believe in Progress
22 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to Believe in Progress, the American Association for Cancer Research Foundation's podcast. Join us as we share stories of hope and inspiration...