FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Date: July 21, 2021

Contact: Valerie Solomon

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.cannonballkidscancer.org

Facebook: @cannonballingcancer

 

Valerie Solomon Named Interim Executive Director of Cannonball Kids’ cancer Foundation

A Nationwide Search for the Next Executive Director is Underway

ORLANDO, Fla. – Orlando-based non-profit, Cannonball Kids’ cancer Foundation (CKc), announced today that Valerie Solomon has been named the interim executive director as CKc searches for a new executive director.

Solomon will be leading several upcoming initiatives for CKc, until a new executive director is named, such as 2021’s research grants cycle and an education campaign for National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month this September.

Solomon previously served as director of public relations under CKc’s prior executive director, Karen Revels, who transitioned to president and CEO of Junior Achievement earlier this month.

“The Board of Directors was unanimous in choosing Val to be the interim executive director,” said CKc Board Chair, Michael Wiggins. “We have an opportunity now to take CKc to another level to fund research in pediatric forms of cancer, and this transition to a new executive director is a vital step in that process. We are so appreciative that Val has stepped in to keep CKc thriving while we search for our next executive director. Val has been making an impact at CKc since she joined our staff more than two years ago, building out internal systems and crafting the impact stories we share with our donors. She is the perfect choice to lead the organization through this transition.”

“I’m honored to step in at such a pivotal time in CKc’s history,” said Solomon. “It’s imperative that we remain supportive to our researchers and the children on their clinical trials. Our grants cycle is open and we have education initiatives that are also top priority. We’re on the right track with our fundraising initiatives and I’m confident that our team can excel during this transition and set the next executive director up for success.”

Solomon is a 15-year veteran of the nonprofit sector who has served diverse missions including arts and culture, education, health, social justice and social services. Solomon has worked with young, start-up nonprofits as well as long-established organizations and her experience includes roles in program/direct services, recruitment, retention, fundraising, marketing/communications, volunteer management and organizational management.

The CKc board of directors has named a search committee to lead a nationwide search for the new executive director. The search committee consists of Michael Wiggins, CKc co-founder and board chair, McDonald Toole Wiggins P.A.; Melissa Wiggins, CKc co-founder, MelissaWiggins.Life; Bruce Parker, CKc vice-chair, Venable LLP; Brian Hanafin, Holland & Knight; Kay Rawlins, Orlando City Foundation; and Whitney Brittain, Dentistry of Old Town Scottsdale. The committee has already received hundreds of applications and are working on a short list of 30 candidates. The committee hopes to complete interviews with the top 5 – 10 candidates in August.

 

About Cannonball Kids’ cancer Foundation:

Cannonball Kids’ cancer Foundation’s mission is to fund innovative and accessible research for children fighting cancer to provide better treatments and quality of life, and to educate for change. Their rigorous, relationship-based, invite-only grants process ensures that 92% of CKc-funded trials are first-of-their-kind in the US. To date, CKc has awarded $2.4 million funding 24 research grants creating 593 options for treatment for children in 25 states, DC, Canada, Scotland, and Switzerland.

 

[EDITOR’S NOTE: The “c” in cancer in the name Cannonball Kids’ cancer Foundation is intentionally lowercase to give the word “cancer” an inferior status.]