Author: Valerie Solomon

The Internship That Made Me Rethink My Career

June 3, 2026
Valerie Solomon

For many college students, internships are viewed as a stepping stone to gain experience and prepare for a future career. Sometimes, however, an internship can become something more. It becomes an...

The Human Side of Pediatric Cancer Research

June 1, 2026
Valerie Solomon

In pediatric brain cancer research, progress is driven by collaboration. In Episode 51 of the Game Over: c*ncer, hosts Dana Nichols and Val Solomon sit down with Dr. John Prensner, pediatric...

New Treatment Hope for Rare Childhood Leukemia

May 31, 2026
Valerie Solomon

In Episode 49 of the Game Over: c*ncer, hosts Dana Nichols and Val Solomon sit down with Dr. Elliot Stieglitz, an associate professor of pediatrics at the UCSF School of Medicine and a pediatric...

What Happens When Standard Treatment Stops Working?

May 26, 2026
Valerie Solomon

When you think about childhood cancer treatment, do you imagine a clear path? Diagnosis. Treatment. Recovery. It seems simple, that’s how it should be. But for many families, that is not the...

The Hidden Work Behind Fundraising for Pediatric Cancer Research

April 24, 2026
Valerie Solomon

In Episode 48 of the Game Over: c*ncer, hosts Dana Nichols and Val Solomon sit down with Amy Robertson. CKc’s development assistant shares the nitty-gritty of the work behind raising funds for...

How Poverty Impacts Childhood Cancer

April 3, 2026
Valerie Solomon

In Episode 47 of the Game Over: c*ncer, hosts Dana Nichols and Val Solomon sit down with Dr. Kira Bona, a pediatric oncologist interested in social determinants of health for kids in cancer...

Research updates: Spring 2026

March 27, 2026
Valerie Solomon

Each year, CKc funds innovative research projects, committing to three years of support for every grant awarded. As part of this investment, researchers submit annual reports detailing the progress...

Diagnosed at 4, 13, and 18: Tayler’s Relentless Fight

March 25, 2026
Valerie Solomon

In Episode 46 of the Game Over: c*ncer, hosts Dana Nichols and Val Solomon sit down with Tayler Ellison. A three-time cancer survivor, Tayler shares her story of resilience and perseverance with...

Women Supporting Women Through Fitness & Philanthropy

March 9, 2026
Valerie Solomon

In Episode 45 of the Game Over: c*ncer, hosts Dana Nichols and Val Solomon sit down with Hannah Hunt. hosts Dana Nichols and Val Solomon sit down with Hannah Hunt, an Orlando entrepreneur and owner...

EA Ramey

March 4, 2026
Valerie Solomon

Rosene Johnson

March 4, 2026
Valerie Solomon

Sean Gerlin

March 4, 2026
Valerie Solomon

Treatment, Survivorship, and Family Part 2

February 20, 2026
Valerie Solomon

In Episode 44 of the Game Over: c*ncer, hosts Dana Nichols and Val Solomon sit down with Julie Feuerstein. Julie is an assistant professor in the School of Communication Sciences and Disorders at...

PART 1: Treatment, Survivorship, and Family

February 9, 2026
Valerie Solomon

In Episode 43 of the Game Over: c*ncer, hosts Dana Nichols and Val Solomon sit down with Mara Feuerstein. Mara was diagnosed with B-cell ALL at age 6 and is now in middle school. This amazing young...

Elliot Stieglitz

February 4, 2026
Valerie Solomon

Sneha Ramakrishna

February 4, 2026
Valerie Solomon

Michele Redell

February 4, 2026
Valerie Solomon

Jessica Tsai

February 3, 2026
Valerie Solomon

John Prensner

February 3, 2026
Valerie Solomon

Upcoming Tax Law Changes Could Affect YOUR Charitable Giving

November 5, 2025
Valerie Solomon

Beginning in 2026, significant changes will impact itemized deductions for charitable contributions. These include a new 0.5% adjusted gross income (AGI) floor, meaning only donations exceeding...

Surrender, Strength, and Purpose: Lessons from Maria Ochoa of Mia’s Miracles

October 30, 2025
Valerie Solomon

In Episode 38 of the Game Over: c*ncer, hosts Dana Nichols and Val Solomon sit down with Maria Ochoa, co-founder and president of Mia’s Miracles Foundation, which she created with her husband,...

Defeating DIPG: A Conversation with ChadTough’s Co-founder Tammi Carr

October 15, 2025
Valerie Solomon

In Episode 37 of the Game Over: c*ncer, hosts Dana Nichols and Val Solomon sit down with Tammi Carr, co-founder of ChadTough Defeat DIPG Foundation. Tammi speaks about her son Chad, a bright and...

Survivorship is worth fighting for all year long

September 29, 2025
Valerie Solomon

Awareness months may spark important conversations, but kids and families face pediatric cancer every single day. That’s why even though September is ending, our work, and yours as a community of...

runDisney Crew: Why we run

August 29, 2025
Valerie Solomon

Every mile tells a story. For our runners, crossing the starting line isn’t just about fitness or fun. It’s about purpose. Each step is powered by the names, faces, and memories of children who...

Your Ripple Goes Beyond The Gold Ribbon

August 29, 2025
Valerie Solomon

Thank you for committing to taking action this pediatric cancer awareness month! 1. Contact your congressional members. Tell them that gutting the cancer research budget by 37% is unacceptable....

A Decade of Discovery with Dr. Cassie Kline

August 29, 2025
Valerie Solomon

In this episode of Game Over: c*ncer, co-hosts Dana Nichols and Val Solomon sit down with Dr. Cassie Kline, attending physician and Director of Clinical Research in the Department of Neuro-Oncology...

Going Beyond the Ribbon: 10 Truths to Know This Pediatric Cancer Awareness Month

August 21, 2025
Valerie Solomon

Pediatric cancer is the #1 disease killer of children in the United States. Yet only 4% of federal cancer research funding is allocated to pediatric cancers. That means most treatments for kids are...

Beyond the Gold Ribbon: MAJOR CUTS to kids’ cancer research in 2026 Federal Budget

August 21, 2025
Valerie Solomon

When it comes to curing cancer, especially for children, progress doesn’t just depend on brilliant minds. It depends on steady, sustained funding. Unfortunately, the proposed 2026 federal budget...

Pediatric Cancer Isn’t Rare. But Research Funding Still Is.

August 21, 2025
Valerie Solomon

Every year, an estimated 400,000 children and adolescents worldwide are diagnosed with cancer.1 In the United States alone, an estimated 14,910 children and teens were diagnosed with cancer in 2024...

How to Become a Nonprofit Board Member: 7 Lessons from Clifton Scott

August 19, 2025
Valerie Solomon

In our latest Game Over: c*ncer episode, host Dana Nichols and Val Solomon sat down with Clifton Scott, Chief Operating Officer at AdventHealth Flagler and St. John’s Market, dedicated community...

From Attendees to Leaders: Dr. Michelle and Nick Norden on the power of partnerships in philanthropy

August 8, 2025
Valerie Solomon

At Cannonball Kids’ cancer Foundation, we believe there’s a place for everyone in the fight against pediatric cancer. In our latest Game Over: c*ncer episode, we sat down with Nick and Michelle...

Saying Yes, No Matter What: Leadership, Philanthropy, and the Ripple Effect at CKC

July 22, 2025
Valerie Solomon

In the heart of every impactful movement lies a deceptively simple decision: to say yes—even when you’re unsure of the outcome. In Episode 31 of the Game Over: c*ncer, hosts Dana Nichols and Val...

Be a future-maker for kids like Grace

July 14, 2025
Valerie Solomon

At the end of last year, we introduced CKc donors to Grace—a bright, determined teen and pediatric cancer survivor—whose story inspired so many during our year-end campaign. Today, we’re thrilled...

Pediatric cancer survivor turned research advocate: Jasan Zimmerman on cancer, mental health, and making an impact

July 7, 2025
Valerie Solomon

A three-time survivor reflects on his journey through treatment, survivorship, science, and service—and what it means to really “show up” after cancer. When we sat down to talk...

Grace’s Next Chapter: From Fighter to Future Healer

June 18, 2025
Valerie Solomon

At the end of last year, we introduced you to Grace—a bright, determined teen and pediatric cancer survivor—whose story inspired so many during our year-end campaign. Today, we’re thrilled to...

Andy’s Battle with Osteosarcoma

May 7, 2025
Valerie Solomon

CKc Funding in the West

May 1, 2025
Valerie Solomon

When most people think of Orlando, Florida, they think of sunshine, theme parks, and vacation dreams. But nestled in this vibrant city is the headquarters of a nonprofit that’s working...

CKc’s Funding in the North

May 1, 2025
Valerie Solomon

When most people think of Orlando, Florida, they think of sunshine, theme parks, and vacation dreams. But nestled in this vibrant city is the headquarters of a nonprofit that’s working...

CKc’s Funding in the South

May 1, 2025
Valerie Solomon

When most people think of Orlando, Florida, they think of sunshine, theme parks, and vacation dreams. But nestled in this vibrant city is the headquarters of a nonprofit that’s working...

Honoring Olivia Brown

March 12, 2025
Valerie Solomon

Bob Szafranski

February 27, 2025
Valerie Solomon

Rosemary Stuart

February 27, 2025
Valerie Solomon

Run Disney

February 14, 2025
Valerie Solomon

Press Release: Cannonball Kids’ cancer Foundation Awards $650,000 in Grants to Fuel Pediatric Cancer Research

January 31, 2025
Valerie Solomon

Cannonball Kids’ cancer Foundation Awards $650,000 in Grants to Fuel Pediatric Cancer Research ORLANDO, Fla. (Jan. 31, 2025) – Cannonball Kids’ cancer (CKc), a nonprofit dedicated to funding...

Anirban Das

January 29, 2025
Valerie Solomon

Giselle Saulnier Sholler

January 29, 2025
Valerie Solomon

Allison O’Neill

January 29, 2025
Valerie Solomon

Michelle Monje-Deisseroth

January 29, 2025
Valerie Solomon

Gold Gala

October 1, 2024
Valerie Solomon

Peter Zage, MD, PhD

September 7, 2024
Valerie Solomon