Believe in Progress: an AACR Foundation Podcast

About Believe in Progress: an AACR Foundation Podcast

Welcome to Believe in Progress, the American Association for Cancer Research Foundation's podcast. Join us as we share stories of hope and inspiration that will lift your spirits and remind you that no matter how difficult your cancer journey may be, there's always hope. On this podcast, we'll explore the latest breakthroughs in cancer research and hear from leading experts who are working tirelessly to find new treatments and cures in the fight against cancer. Believe in Progress isn't just about the science of cancer; it's about the human side of this disease. We'll hear from cancer survivors who have overcome incredible odds to beat cancer., thanks to the groundbreaking research and innovative treatments that are changing the landscape of cancer treatment. These stories of resilience and progress will inspire and motivate you to keep pushing forward no matter what challenges you may be facing. We'll speak with caregivers who have provided unwavering support to their loved ones through their cancer journey. Their selflessness and dedication remind you the power of love and the importance of having a strong support system. Join us on this journey of hope and progress. Subscribe to Believe in Progress, the AACR Foundation's podcast, today, and be inspired by the incredible stories of those who have faced cancer with strength and resilience, and the medical professionals who are working to find new treatments and ultimately a cure. Please do not forget to visit www.aacr.org to make a donation or to find helpful information and resources. Together we can make progress in the fight against cancer and bring hope to those who need it most. Please don't forget, cancer research saves lives. For more information visit the AACR and our podcast here: https://www.aacr.org/get-involved/believe-in-progress-an-aacr-foundation-podcast/ This podcast was produced by the awesome people at CollegeCast LLC. Visit www.collegecastpodcasts.com for more information, or to check out our amazing podcasts.

Publisher

American Association for Cancer Research Foundation and CollegeCast LLC

Category

business · health & fitness · health & fitness

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

22 Jun 2023

Latest episode

6 May 2026

Latest episodes

71 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   6 May 2026

   070: The Cancer Test Most Patients Don't Know Exists: BLOODPAC

   In this episode, we explore a quiet revolution underway in cancer care. Instead of a painful biopsy or months of anxious waiting between scans, a single vial of blood may be able to indicate whether cancer is present, whether it is responding to treatment, or whether it has returned. The technology is here today. Most patients do not know it exists. Two women sit on opposite sides of the same mission: one builds the infrastructure that makes cancer blood tests trustworthy, the other depends on that infrastructure to know if her cancer is coming back. Lauren C. Leiman is the Executive Director of BLOODPAC, the Blood Profiling Atlas in Cancer, a consortium of industry, academic, regulatory, patient advocacy, and professional society stakeholders working to ensure liquid biopsy tests are designed and validated in a way that fosters clinician trust and improves patient care. Lauren came to this work from the White House Cancer Moonshot. Mary Royal is a breast cancer survivor and patient advocate diagnosed in late 2023 through a routine mammogram she almost canceled. After bilateral mastectomy, chemotherapy, and 38 sessions of radiation, her oncologist recommended a Personalis ctDNA test that creates a personalized molecular fingerprint of her cancer and screens for traces of recurrence in her bloodstream. Mary was initially hesitant. She describes more than 13 tests since January 2024, and what once felt like a source of anxiety has become a source of reassurance. She calls herself “Mary 2.0,” her second chance. Together, Lauren and Mary discuss what liquid biopsy is, the emotional reality of choosing to know, the difference between treatment selection, molecular residual disease (MRD), and multi-cancer early detection, the access gap that leaves patients in rural and underserved communities without these tests, and Mary's reflection that patients today are still launching to the moon while patients in just a few years will already be on it. Featured Guests: Lauren C. Leiman, Executive Director, BLOODPAC; Mary Royal, Breast Cancer Survivor and Patient Advocate Lauren previously served on the White House Cancer Moonshot Task Force, during the Obama Administration, with prior experience on Wall Street and in philanthropy. Mary is a marathon runner, mom of four, and works at a child advocacy center. Key Topics: · Mary's diagnosis: an almost-canceled mammogram in 2023 · Bilateral mastectomy, chemotherapy, and 38 sessions of radiation · What liquid biopsy is and how ctDNA testing works · Mary's experience with more than 13 ctDNA tests over two years · The emotional reality of monitoring for recurrence · “What is the point of science if we don't use it?” · Treatment selection, MRD, and multi-cancer early detection · The accessibility gap between academic centers and rural communities · BLOODPAC's expansion into hematology · The multi-omics, multi-modal future of precision medicine · What “believe in progress” means to Mary Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 02:32 Mary's diagnosis: an almost-canceled mammogram 04:51 A marathon runner who never saw cancer coming 06:55 The “free fall” after diagnosis 07:38 Hormone-positive, HER2-negative 09:48 Treatment timeline: chemotherapy and 38 sessions of radiation 10:23 What liquid biopsy is 11:54 January 2024: Mary is introduced to ctDNA testing 13:23 The anxiety of choosing to know 15:46 Mary begins ctDNA monitoring with Personalis 16:16 From anxiety to reassurance 20:29 Lauren's origin story and the early industry 21:27 MRD as BLOODPAC's next big goal 23:37 Why accessibility became a priority 29:36 BLOODPAC's new study on access disparities 33:46 Mary on advocacy and patient forums 36:34 “Launching to the moon” 37:18 BLOODPAC approaches its 10-year anniversary 40:18 87 member organizations, including the AACR 40:57 What “believe in progress” means 41:33 Closing Take Action: · Donate to the AACR: https://donate.aacr.org/BelieveinProgress/Donate · Learn more about BLOODPAC: https://www.bloodpac.org · Subscribe to Believe in Progress: o Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/4rLQyB5 o Spotify: https://sptfy.in/o700 o YouTube: https://AACR.org/BelieveInProgress Production Credits: Host: Mitch Stoller Guests: Lauren C. Leiman, Executive Director, BLOODPAC; Mary Royal, Breast Cancer Survivor Executive Producer: Anthony Lopes Executive Producer: Michael Leary Producer: Mitch Stoller Producer: Heather Holland Director: Anthony Lopes Creative Director / Director of Photography: Michael Leary Writer: Anthony Lopes Editor: Michael Leary Believe in Progress is produced by CollegeCast LLC for the AACR Foundation. Check out more episodes: https://AACR.org/BelieveInProgress

2. 

   15 Apr 2026

   069: No Young Adult Should Face Cancer Alone

   In this episode, we hear the remarkable story of how personal loss and friendship became the foundation for a 25-year mission to ensure no young adult faces cancer alone. When Brock Yetso was 23, his mother was diagnosed with stage 4 colorectal cancer. She passed away in just weeks. At the same time, his best friend, Doug Ulman, was fighting cancer for the third time as a college student at Brown University.Rather than walk away from the pain, Brock chose to fight alongside Doug and his family. What started as a single fundraiser and a nonprofit with a single employee and a $100,000 budget has grown into a $3 million operation with a staff of 25 reaching patients in more than 250 communities nationwide. The Ulman Foundation has raised more than $25 million over 22 years to support patients aged 15 to 39 facing cancer.Brock describes the foundation's two signature programs: patient navigation, where trained navigators are embedded in cancer centers across the Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia area to meet patients and families at the bedside, and Ulman House, a free housing facility in Baltimore located steps from the city's world-renowned hospitals, which has housed more than 583 patients and families from 29 states, saving more than $2.4 million in lodging and travel costs. He also discusses the foundation's work on fertility preservation protocols that have helped young cancer survivors start families after treatment.The episode touches on the 20th anniversary of the Closing the Gap report (a landmark collaboration between the National Cancer Institute and the Livestrong Foundation), why colorectal cancer screening matters, what it means to run a nonprofit like a team sport, and why Brock believes the crisis he first saw at 23 is only accelerating.Featured Guest: Brock Yetso, President and CEO, Ulman FoundationBrock is a University of Virginia graduate and former Division I soccer player who has led the Ulman Foundation for 25 years. He also coaches women's soccer at Towson University and runs youth soccer programs in Maryland.Key Topics:• Brock losing his mother to stage 4 colorectal cancer in weeks• Doug Ulman's three cancer diagnoses and Ulman Foundation’s founding mission• Growing from a $100,000 budget to a $3 million, 25-person operation• The cancer gap: for patients aged 15 to 39• Patient navigation across seven to eight cancer centers in the DC/MD/VA area• Fertility preservation protocols for young cancer patients• Ulman House: free housing for young adults near life-saving treatment• The $10 million Beyond Cancer capital campaign• 20th anniversary of the Closing the Gap report• Running a nonprofit like a team sport• What "believe in progress" means to BrockTimestamps:00:00 Introduction02:16 Welcome to Believe in Progress02:37 Meet Brock Yetso06:29 Losing his mom: Valentine's Day to St. Patrick's Day08:47 Colorectal cancer prevention and screening10:00 The young adult cancer gap13:01 Doug Ulman: three-time cancer survivor15:25 Building the Ulman Foundation16:58 The first fundraiser18:25 From passion project to lifelong mission19:07 Doug, Lance Armstrong, and a crossroads20:45 Becoming executive director24:12 Closing the Gap: 20 years later24:22 Patient navigation explained28:07 Fertility preservation29:54 Ulman House: a home away from home32:15 The Beyond Cancer expansion33:50 Athletics and nonprofit leadership37:20 Where Ulman Foundation is headed38:18 What "believe in progress" means39:26 ClosingTake Action:• Donate to the AACR: https://donate.aacr.

3. 

   1 Apr 2026

   068: From Mustache to Mission: How StacheStrong Is Changing Brain Cancer Research

   In this episode, we hear the remarkable story of how a son, an elder brother, and a family dealt with a devastating cancer diagnosis with love and determination. When George John "GJ" Gerner III was diagnosed with glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) at th...

Who has been a guest on Believe in Progress: an AACR Foundation Podcast

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• Mitch Stoller
• Dr Christiana Bardon
• Mark Haefele
• Jason Tharp

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

YouTube views

10,400,632

Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

12 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

3 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 69 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

72

Social presence

0

YouTube

86

Engagement

77

Contact Believe in Progress: an AACR Foundation Podcast

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.