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 episode of Believe in Progress, the AACR Foundation’s podcast, we hear from Suzanne Stone, an Emmy-winning storyteller, nonprofit champion, and the President and CEO of Livestrong.

From television studios to basketball courts to cancer care nonprofits, Suzanne’s career has always centered on lifting others up. In a special full-circle moment, host Mitch Stoller, who served as Livestrong’s President and CEO from 2003 to 2007, talks with Suzanne to discuss the organization's legacy and its future.

Suzanne shares the career path that brought her to Livestrong, including how coaching women’s basketball taught her vital lessons about empathy and listening that now inform her leadership style. She explores the organization's evolution, from the decision to bring back the iconic yellow and black branding to the launch of Ellis, a groundbreaking AI companion designed to help cancer survivors navigate their journey.

This conversation dives deep into the philosophy of "saving all the starfish," moving beyond individual aid to creating systemic impact at scale. Suzanne outlines how Livestrong is building self-sustaining micro-businesses to ensure that no one faces cancer alone, today or years from now.

Featured Guest Suzanne Stone - President and CEO, Livestrong: Leading one of the most recognized names in cancer advocacy, Suzanne is focused on patient-centered solutions, equity, and enduring hope. She discusses how her background in media and coaching prepared her to lead Livestrong into its next chapter, emphasizing the power of community, physical movement, and innovative technology in cancer recovery.

Key Topics:

• A Legacy of Bravery: How Livestrong has evolved over 28 years while maintaining its core mission to ensure no one faces cancer alone.

• From Storytelling to Service: Suzanne’s non-linear career path from TV production to coaching basketball and leading nonprofits like Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) and Susan G. Komen.

• Impact at Scale: Reinterpreting the "Starfish Parable" to focus on solving root causes rather than just individual cases.

• Innovation in Care: The development of Ellis, an AI-powered guidebook that acts as a closed-loop conversation partner for survivors seeking resources.

• The Power of Yellow: The strategic decision to bring back the iconic yellow and black brand identity as a symbol of hope and resilience.

• Exercise Oncology: The evolution of Livestrong at the Y into Cancer Fit, an accessible, on-demand digital training platform for survivors and trainers.

• Leadership Lessons: How coaching a community college basketball team taught Suzanne the difference between hearing and truly listening with empathy.

• Future Sustainability: Building self-sustaining micro-businesses to fuel Livestrong’s mission independent of external economic factors.

Take Action in the Fight Against Cancer: 

If this episode moved you, here’s how you can take action to advance cancer research:

• Donate to the AACR: Fuel lifesaving cancer research at https://AACR.org/Give

• Support Survivorship: Learn more about Livestrong’s resources at https://Livestrong.org

• Share this episode: Help amplify the message that bold ideas and global collaboration can change the future of cancer care

• Subscribe to Believe in Progress: Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts

Production Credits: 

Host: Mitch Stoller 

Guest: Suzanne Stone 

Executive Producer: Anthony Lopes 

Executive Producer: Michael Leary 

Director: Anthony Lopes 

Creative Director / Director of Photography: Michael Leary 

Writer: Anthony Lopes 

Editor: Michael Leary 

Associate Producer: Heather Holland

Believe in Progress is produced by CollegeCast LLC. 

Check out more episodes: https://AACR.org/BelieveInProgress