Meet the Research Advocates
Research advocates at Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center support our research efforts in many ways and for many reasons. Our advocates are cancer survivors, caregivers, and community members who are committed to making a difference.
Wade Hayes
A two-time cancer survivor of stage 4 colorectal cancer and a patient of GI SPORE Principal Investigator Jordan Berlin, M.D., Wade is committed to giving back in any way possible as he is convinced he would not be alive if not for the cancer treatment he received at VICC. The Nashville singer/songwriter found inspiration through his cancer journey and the advice to “go life your life” given to him by Dr. Berlin when he was declared cancer free after 3 years. That advice turned into a song and the title track of his newest album entitled Go Live Your Life. Earlier this year, he organized a sold-out concert benefitting GI research at VICC and plans to make it an ongoing event. Wade helps to spread awareness and hope by sharing his story and was the the keynote speaker at the 2013 VICC Annual Survivor Celebration and has spoken at several medical conferences around the nation including the 2014 REV Forum in Washington, DC.
