Clinical Trials Search at Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center

I joined the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center Ambassadors in 2017 through the Young Leaders Council Leadership Program. The VICC Ambassadors are an amazing group of passionate individuals that I am thankful to have the opportunity to partner alongside in the fight against cancer. Our experience together has been incredible; the influence we have made has been significant; and the friendships we have formed have been endearing.

I think everyone has been impacted, at some level, by cancer. However, cancer had a dramatic impact on my life in 2016 when my grandfather lost his fight to lung cancer and my cousin died of an undiagnosed metastatic cancer. Being able to raise awareness about cancer research through the VICC Ambassadors has been a meaningful way for me to give back to the community, while also awarding discovery grants for a cause that has closely impacted my family.

As part of the VICC Ambassadors, you will have the opportunity to be educated on trends in medical research, vote on where the research dollars are distributed, and help raise awareness for innovative philanthropic efforts. We look forward to you partnering with us on this journey and hope you will participate in any way that you can!

The mission to find a cure for cancer is something I strongly believe in and value. Most of us have our own stories about how cancer has affected someone we loved dearly. My story is about my mother, who was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2001. At the time, we lived in a small city where there was not a powerful resource like Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center. The doctors tried to do what they could, but her advanced cancer was past the point of intervention. My mother lost her battle on November 10, 2001, two months after my 13th birthday. Cancer left a void in my heart by taking one of the people I loved most in the world.  

Eighteen years later, my path led me to Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center where I work under the incredible leadership of Jennifer Pietenpol, PhD. The work, passion and devotion I witness daily from Dr. Pietenpol, leadership and staff in Vanderbilt-Ingram show me why we are the leader in prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer. 

I joined VICC Ambassadors because of my passion for finding cures and my belief in this program. My story may not have had the ending I hoped for, but I am optimistic that the VICC Ambassadors can help make great strides toward giving others better endings to their stories.