Through her transformative philanthropic work and inspirational books VIBRANT and GLOW, Gateway for Cancer Research vice chair Dr. Stacie Stephenson empowers individuals to navigate life’s challenges with vitality and purpose. Here, she offers insight into her journey, clues us in on what to expect at this year’s Gateway Celebrity Fight Night April 27 (celebrityfightnight.org) and shares tips on how to give back.
How did you decide to focus on functional medicine?
After a figure skating accident derailed my hopes of going to the Olympics, I became disillusioned with my medical care. It seemed all they had to offer me were drugs and surgeries, but I knew instinctively that the accident happened in part because I was burned out and not taking care of myself. I thought I could do better, so I went to med school but became further disillusioned as I realized how difficult it would be to make a difference in a system designed to treat disease rather than create health.
One day, a friend convinced me to attend a functional medicine lecture. at lecture changed everything. I realized there was a system of care that really did focus on creating health through lifestyle changes. I left that lecture with a bag full of supplements and a whole new attitude, and I never looked back.
How does functional medicine differ from the standard medical care most Americans know of?
Functional medicine seeks the root causes of health dysfunction rather than only patching up symptoms. If you get sick because you’ve been stressing too much or haven’t been getting outside, moving your body, eating real food, drinking enough water, sleeping enough, getting all the nutrients you need or cultivating supportive relationships, you can’t fix those problems with a pill. You need to fix them by changing what you do, which you get to control, rather than the doctor or pharmacist.
What I love about functional medicine is that it doesn’t discount conventional medicine when warranted, such as when you need a prescription or surgery. Functional medicine isn’t going to help when you have a broken bone, for example. However, in functional medicine, drugs and surgery are not the default. Instead, functional medicine doctors have much more training in things like nutrition and exercise science, as well as a good understanding of how chronic stress affects health. They start with the basics so the body can more easily do what it is built to do— heal and keep you healthy. Logically, this is the right starting place, especially regarding prevention.
I will add that I support organizations that fund cancer research, and I would never suggest that conventional medicine doesn’t help. It most certainly does. We need it, and we keep learning more about how to address cancer. However, functional medicine is a powerful adjunct to conventional care for cancer. This is often called integrative medicine because it integrates conventional and holistic care, and functional medicine can be a part of that holistic care. Research has shown that holistic care interventions can greatly improve the quality of life for cancer patients.
In addition to being a leader in functional medicine, you are also passionate about nutrition and its far-reaching effects on overall health and well-being. Where did this passion stem from, and how strong is the correlation between what we eat and how we feel?
I cannot overstate the correlation between what we eat and how we feel. I’m a board member of the American Nutrition Association, which is part of my excitement to further nutrition education. I trained in nutrition because this is arguably the one aspect of a healthful lifestyle over which we have the most control. We all have the opportunity, multiple times a day, to make choices that either create health or create disease. When you think about it this way, it becomes much easier to choose real, whole food over processed food, fruit over sweets, seafood over fatty cuts of meat, and to eat more vegetables. Dietary changes alone, even if you change nothing else, can increase your energy, improve the look of your skin, brighten your mood, and make other healthful behaviors like exercise and sleep easier and more rewarding.
You’ve applied your expertise and experience to your newest book, GLOW. What are some simple things readers can do to find their glow?
The premise of GLOW, which I’m proud to say is a national bestseller, is that the simple act of taking just 15 minutes each morning and evening to spend by yourself setting intentions, planning, dreaming, meditating, praying, or just sitting and enjoying silence or walking in nature, can change your life. is twice-daily routine reduces stress and helps you feel more organized and centered so you can focus, achieve more, and feel better doing it.
A few other simple things, which I include in the morning and evening prompts in GLOW, are to keep your bedroom clean, cool and dark for a better-quality sleep; to eat a big salad every day for lunch; to spend more time outdoors in the fresh air and sunshine; to practice being kind to yourself as well as others; and to put more effort into fostering relationships that make you feel a sense of support and belonging. The book has many other ideas, intentions, inspirations, tips and mantras, so I hope your readers will look for it.
You have dedicated considerable time and energy to charitable work. Can you tell us more?
My husband and I both strongly believe that when you find a need and are in a position to help, you must help. Because of family experiences with cancer, that has often been the focus of our philanthropy, specifically in terms of funding clinical trials that might not otherwise get funded. Gateway for Cancer Research is the only nonprofit exclusively dedicated to funding phase 1 and phase 2 cancer clinical trials for all types of cancer. These trials are repeatedly underfunded by private and corporate funding organizations, but without them, we will never find a cure, in my opinion.
For example, some of the trials we fund include research into how integrative care—specifically lifestyle interventions and other holistically minded therapies—can bolster quality of life for cancer patients. The phase 1 clinical trial we are featuring this year at Gateway Celebrity Fight Night is led by Yoshie Umemura, MD, who is evaluating the safety and efficacy of an already-approved drug for patients diagnosed with glioblastoma multiforme, one of the most common and deadliest of the malignant primary brain tumors in adults.
In addition to cancer research, I am very passionate about child health and welfare. I am an ardent supporter of Childhelp, an organization that helps and advocates for victims of child abuse. They run a national child abuse hotline (800.422.4453), as well as a Courage First Athlete helpline (888.279.1026) for student-athletes, parents and coaches with abuse concerns. These hotlines are easy to access through phone or text, and I believe these have saved many lives.
It must feel so good to participate in these significant pursuits. What memorable moments pertaining to making a difference have you experienced over the years?
Aside from the many cancer patient success stories and stories of rescued children that keep me going—that is, after all, what it’s all about—I was honored and humbled recently to receive several awards for our work. In 2021, I received the Childhelp Woman of the World Award, which meant so much to me. Other recipients have been Oprah Winfrey, Kathie Lee Gifford, Barbara Bush, Laura Bush, Nancy Reagan and Melani Walton, so I was grateful to be in the company of those powerful and amazing women. The night I received this award, we raised a record-setting $6.5 million to support Childhelp!
In 2023, the Women’s Cancer Research Fund honored me and my husband with the Unsung Hero Award at their Los Angeles gala, another great honor that we both agree should be shared by every supporter of that organization, especially every patient battling breast cancer. We do our work with optimism and a commitment to creating a world where a cancer diagnosis is no longer feared.
Not everyone can serve on charitable boards or participate on a high level like you do, but many want to help. What are some ways readers can get involved, monetarily or not?
So much of philanthropy is about raising awareness. If you don’t know much about cancer statistics, cancer research or child abuse, or want to learn more about a cause that speaks to you, it’s easy to educate yourself and spread the word that people need help.
You could also donate your time, your talents and your passion. Charitable organizations run on much more than just money. They need people to assist with social media, writing press releases and content, manning phone lines or volunteering to help in whatever way is needed with fundraising events. The best way to find out how you can help with the causes that mean the most to you is to call organizations that advocate for those causes and simply ask what they need.
Gateway Celebrity Fight Night, which raises money for Gateway for Cancer Research, is coming up. What can readers expect this year?
There are always surprises I can’t reveal. Still, I can say that Gateway Celebrity Fight Night is set for April 27 at 5:30 p.m. at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess and will be emceed by *NSYNC member Joey Fatone, with musical direction by David Foster and appearances by Extra’s Lawrence Zarian, singer-songwriter Katharine McPhee and more. You can keep up with the latest information or buy tickets at celebrityfightnight.org.
Are there any Gateway Celebrity Fight Night fundraising goals you can mention?
We raise millions of dollars for Gateway every year, and Gateway Celebrity Fight Night is Gateway’s signature annual event, so we have high hopes for a meaningful contribution. What’s most important to me is that 100% of the event proceeds directly fund innovative cancer research. Yes, 100%! This is why every dollar counts. Donors aren’t supporting the administration or the running of the organization. It’s all going to cancer research; not many organizations can claim that.
You do so much— philanthropist, physician, mother, author and more. What’s the through line?
I just want to help. I’ve gone through hard times like everyone else, but I feel fortunate to be in a position at this point in my life where I can give back, not just through philanthropy but through information. The birth of my children, including my twin boys and new daughter, has given me a renewed passion for helping others. Being an example for them is a significant driver for me. This is why I try to stay out there in the media and why I write books. Health is my area of expertise, and there is a lot of misinformation out there, so I consider telling the truth about what it really means to be healthy one of my many jobs. I try to empower people to live a lifestyle that can lead to vibrant health and the ability to achieve their dreams, large or small. Life is precious, and health helps you to live each day to its fullest.
What do you love most about what you do?
When I find out that something I’ve done, said or supported has truly helped someone, it fills me with joy and gratitude.
And what can readers expect from you next?
So many ideas! I’m always thinking about new ways to get information out there. Maybe I’ll write another book; maybe I’ll launch a new initiative…. That is all I will say for now, but you can be sure I won’t kick back and take it easy!
Photography by: BOB AND DAWN DAVIS PHOTOGRAPHY AND DESIGN
