The Extraordinary Honors in Blood Cancer celebration is a night of inspiration, recognition, and unforgettable stories - spotlighting the courage and compassion across Multiple Myeloma, MPNs/MDS, Leukemia, and Lymphoma.
Friday, December 11, 2026
7:30 - 9:00 PM CT · Doors open at 7:00 PM
The National WWII Museum
945 Magazine Street
New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
The Heart of Extraordinary honors in blood cancer
The heart of the Extraordinary Honors in Blood Cancer celebration is the community itself. This year, we received 79 inspiring essay nominations — more than ever before. These stories were filled with courage, compassion, and resilience across Multiple Myeloma, MPNs/MDS, Leukemia, and Lymphoma. From these incredible submissions, four finalists were chosen to be honored on stage at the event.
COUNTDOWN TO THE CELEBRATION
2025 Finalists
Jo
e McDonough
Joe McDonough holds a BA degree from the Univ of Delaware and an MBA from Fordham Univ in NYC.
For 40+ years, Joe has held marketing positions in the consumer products, non-profit, and financial services industry. Prior to starting The Andrew McDonough B+ (Be Positive) Foundation, he was a Senior Vice-President in the credit card division of JPMorgan Chase. Joe is the President of The B+ Foundation, an international charity with offices in DE and NYC, with employees around the U.S. The B+ Foundation is the largest provider of financial assistance to families of kids with cancer nationwide and also funds cutting-edge childhood cancer research globally. Joe has given well over 1,600 talks around the country since his son passed away.
Andrew and The B+ Foundation have been recognized by NASCAR, Major League Baseball, NBA, and NHL teams, the Jefferson Award for Public Service, the Governor of the State of Delaware and numerous other organizations and honors. Andrew was inducted in the News-Journal/Delaware Online 2025 Most Influential Delawareans Hall of Fame. The B+ Foundation was named one of the “Top 100 Charities” in the country by Chase and Facebook. The B+ Foundation was featured on The Today Show.
Joe was an invited guest at Pres. Obama's 2011 State of the Union Address. He was inducted in the International Blood Bank Hall of Fame, the Mt. Pleasant HS (DE) Hall of Fame and the University of Delaware Wall of Fame.
Bill C. Potts is an author, motivational speaker, creative business leader, health care consultant, IRONMAN athlete, and a dedicated father and husband. His book, “Up for the Fight: How to Advocate for Yourself as You Battle Cancer,” has changed his life. He is inspired by the many cancer patients who reach out to him for guidance on their brave cancer journeys. As a five-time cancer survivor, he pursues life with the utmost passion and drive. He loves his life and wakes up every day grateful for it. Bill lives in St. Petersburg, Florida, with his wife, Kim.
Faseeh Khaja, MD is board certified in internal medicine, hematology, and medical oncology. Dr. Khaja received his bachelor’s degree from Houston Baptist University, where he double majored in biology and chemistry and graduated Summa Cum Laude. He graduated from Ross University School of Medicine with Honors and completed his internal medicine residency at Orlando Health.
Dr. Khaja then went on to complete his medical oncology and hematology fellowship at MD Anderson Cancer Center - Orlando, where he was part of several research projects and published as a lead author. Dr. Khaja has served as associate clinical professor for both Florida State College of Medicine and University of Central Florida College of Medicine. He holds membership in both the American Society of Clinical Oncology and the American Society of Hematology. He enjoys caring for his patients and spends his free time working out and spending time with his family. He is fluent in English, Spanish, Hindi, and Urdu.
Oya Gilbert
Oya Gilbert, also known as "Grand G," is a father of three, a prominent figure in Delaware's hiphop scene, and a passionate advocate for health equity. He began his career performing rhymes on the streets of Wilmington, which led to a record deal and numerous song releases. But in 2017, after two years of misdiagnoses and medical neglect, Oya's life took a dramatic turn when he was finally diagnosed with multiple myeloma, an incurable blood cancer that disproportionately affects the Black community. Oya's story is one of resilience. For two agonizing years, despite escalating symptoms and frequent visits to doctors, he was dismissed and branded a hypochondriac. It was only after he increased his life insurance policy to protect his children's future that the insurance company’s doctors discovered the protein markers that finally revealed his diagnosis. Oya's journey through systemic racism in healthcare sparked a fire in him to turn his trauma into advocacy, fighting for change at the grassroots level. In 2018, Oya underwent a stem cell transplant and continues to manage his condition with daily chemotherapy. Rather than allowing his diagnosis to define him, he transformed his experience into a platform for advocacy and empowerment. As the creator and host of the “Hip, Hope, Hooray! Black Men Talking Health” podcast, Oya addresses the disproportionate health disparities faced by Black Americans, offering a space for Black men to share their health journeys and engage in discussions that promote health literacy and well-being. In 2024, Oya founded The Health, Hope, & Hip-Hop Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to closing healthcare gaps in underserved communities, particularly in the Black community. By leveraging the cultural influence of hip-hop, his foundation educates and empowers people of color to take a proactive role in their healthcare. Supported by organizations like the International Myeloma Foundation, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (now Blood Cancer United), and various pharmaceutical companies, Oya advocates for diversity, equity, and inclusion in healthcare. His tireless efforts are aimed at ensuring that communities of color receive the health resources, education, and attention they deserve. Oya Gilbert’s mission is clear: transform personal pain into power, systemic injustice into action, and healthcare inequities into opportunities for healing and change. He urges everyone to be game-changers, not spectators, as he continues to lead the charge in reshaping the landscape of patient advocacy. His work not only provides hope but also ensures that no one else will endure the suffering and dismissiveness he experienced in his own healthcare journey.
Venue Location
WHEN
Friday, December 11, 2026
7:30 - 9:30 PM CT
QUESTIONS
Reach out to our events team with any questions you may have (Registration@curetoday.com).
REGISTER
The Extraordinary Honors in Blood Cancer celebration is free to register and attend.