Meet Amanda Haddock

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Amanda Haddock. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Amanda , we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.

My son was diagnosed with an aggressive form of brain cancer. He was such a great kid, and we were all just devastated. As a family we struggled with the unfairness of the situtation, but he never seemed to give much thought to that. When he did, he expressed thankfulness that he was the one having to deal with treatment and not one of his siblings.

He always expressed interest in the lives of those around him, whether it was someone at school or someone at the hospital. He was constantly giving his attention to others who were overlooked. When the spotlight turned to him because he was sick, he still found ways to deflect it to others. He used his voice to point to other kids who needed help, to tell jokes to the nurses drawing blood, to ask someone how they were doing, even though he was on active treatment. Through his journey, he helped me understand that we can’t always control our circumstances, but we can control how we react to them. That always seemed sort of cliché to me until I saw it in action.

His love for others never faltered, and in his absence, I’ve tried to continue to help others as I think he would have. This has led to starting a nonprofit that is focused on data sharing and cutting-edge technology to help disease researchers do their work more efficiently and also hopefully lead to better treatments and cures for patients. There is no end to the ways we can help others, so in big and small ways, I look to to that and it has given my life great purpose, even in the face of grief.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

What excites me most about this work is the opportunity to be part of a movement that’s truly changing the landscape of cancer research. Through Dragon Master Initiative, we’ve made significant strides in increasing data accessibility, which is vital for both researchers and families navigating the complex world of cancer treatment. I’m proud of our collaborations, including my participation in the White House Cancer Moonshot efforts and my work with institutions like the National Cancer Institute and the National Institutes of Health. These partnerships are allowing us to be a part of groundbreaking projects, like the Children’s Cancer Data Initiative and the Children’s Brain Tumor Network, that aim to improve the outcomes for kids battling cancer.

What’s special about this work is the shared sense of purpose it brings. By joining forces with researchers, clinicians, families, and advocacy groups, we can accelerate progress in ways that weren’t possible just a few years ago. We’ve built a community focused on collaboration and data-sharing, and it’s incredibly rewarding to see the impact this is already having on the pediatric brain tumor community in particular. Even more than that, I’m excited about the impact this can have on the medical research landscape as a whole.

If there’s one thing I want folks to know about our brand, it’s that Dragon Master Initiative is fueled by the drive to honor David’s legacy, not just through the research, but through the hope we bring to families who are walking this difficult road. We’re not just focused on today—we’re committed to creating a better future for every person affected by cancer.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Looking back, I’d say three qualities have been crucial in shaping my journey: resilience, a commitment to learning, and the ability to collaborate effectively.

Resilience: The loss of my son, David, was devastating, but the drive to honor his memory and create meaningful change in the world of cancer research became a source of strength. Resilience isn’t about never feeling broken; it’s about pushing forward, even when the road is uncertain. For anyone just starting out, my advice is to embrace the setbacks and challenges you’ll face. It’s in those moments that growth happens. Resilience is built through small steps—continuing to show up, even on the hardest days.

Commitment to Learning: When we started Dragon Master Initiative, I had to learn an entirely new language: research, data, advocacy, clinical trials. I leaned into every opportunity to educate myself—whether through meetings, reading, or conversations with experts. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed when you’re diving into something new, but the more you learn, the more empowered you become. My advice is to stay curious and never stop seeking knowledge. You don’t need to have all the answers up front; being open to learning will get you where you need to go.

Collaboration: None of the progress we’ve made would be possible without the incredible people and institutions we’ve partnered with over the years. Being able to work with the National Cancer Institute, the Children’s Brain Tumor Network, and countless other organizations has been instrumental in driving change. Collaboration is key to tackling complex issues like cancer research. My advice is to surround yourself with people who share your vision but also challenge you to think differently. Be open to partnerships, because no one person can solve big problems alone.

For those just starting on a similar journey, I’d say focus on these areas—resilience, continuous learning, and collaboration. They’re not just important for making an impact, but they also help you build the inner strength and network necessary to keep pushing forward.

Alright so to wrap up, who deserves credit for helping you overcome challenges or build some of the essential skills you’ve needed?

There have been so many people who have helped me! I don’t think I ever would have had the confidence to start something this big if it were not for my husband. He has a way of encouraging and challenging me at the same time that is very inspiring. I’ve also had so many mentors who believed that my passion would help drive change, but who also knew that I needed technical training. Executives, doctors, researchers, and agency leaders took the time to share their knowledge with me and coach me through more difficult challenges. Everyone needs a team, and I’ve been really blessed to have amazing folks offer their help and guidance.

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