Honoring the memory of Gina (Super G) Hollenbeck, former president of ALK Positive, Inc.

Numerous tributes were written in the days and weeks following Gina’s passing in early June. This outpouring of love came as no surprise to those of us who were fortunate enough to know her. If you spent even a little time in the ALK Positive lung cancer world over the last five years, chances are very high that you knew of Gina, had become a friend of hers, and had been positively affected by her wonderful optimism. She was a determined advocate for ALL of us living with this disease. For the past three years she served as the volunteer president of ALK Positive, Inc., helping lead the organization from a fledgling patient advocacy group to one that now has a seat at the table with many of the most important “Key Opinion Leaders” in the lung cancer world.

You may have met her in person at one of the numerous conferences she attended. Or you may have only known her online - thru Zoom meetings, ALKtALKs, or her almost daily interactions in the ALK positive Facebook support group.

Since the time of her diagnosis Gina chose to look towards the stars, seeing the silver lining in all that surrounded her. In reality, Gina was our star, a luminous point in a dark sky. From day one of her disease, Gina was a fierce advocate for the lung cancer community- demanding patient equality and empowering those around her. Whether she was at a convention, at home, kicking off our annual Summit, or on her phone in a hospital bed - Gina fought for everyone impacted by this disease. She led by example and educated those far and wide that anyone with lungs could get lung cancer and any dollar towards research meant more life for lung cancer patients.

She saw this diagnosis as both an opportunity and a responsibility to use her influence, intelligence and skills where she could. It’s a choice she made —to try to make our ‘lung cancer world’ better for everyone who faces this disease — both now and in the future! Gina pushed us to do better, to think about every lung cancer patient, and really ask the hard questions, the ‘whys.’ Why certain things were done in a specific way, whether it was in clinical trials, access to care or access to medications. Gina wanted every patient to receive the best possible care.

We ALL loved Gina and all that she has done for each and every one of us. We sometimes use the phrase "don't waste your cancer" as a reminder to ourselves to make the most of the days that we are given . . . Gina was the personification of that phrase..

With all that she did for us, it’s important to note that the job most dear to Gina’s heart was her role as a beloved wife and mother. Our love goes out to her husband Greg, and her two wonderful sons, Hudson and Hayden. #starsbabystars #mudorstars