Category: Patient & Care Partner Stories
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Carrying Forward a Legacy: An Interview with Chad David Jasso of the Dave Jasso Foundation
The Dave Jasso Foundation exists with a dual mission: to actively fundraise for ALK Positive, supporting their critical research in the fight against ALK-positive lung cancer, and to honor the enduring legacy of Dave Jasso.
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The Colin Barton Spirit of Courage Award
At the 2025 ALK Summit in San Diego, ALK Positive proudly introduced the Colin Barton Spirit of Courage Award—a tribute to the vision, leadership, and tireless dedication of one of our founding members. From helping launch the organization and leading the Medical Committee, to personally funding research and inspiring millions in donations, Colin’s courage has…
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Patient Spotlight: Jake Legasse
At just 15 years old, Jake Lagasse was diagnosed with stage IV ALK-positive lung cancer. Thirteen years later, he continues to defy the odds—running marathons, working full-time, and embracing each day while participating in the Nuvalent 655 clinical trial. Jake credits his family, friends, and community for keeping him strong and reminds others facing ALK+…
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Patient Spotlight: Rick Meyer
We interviewed long term survivor Rick Meyer on his experience with multiple ALK TKIs, his participation in the Nuvalent clinical trial for almost two years and counting, and his overall attitude to life as a thriving ALK patient.
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Patient Spotlight: Celeste Olinger Denver, Colorado, USA
We interviewed long-term ALK survivor, Celeste Olinger, about her somewhat unusual cancer journey, her life, and her new normal since her diagnosis that still keeps her grounded and allows her to thrive.
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Dana Querido
We interviewed patient and ALK Positive volunteer Dana Querido about her journey with ALK+ lung cancer and her active involvement with the ALKtALK Healing Arts, Death Cafe, and more.
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My Thoracentesis Experience
During the Thanksgiving holiday, over a liter of pleural fluid was withdrawn via needle from my right chest space. I had just finished my third cycle of Carboplatin, Pemetrexed, and Lorlatinib after almost ten years of TKIs alone. The fluid first became evident on a PET scan and was classified as moderate effusion. I didn’t…
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Amanda Bialack-Stewart
Amanda has been actively involved in ALK Positive, Inc. through creating and leading the Young ALKies Group. We interviewed her in Los Angeles, California about having been diagnosed right after giving birth to twins at the age of 36, how she manages to balance family, work, fun, and self-care as a patient.
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Rich Gopen
Rich Gopen is an ALK patient and one of our match donors for Lung Cancer Awareness Month (LCAM). We interviewed Rich about his journey with ALK+ lung cancer, what motivates him, and his hopes for the future.
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Matt & Stephanie McAvin
Matt and Stephanie Mcavin were recently featured in Genentech’s Biomarker Testing Campaign that was filmed during the ALK Summit in Nashville. We interviewed them about their story living with an ALK+ cancer diagnosis, juggling Matt’s diagnosis with caring for their family of three teenagers, and their advocacy in getting the word out on the importance…
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Patient Spotlight Marc Muskavitch Boston area, Massachusetts, USA
Marc Muskavitch is an ALK patient, Board member for ALK Positive, Inc., and one of the leading members of the ALK Positive Medical Committee. We interviewed him on his journey with ALK+ lung cancer so far, his work with the Medical Committee, and what most excites him about the future of ALK+ cancer treatments and…
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PATIENT SPOTLIGHT: Xavier Chen, Paris, France
1. Tell us a little about your background – personal and professional – and your journey with ALK+ lung cancer so far. I am a 61-year-old French citizen of Chinese origin, now living in Paris. Beforemy diagnosis, I was living in Chiangmai, a northern city of Thailand, in semi-retirement after a very fulfilling career successively…