Patient Spotlight: Emily Venanzi, Newton, Massachussetts

Emily Venanzi is an active member of our Medical Commitee (with particular involvement in the Research Review Panel selecting which research projects to fund) as well as our Research Accelaration Committee. As a patient, she is an interesting case, as she "jumped" straight on a clinical trial as her first line of treatment, which she's still currently on. We interviewed Emily to find out more about her, her background, and what research developments give her the most hope for the future.

Patient StoriesKirk SmithJuly 18, 2022Emily Benanzi, Medical Committee, Patient Spotlight

Patient Spotlight: Nancee Pronsati, Golden, Colorado

Nancee has been an ALK patient for the last 6 years, and she is an incredible member of the ALK community who is devoting her time and resources to multiple projects and endeavors within ALK Positive, Inc. This year, she is the Chair of ALK Summit 2022 which we are all looking forward to. We wanted to know more about her life and background and what motivated her to volunteer and make a difference.

Patient StoriesKirk SmithMay 14, 2022Nancee Pronsati, ALK Summit, Patients

Patient Spotlight: Dr. Charelle Samuels, Pittsburg, Pennsylvania

Dr. Charelle Samuels is an ALK patient and a professional mental health practitioner with decades of experience. She has successfully led emotional support groups and ALKtALK sessions as part of the ALKtALK program, which many members have found particularly helpful. We asked her to talk to us about her personal journey as a professional and a lung cancer patient, her dedication to supporting people in improving their mental health, and her volunteering with the ALKtALK program.

Patient Stories, ALK TALKKirk SmithMarch 22, 2022ALKtALK, Dr. Charelle Samuels

Honoring the memory of Linnea Olson: long-term ALK survivor, clinical trial pioneer, fierce lung cancer advocate, loving mother of three

The ALK world and more broadly the lung cancer world lost one of its most precious and vocal voices on November 15, 2021, ironically during Lung Cancer Awareness Month and only days before her 62nd birthday. Linnea Olson set a paradigm in the treatment of lung cancer and left a void that is hard to fill. Linnea served as a valued Board member of ALK Positive Outreach Management Group (what is now ALK Positive, Inc.) and continued to be a member of the ALK Positive, Inc. Clinical Trials Committee.

Patient StoriesKirk SmithJanuary 19, 2022Linnea Olson

Patient Spotlight: Colin Barton, Denver, Colorado

We had a wonderful discussion with long-time member, Medical Committee Chair, Board member and donor, Colin Barton, about his background and personal history, his attitude to life, the achievements of the Medical Committee which he has been chair continuously since 2017, and his hopes and excitement for the future of ALK-positive cancer treatments.

Patient StoriesKirk SmithJanuary 19, 2022Colin Barton, Medical Committee, research

Patient Spotlight: Yuhui Hurng, Singapore

We interviewed our member Yuhui Hurng about her journey with ALK-positive lung cancer, her experience with ‘outside the box’ treatment options and the differences in medical care standards between Singapore where she lives and the rest of the world.

Patient StoriesKirk SmithNovember 7, 2021Yuhui Hurng

ALK Positive Micro-Documentary "Stronger Together" Available on Youtube

You can share this powerful micro-documentary featuring four women living with ALK positive lung cancer, as well as leading lung cancer researchers, Dr. Christine Lovly and Dr. Vincent Lam.

Patient Spotlight: How to Fundraise for ALK Positive

Research for the right treatments is behind every ALK-positive patient’s hopeful prognosis. While ALK-positive patients now live longer than ever before, we still need more. Our aim at ALK Positive is to improve the life expectancy and quality of life of every ALK-positive cancer patient worldwide and for this reason we are dedicated to funding rigorously-selected, cutting edge research. Fundraising is an essential factor driving this research and all members are encouraged to actively donate and/or fundraise towards our common goal. Read on to find out how two of our members organized their own fundraisers and what advice they have for those interested in fundraising for ALK Positive.

Patient StoriesKirk SmithNovember 9, 2020Fundraising, Patients, Lung Cancer Awareness