Saturday, September 28, 2024 – Minneapolis Sheraton West

The 2024 Midwest Lung Cancer Summit for patients, survivors, and caregivers is a one-day Saturday event offering classroom-style education about lung cancer, patient resources and tools to improve the journey, access to lung cancer experts, meals, massages, and networking opportunities for people living with lung cancer. While we encourage in-person attendance to give you access to experts, other survivors, and resources, this event is also offered virtually.

The Summit focuses on offering educational resources that have the power to improve quality of life and health outcomes. Scholarships are available to offset the $50 registration fee by emailing .

THANK YOU TO OUR GENEROUS SPONSORS!

Platinum Sponsors ($10,000)

Interested in becoming a sponsor? Email for more information.

Sponsor Benefit Chart

2024 Midwest Lung Cancer Summit Itinerary (*subject to change)

Morning Yoga ( 8 a.m.)

Gentle Yoga Therapy for Stress Relief – Alison Crowley, C-IAYT

Morning Keynote (9 a.m.)

Advancements & Discoveries Like Never Before – Joe Leach, MD, Allina Health

Breakout Session #1 (10 a.m.)

Managing Pain & Side Effects – Ailsa Luce, PAC, Mayo Clinic 

Why Everyone Needs a Lawyer on Their Cancer Care Team – Lindy Yokanovich, J.D., Executive Director of Cancer Legal Care

Physical Activities to Improve the Cancer Journey – Clare Poulose RN, MSN, Cancer Exercise Specialist, and Russ Davies, Personal Fitness Trainer

Breakout Session #2 (11 a.m.)

Managing Pain & Side Effects – Ailsa Luce, PAC, Mayo Clinic 

Navigating Nutrition with a Lung Cancer Diagnosis–  Lexy Zimmerman, RDN, LD 

Care for the Caregiver – Allison Breininger, MA, Creator of The Negative Space

Lunch and Afternoon Keynote (12 p.m.)

Addressing Stress with Mindfulness – Alison Crowley, C-IAYT, Certified Yoga Therapist

Breakout Session #3 (1:15 p.m.)

Laughter is the Best Medicine – Steve Buechler, PhD, Retired Professor of Sociology, Survivor

Finding Hope and Resilience through Your Spirituality – Frank Bennett, PhD, MDiv, Chaplain

Mutations and Biomarkers – Manish Patel, DO, Associate Professor of Medicine

Breakout Session #4 (2:15 p.m.)

Laughter is the Best Medicine – Steve Buechler, PhD, Retired Professor of Sociology, Survivor

Living Well, Dying Well – Frank Bennett, PhD, MDiv, Chaplain and Susan O’Conner-Von, PhD, RN-BC, CNE, FNAP, Professor, School of Nursing, University of Minnesota

Speakers

Alison Crowley, C-IAYT – “Gentle Yoga Therapy for Stress Relief” and “Addressing Stress with Mindfulness”

Alison has been a Certified Yoga Therapist (C-IAYT) through Loyola Marymount University and a member of the International Association of Yoga Therapists since 2005.  She’s also been a Registered Yoga Teacher with the Yoga Alliance (E-RYT 500) since 2001.  Alison has specialized in working with people diagnosed with cancer since 2007.

She is the creator of The Audio Companion a collection of mind/body practices used in cancer support programs nationally, and as part of a study for stage 4 cancer and pain at Harvard Medical School’s, Dana Farber Cancer Institute Boston, MA.

Alison has taught and managed at some of LA’s most recognized yoga studios: The Center for Yoga, Liberation Yoga, and the former Anahata Yoga. She was a member of the first graduating class of Loyola Marymount University’s Yoga Therapy Rx Program under the direction of Larry Payne, Ph.D. and is also certified through Jnani Chapman’s (RN) Yoga Therapy for Cancer and Chronic Illness Program, NYC.  Alison leads teacher trainings for yoga therapists interested in teaching in the cancer community and in 2019, she received a special recognition award from the Health & Safety Commission of Beverly Hills, CA for her efforts in enhancing the lives of people with cancer.

Originally from NYC, she holds a BA from Connecticut College. Alison was inspired to become a yoga therapist by her mother’s chronic illnesses and dedicates her work to her memory, Meribah Cloud Crowley.  She thanks her family, friends, teachers, and is especially grateful to her students, who teach her so much about resilience, compassion, and kindness every single day.

Session Descriptions

Gentle Yoga Therapy for Stress Relief: This practice is suitable for those completely new to yoga, as well as those with some yoga experience.  Using gentle, mindful movement to stretch and strengthen the body, we’ll also use breath work and meditation to reduce stress and anxiety.  The physical sequences will be conducted primarily seated in chairs and relaxing positions on the back.  All are welcome!

How to Address Stress with Mindfulness: We will discuss and practice specific mindfulness techniques that can be used at the onset of stressful thoughts, feelings, and/or events.  Learning how to “respond” rather than “react” to our stressors, is helpful in calming the central nervous system allowing us to live our lives with less worry and more peace. 

Joe Leach, MD – “Advancements and Discoveries Like Never Before!”

Dr. Leach of Allina Health received his medical school training at the University of Minnesota and completed his fellowship at the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine. His professional interests include thoracic oncology, lung cancer, and clinical research. Dr. Leach says the thing that he loves most about being an oncologist is the relationships he’s developed with his patients and their families over the years. He says there is something sacred about his job that he’ll never take for granted.

Lindy Yokanovich, J.D., Executive Director of Cancer Legal Care – “Why Everyone Needs a Lawyer on Their Cancer Care Team”

Clare Poulose RN, MSN, Cancer Exercise Specialist – “Physical Activities to Improve the Cancer Journey”

Clare Poulose, is an oncology registered nurse (RN) who holds a Master’s of Science in Nursing (MSN), as well as certifications as a Personal Trainer and Cancer Exercise Specialist through American College of Sports Medicine and Physical Activity with Lymphedema (PAL).  

Clare started Survival 2 Strength a 501(c)3 organization in 2014 to help people who have cancer or who have had cancer, get stronger and healthier. Survival2Strength is a program with a focus on strength, coordination and mobility. It is individualized education with no obligation or expectations to purchase membership or training. You can reach Clare at , 651 470 1644 or survival2strength.com

Session Description: Physical activity and lung cancer, and exercises for functional living.

Russ Davies, Business Professional & Personal Fitness Trainer – “Physical Activities to Improve the Cancer Journey”

Russ is a medical device industry professional and has held senior executive roles in medical device businesses in Europe and the United States. He is a mechanical engineer by training, and holds an MBA from the Open Business School in the United Kingdom.

Lexy Zimmerman, RDN, LD – “Navigating Nutrition with a Lung Cancer Diagnosis”

Lexy is a clinical dietitian currently practicing at HealthPartners.  She has been working in outpatient oncology for the past seven years, providing nutrition support and guidance to patients and their families. She earned her Nutrition/Dietetics degree from the University of Minnesota in 2012 and completed her post graduate dietetic internship at the Medical University of South Carolina in 2014. She lives in St. Louis Park with her husband, three year old son, and fluffy orange cat, Louie.

Session Description: This session will provide evidence-based guidance on dietary recommendations before, during, and after treatment.  We will also discuss helpful resources to support you in getting the nutrition you need.

Allison Breininger, MA, Creator of The Negative Space – “Care for the Caregiver”

Allison Breininger has been a caregiver for her husband since 2011, through a bone marrow transplant and seven cancer diagnoses. Experiencing firsthand the ways that caregivers are unseen and unsupported, she founded the nonprofit The Negative Space, through which she shines light on the realities of caregiving, provides direct services to caregivers and educates and equips those who support them with concrete tools and strategies. She co-hosts the In Sickness podcast, provides individual coaching to caregivers nationwide, facilitates support groups and education sessions, partners with multiple organizations to more intentionally support caregivers, and sells caregiver gift boxes.

Website: www.thenegativespace.life

Podcast: www.insickness.care

Instagram: @negspacelife

Steve Buechler, PhD, Retired Professor of Sociology, Survivor – “Laughter is the Best Medicine”

Steve Buechler is a former sociology professor and eight year survivor of acute myeloid leukemia. Upon his recovery, he became a multi-faceted volunteer in the cancer community as writer, speaker, and writing workshop facilitator. He found humor to be a major coping strategy throughout his treatment and recovery is happy to share the benefits of humor with others in the cancer community. His memoir How Steve Became Ralph: A Cancer/Stem Cell Odyssey (with Jokes) chronicles his cancer journey and initial recovery. His new book Listening to Cancer: Essays on Treatment, Survivorship, and Giving Back features 40 essays on what he has learned throughout his survivorship.

More on his activities is at www.stevebuechlerauthor.com

Session Description: This session will describe several cancer coping strategies and how humor in particular sustained the presenter throughout his cancer treatment and recovery. We will also explore the affirmative philosophy of improvisation, the multiple benefits of humor, and how to bring more humor and laughter into our daily lives.

Frank Bennett, PhD, MDiv, Chaplain – “Finding Hope and Resilience through Your Spirituality”

Dr. Bennett is the founder of the Living Well/Dying Well initiative and Senior Teaching Fellow at the Center for Spirituality & Healing at the University of Minnesota School of Nursing. Dr. Bennett is dedicated to the goal of supporting patient-centered decision-making for improved quality of life. His education includes a BS in education, an MDiv in pastoral care, and a PhD in nursing. Since 2006, he has been a chaplain in hospitals and long-term care facilities.

Susan O’Conner-Von PhD, RN-BC, CNE, FNAP – “Finding Hope and Resilience through Your Spirituality”

Dr. Susan O’Conner-Von is a Professor in the School of Nursing at the University of Minnesota Susan has been a nurse for over 45 years and was a hospice volunteer for older adults for 16 years. Throughout her career Susan has advanced interprofessional healthcare through her program of research, teaching and service activities with a focus on holistic palliative care across the lifespan.