I have become very involved in the cancer community, sharing my medical odyssey as viewed through a sociological lens.
Upcoming Appearances
Talk to Stillwater Multiple Myeloma Support Group.
May 12, 2021. “My Cancer Odyssey: Reflections from a Survivor.”
BMT Infonet Symposium
April 23, 2021. Celebrating a Second Chance at Life Survivorship. Group leader for a writing workshop.
16th Annual Cancer Survivorship Conference.
April 17, 2021. At this virtual conference sponsored by the Masonic Cancer Center of the University of Minnesota, Steve will be exhibiting and selling copies of his memoir.
2021 Health and Biomedical Sciences Summit Virtual Conference.
March 24, 2021. “Surviving Leukemia, Sustaining Self, Narrating Illness: An Autoethnography of Cancerland.” Minnesota State University, Mankato.
Midwest Sociological Society Annual Meeting.
March 21, 2021. “Surviving Leukemia, Sustaining Self, and Emotional Labor: An Autoethnography of Cancerland.”
Panels, Presentations & Appearances
February 17, 2021. “Why I Became a Legacy Donor.” Pre-recorded remarks at a Be the Match webinar on planned giving. Available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GtqL1nKqENI&feature=youtu.be.
February 11, 2021. “Facing Acute Myeloid Leukemia: Notes from a Survivor.” Talk to Leslie Darmofal’s nursing students in Physiological Integrity III class at Minnesota State University, Mankato.
January 19, 2021. “So What’s Your Story?” The Healing Power of Storytelling.” Educational class taught virtually at Gilda’s Club of the Twin Cities.
November 12, 2020. Community Advisory Board Meeting. WISE (“Writing for Insight, Strength, and Ease”) Project Teleconference.
October 28, 2020. “My Cancerland Odyssey.” Virtual presentation and interactive discussion with nursing students in Leslie Darmofal’s Physiological Integrity III class, Minnesota State University, Mankato.
September 26, 2020. “My ‘Be the Match’ Story” Pre-recorded remarks broadcast during Be the Match’s 2020 Virtual Gala Celebration, September 26, 2020. Available at youtu.be/qOZLE8yuMkY
July 21, 2020. “Managing Stress: Tips from a Cancer Survivor.” Interview with Thrivors Cancer Care Companion Newsletter, June edition, distributed through Amgen Oncology’s network.
July 15, 2020. “My Cancerland Odyssey … or How Nurses Became Some of My Favorite People.” Talk at Methodist Hospital Nursing Grand Rounds delivered to a small live audience and streamed via WebEx to hospital staff at https://vimeo.com/447126601/0116ccdb3d
June 5, 2020. My memoir “How Steve Became Ralph: A Cancer/Stem Cell Odyssey (with Jokes)” was added to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s list of suggested readings under the categories “inspiration” and “living with cancer” at www.lls.org/support/suggested-reading/books-adult-patients-and-their-caregivers/inspiration and www.lls.org/support/suggested-reading/books-adult-patients-and-their-caregivers/living-cancer
(April 4, 2020). “Experiential Cancer Stories: Notes on What Patients Need to Hear From Someone Who’s “Been There and Done That.” Society for Behavioral Medicine Annual Conference, San Francisco, CA. Update: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this conference was cancelled but Steve’s paper is available upon request.
March 24, 2020. “AML Survivor Makes Planned Gifts to Organizations That Saved His Life.” Published interview in “Cures for Tomorrow,” Be the Match’s spring 2020 Planned Giving newsletter at https://bethematch.org/blog/patient-stories/aml-survivor-makes-planned-gift-to-the-trifecta-of-organizations-that-helped-save-his-life/
March 24, 2020. “So What’s Your Story?” The Healing Power of Storytelling.” Educational class taught at Gilda’s Club of the Twin Cities. The original clubhouse class was changed to a video class due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
March 19, 2020. Community Advisory Board Meeting. WISE (“Writing for Insight, Strength and Ease”) Project. Originally scheduled for an all-day meeting in Hackensack, NJ; changed to a teleconference due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
November 15, 2019. “My Transplant Experience … or How Ralph and I Became Inseparable Buddies.” Talk on ‘World Cord Blood Day’ at Be the Match National Headquarters, Minneapolis, MN.
November 12, 2019. “Facing Acute Myeloid Leukemia: Notes from a Survivor.” Talk to the Golden K Kiwanis Club of Roseville, MN.
October 24, 2019. “Facing Acute Myeloid Leukemia: Notes from a Survivor.” Talk to Leslie Darmofal’s nursing students in Physiological Integrity III class at Minnesota State University, Mankato.
October 10, 2019. “Surviving Leukemia, Sustaining Self, Narrating Illness: An Autoethnography of Cancerland.” Plenary Address to the annual meeting of the Sociologists of Minnesota at Minnesota State University, Mankato.
October 2, 2019. “Surviving Cancer and Sustaning Self: A Cancerland Odyssey.” Presentation to the President and Administrative Staff, Park Nicollet Methodist Hospital, St. Louis Park, MN.
September 21, 2019. “Facing Acute Myeloid Leukemia; Notes from a Survivor.” Talk to clients of Spectrum Financial Group, Crave Restaurant, Eden Prairie, MN.
September 9, 2019. Community Advisory Board Meeting. WISE (“Writing for Insight, Strength, and Ease”) Project Teleconference.
July 27, 2019. Exhibitor/Sales of “How Steve Became Ralph.” Marrow on the Move Fundraiser for the Blood and Marrow Transplant Unit of the U. of Minnesota; Lake Nokomis, Minneapolis, MN.
May 14, 2019. Community Advisory Board Meeting. WISE (“Writing for Insight, Strength and Ease”) Project Conference, Georgetown University, Washington D. C.
May 5, 2018. “Surviving Acute Myeloid Leukemia with a Stem Cell Transplant.” Panelist at University of Minnesota Masonic Cancer Center 13th Annual Cancer Survivorship Conference, Minneapolis, MN.
March 23, 2018. “Narrating Illness: A Cancer/Stem Cell Odyssey” Midwest Sociological Society meetings, Minneapolis, MN.
July 29, 2017. “My Transplant Experience on the BMT Unit.” Keynote Address at Marrow on the Move Fundraiser for the Blood and Marrow Transplant Unit of the U. of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN.
July 18, 2017. “The Role of Mindfulness in Navigating Illness.” Address to Cigna sponsored Conference on Physician Leadership Development Program via Teleconference.