I have become very involved in the cancer community, sharing my medical odyssey as viewed through a sociological lens.
Upcoming Appearances
Healthy Communities 2020 and Beyond: The Social Determinants of Health
Steve has submitted a proposal for a talk at this conference at Minnesota State, Mankato on October 7, 2020. The title of his talk is “Surviving Leukemia, Sustaining Self, Narrating Illness: An Autoethnography of Cancerland.”
15th Annual Cancer Survivorship Conference
At this conference sponsored by the Masonic Cancer Center of the University of Minnesota on June 6, 2020, Steve will be exhibiting and selling copies of his memoir “How Steve Became Ralph: A Cancer/Stem Cell Odyssey (with Jokes).”
Be the Match Interview
Steve has been interviewed by the Be the Match Foundation on his cancer odyssey and the role that three organizations (Methodist Hospital, University of Minnesota Medical Center, and Be the Match) played in his survival as well as his subsequent planned gifts to these organizations. The interview will be disseminated through various social media outlets in summer of 2020.
Methodist Hospital Nursing Grand Rounds for Nurses Week 2020
Steve has been invited to speak at Grand Rounds to Nursing staff at Methodist Hospital in St. Louis Park, Minnesota on May 6, 2020. The title of his talk is “My Cancerland Odyssey … or How Nurses Became Some of My Favorite People.”
Society for Behavioral Medicine
Steve has been invited to participate in a symposium at the annual meeting of this organization in San Francisco on April 4, 2020. The title of his talk is “Experiential Cancer Stories: Notes on What Patients Need to Hear From Someone Who’s “Been There and Done That.”
Gilda’s Club of the Twin Cities
Steve will be doing an educational class/talk with an interactive component at Gilda’s Club of the Twin Cities on March 24, 2020 at 12 pm. The title of the class/talk is “So What’s Your Story?” The Healing Power of Storytelling.”
WISE Study Board Meeting
Steve will be participating in the WISE (Writing for Integrity, Strength and Ease) Study Community Advisory Board Meeting on March 19, 2020 at John Theurer Cancer Center at the Hackensack, NJ University Medical Center.
Panels, Presentations & Appearances
January 10, 2020. “My Cancer Odyssey.” Televised interview with Jason de Rusha and Heather Brown of CBS local affiliate WCCO, Minneapolis, MN.
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. Followed by onsite book sale/signing.
October 24, 2019. “Facing Acute Myeloid Leukemia: Notes from a Survivor.” Talk to an advanced class of Leslie Darmofal’s nursing students at Minnesota State University, Mankato.
October 18/20, 2019. “My Cancer Story.” Phone Interview with Colorado high school student Jaylene Gonzalez for a class project.
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. Followed by onsite book sale/signing.
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. Followed by distribution of signed copies of my memoir to all attendees compliments of Ross Thorfinnson.
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.
Feb. 14, 2019. “Life with AML: Steve’s Diagnosis and Treatment Journey.” Patient Power website at www.patientpower.info/video/life-with-aml-steve-s-diagnosis-and-treatment-journey.
Dec 21, 2018. “Emerging Research and Promising AML Treatment Approaches” Patient Power website at www.patientpower.info/video/emerging-research-and-promising-aml-treatment-approaches.
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.