Stronger Together: Reflections from the 2026 ALK Positive Summit

There is something incredibly powerful about bringing together patients, researchers, clinicians, and advocates who all share the same goal: changing the future of lung cancer. That spirit was on full display at the 2026 ALK Positive Summit recently in Washington, DC.  

ALK Positive, a patient-founded and patient-driven organization, is committed to transforming the future of everyone affected by ALK-positive lung cancer, a distinct form of lung cancer that occurs when one of a person's ALK genes latches on to another gene by mistake and creates an abnormality called an ALK gene fusion. 

The organization works directly with the scientific community to ensure that patient input helps shape the future of ALK-positive research and care. They have committed nearly $11 million dollars to research since 2017.

Throughout this year’s Summit, more than 525 in-person attendees and more than 500 virtual attendees heard the latest research updates, learned about emerging treatment advances and clinical trials, and engaged directly with leaders in the field. Such experts included keynote speaker Dr. Stephen Liu of Georgetown University's Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, and specialists from MD Anderson Cancer Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Massachusetts General Hospital, among other leading centers.

Equally inspiring was the sense of community that filled every room. Whether it was a morning walk led by ALK Positive’s President Kirk Smith, or an evening spin on the dance floor with many hugs in between, this community is connected, supportive, and stronger together. The idea that connection and community make us stronger closely aligns with the Susan Wojcicki Foundation's belief that patients should be partners in research, helping inform and accelerate discoveries that can improve outcomes for generations to come.

A Valued Partner in the Lung Cancer Genetics Study

While ALK Positive has been funding various research projects on their own, they have also been one of the Foundation's valued advocacy partners from the very beginning on the Lung Cancer Genetics Study — a nationwide effort to collect genetic and patient-reported data, with the goal of helping researchers uncover new patterns of lung cancer risk.

I left the Summit inspired—not only by the scientific progress being made, but by the passion, resilience, and generosity of a community committed to making a difference for those living with lung cancer today and for future generations.

To learn more about ALK Positive visit alkpositive.org.

You can also learn more about the Susan Wojcicki Foundation's Lung Cancer Genetics Study, including our collaborators and the eligibility criteria. 

Arin Assero works on patient advocacy and community engagement for the Susan Wojcicki Foundation. She manages the Foundation’s partnerships with organizations like ALK Positive, helping us keep patient perspectives at the forefront of our work.