Linnea Olson was a founding member of what would become Medidata’s Patient Insights Board. Linnea lived with lung cancer for nearly 17 years prior to her death in November of 2021. She blazed a trail by participating in SIX phase I clinical trials, the first one in 2008 when there were no further traditional treatment options available. This came at a time when lung cancer research was at a tipping point and her doctors identified that Linnea had an ALK mutation for which they were testing new treatments. As she said, “... when you’re chased by a bear to the edge of a cliff, you jump.” Linnea jumped. Six Times. Her participation in each trial added to new, approved lines of novel therapeutics. Linnea’s ability to eloquently and generously share her experiences and to push back when something seemingly didn’t best serve the needs of patients was unparalleled. To honor her extraordinary life and to ensure her legacy lives on, Medidata established the Linnea Olson Award for Patient Advocacy in 2022 which was awarded to Linnea posthumously, as the inaugural recipient.
In her own words, her TEDx talk from November 2019:
Patient, parent, person, research subject | Linnea Olson | TEDxBeaconStreet
Here are just a few of the many tributes and expressions of appreciation: