Livestrong Welcomes John Owens to Board of Directors - Livestrong
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Livestrong Welcomes John Owens to Board of Directors

April 1, 2024

Livestrong, the pioneering nonprofit dedicated to improving the daily lives of cancer survivors, proudly welcomes John Owens to its Board of Directors.

John Owens retired in 2023 after 45 years in the family business, Owens Companies. Founded by his late father, Bob Owens, 66 years ago, Owens Companies is a leader in the commercial and residential HVAC service and energy management business.

John became involved in Livestrong after his brother Jim was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor in 1998. Jim passed away in 2009 but John gives much credit for his 10-year survival to the inspiration and support of Livestrong.

A longtime Livestrong Leader and One Voice Against Cancer advocate on Capitol Hill, John has been one of the top Livestrong Challenge fundraisers for over 20 years.

John is a lifelong Minnesotan and he and his wife of 37 years, Pat Strong, have three grown daughters and two grandchildren. He has always been active in the community and is the current Board Chair of the Minnesota North Dakota Better Business Bureau. Livestrong is grateful for his longstanding support and for the valuable insight he brings to the Board.

Established in 1997 with a mission to address the often-overlooked challenges in cancer care, Livestrong has supported more than 10 million cancer survivors. Notably, Livestrong played a pivotal role in establishing survivorship as a formal field of study in the cancer space. Livestrong’s empowering work includes programs to encourage physical activity after cancer treatment, assistance for people whose treatment affects fertility, and a library of information available for free online. Along with individual care, Livestrong creates and funds community programs that focus on the day-to-day concerns of survivors and works with policymakers and institutions to change how the world faces cancer. 

  • Press Contact: press@livestrong.org