Have You Heard Of Mend Together?

Lacuna Loft loves sharing resources we find valuable with you and today is no different. Few people probably know that Lacuna Loft started out as a sole proprietorship where we sold ‘cancer care packages’ for loved ones to buy a patient or survivor in their life. It had all of those great products that we as patients and survivors know are super helpful when you’re going through cancer treatment and entering survivorship. Out of that grew Lacuna Loft as you know it today, a nonprofit where we host psychosocial and support programs for young adults facing cancer, but it’s always been important to me to figure out how to get what’s needed most into the hands of young adults with cancer.

With that in mind, have you heard of Mend Together? They are a platform where you can organize what you need with your family and friends into a gift + cash registry. Think the knot or amazon wish lists but even better because Mend Together is specifically designed for cancer patients and survivors.

It’s so hard sometimes to respond when well-meaning family and friends ask, “How can I help?” Especially when sometimes you just really need a specific kind of toothpaste to help with dry mouth, a pair of cozy socks for the infusion room, or maybe just Tuesday night dinner. Mend Together is a free platform that helps organize exactly what you need. You pick the items you need and add them to the registry. They even have tools on the platform that help others learn what to say and do for someone facing cancer! Mend Together includes a gift + cash registry, community journal, and volunteer calendar.

If you’re interested in setting up a registry, use the code LACUNA100. That will get you a free Cancer Support Kit that includes free gifts, resources, and a $100 in-site credit to use on Mend Together’s products and services. Mend Together will also donate $20 to Lacuna Loft to help support our mission and programs.

How does it work?

Patients/Survivors of a friend/family member can create a free registry and add over 300 products, services, and cash funds to it as well as send updates to loved ones. Friends and family can then choose a gift to send, contribute funds for financial assistance, send encouraging words, or donate time.

Learn more about how to help people rally around you when you need them most using Mend Together.

Write Now With Jean Rowe: Grounded

rock structure

Lacuna Loft is proud to present our newest blog initiative: Write Now with Jean Rowe! Each month, come on over to Young Adult Voices and read everything Jean Rowe, Certified Journal Therapist, has to say! Love what you’re reading? Check out the many programs Jean is facilitating (including 30 Minute Tune-Up, Lost and Found, Lacuna Loft’s Weekly Journal Prompt, and It’s a Wonderful Life) and sign up to join one today!

2021 has started with a bang.  Let’s focus on how we can stay grounded no matter what is swirling around us.  Let’s invite ways to hold our center and remember to chuckle when, as Betty Davis said, “fasten your seatbelts; it’s going to be a bumpy night.”  The hopeful news is that there are simple ways to help ourselves.

Some of what is recommended is common sense and what we already know, and, yet, it is okay to return to this good direction when we need help.  There is no requirement here.  These are options for you to ponder.  Notice what feels right for you.

Connect with others.  You know who your people are.  Remember to share how you are doing and check in on others (even if they appear to be fine).  Take a break from the news.  Take a break from social media.  Get outside.  Get more sleep.  Consider making a daily, small gratitude list.  Try meditation for five minutes.

Journal!

Try this: make a list of the ways you stay grounded (and maybe already are!).  Write for five minutes and see what surfaces.  Are you doing these things?  Might you return to them to help feel grounded?  Did something new appear?

Let me know how it goes.  I’d love to hear from you!

You never know what someone else is going through.
Be kind.
Always.
[Quoted often; Claimed by many]

Join An Origami Workshop

Join Lacuna Loft for our next Creative Art Workshop: Origami and #LetsMakeStuff together!  Brandie will go through everything you’ll need to know to craft several different kinds of this paper folding art form.  Enjoy time making them all while hanging out with other young adult cancer patients, survivors, and caregivers.  We’ll send you what you need!

Who: 20 young adult cancer patients, survivors, and caregivers.

When: Friday, February 12th @ 4:30-6:30 pm PT / 6:30-8:30 pm CT / 7:30-9:30 pm ET via video chat.* (*US time zones…please confirm what time this means for where you live).

How does it work? We’ll send you all of the materials you need to participate! Lacuna Loft will send you an email about a week before the workshop with information on how to join the video chat. ***You’ll need the link that we’ll provide you, a headset with a microphone, and a webcam.***

Please note: Due to the global pandemic and ever-increasing customs and delivery times, we have stopped shipping outside of the United States. If you are interested in joining, please fill out the form and we will send you a list of supplies needed to participate, so you can still join us! Thank you for your understanding! If you have any questions, you can contact aerial@lacunaloft.org.

Sign up here!

Join A Focus Group + Be Heard!

man at desk

Are you between the ages of 26-35 and have been diagnosed with ALL or AML? We’d love to chat with you!

Join a focus group, hosted by Lacuna Loft, Elephants and Tea, and Servier Pharmaceuticals. Servier is looking to speak with 15 young adults facing cancer, ages 26-35, about your survivorship. The good, the bad, and everything in between. Better understanding your survivorship challenges will help Servier better innovate in their creation and delivery of cancer tools and resources.

The group will be focused around ALL and AML survivors but young adults facing other diagnoses may also attend. The focus group will take place on Feb. 10th or Feb 11th. 5-6:30 pm PT / 7-8:30 pm CT / 8-9:30 pm ET.

Each focus group will bring together 5-10 young adults facing cancer for a moderated discussion over 2 hours. The discussion will happen over Zoom so you can be comfy and cozy at home for the whole thing. You will be compensated for your time and energy because your voice and perspective are so important in the delivery of cancer survivorship resources.

Sign up below to join the discussion today and offer your voice!

Have questions?  Email mallory@lacunaloft.org.

Join The Survivorship Series

woman at laptop

Welcome to the Survivorship Series!

Together, 25 young adults facing cancer (patients, survivors, or caregivers) will go through a 6-week, online program experience where you’ll hit the highlights of our workshops!  You’ll form a tight-knit community and every other week, you’ll take part in a different 2-hour program with the same group of young adults moving together through the series.

In week 1 you’ll join a Creative Art Workshop, in week 3 a Young Adult Cancer Hangout + Game Night, and in week 5 a Creative Writing/Journaling Workshop.  In between workshops, you’ll have access to a private Facebook group for your cohort of 25 young adults where you can connect and communicate.  You may only take part in the series once, and when you sign up you are committing to taking part in all 6 weeks.

The first round of the Survivorship Series has been scheduled and starts on Wednesday, Feb. 17th! 

Week 1:  Wednesday, February 17 @ 4 pm PT / 6 pm CT / 7 pm ET – Creative Art Workshop (a very cool, cactus paper mosaic)
Week 3:  Wednesday, March 3 @ 4 pm PT / 6 pm CT / 7 pm ET – YAC Hangout / Game Night
Week 5:  Wednesday, March 17 @ 4 pm PT / 6 pm CT / 7 pm ET – Journaling/Creative Writing Workshop

The Bridge – A Journaling Workshop for Grief, Loss, + Healing

bridge

Jean Rowe, Certified Journal Therapist, is launching another program with Lacuna Loft!  You can connect with Jean here.

Lacuna Loft is pleased to offer The Bridge: When Before and After Meet – A Journal workshop for Grief, Loss, and Healing.  This will be a 6-week workshop using journal techniques to recognize, embrace, and cultivate acceptance around the themes of grief, loss, and healing.  Of particular focus is the “before” and “after” of a cancer diagnosis and the multilayered impact it brings.

Who: Young adult cancer patients, survivors, and caregivers.

Where: Online video chat. We’ll send you more information about joining after you register. Please have a microphone headset and a webcam.

When: Starting February 7th and going for 6 weeks on Sundays, 3-5 pm PT / 5-7 pm CT / 6-8 pm ET.  A commitment to attend every date is important to group continuity and in creating a safe space.  Please be on time 🙂

Meet Xenia, Our Featured Community Member of the Week!

Meet Xenia Rybak.

Home: New York City, NY

Horoscope: Capricorn

Favorite book: A hard one because I’ve read 70+ books alone in the pandemic

Hero: My mom, my grandmothers, and RBG

Superpower: Energy

Hardest challenge: getting out of bed every day

Guilty pleasure: None- I own all the stuff I like and I don’t care who doesn’t

Favorite Lacuna Loft Program: Creative Art Workshops

Proudest moment: completing the NYC Marathon

The best piece of advice I’ve received: “Compare leads to dispare.”

How I stay mentally healthy: laughing at almost anything

Personal Mantra: Why not?

My favorite part of being part of Lacuna Loft: knowing I’m not alone in this crazy cancer experience

Create A Vision Board For 2021

messy desk

Kick off 2021 by creating your own Vision Board alongside other young adult cancer patients, survivors, and caregivers.  Join us in this online creative workshop to put your hopes, dreams, and goals together into a beautiful collage that you can use for inspiration and a positive focus throughout the year ahead.

This workshop will occur over 2 sessions.  During the first session, on January 26, 2021, you’ll learn about vision boards and begin to create your own vision board.  On February 2, 2021,  you’ll have the opportunity to share your vision for the year ahead with other young adult cancer patients, survivors, and caregivers. Please commit to both sessions!  Come together with other young adults facing cancer and #LetsMakeStuff!

Who: young adult cancer patients, survivors, and caregivers.

When: January 26th and February 2nd @ 4-6 pm PT / 6-8 pm CT / 7-9 pm ET via video chat.

How does it work? There will not be a supply box sent for this workshop and there will be no limit to how many can join.   Make sure you’re signed up on our Program List using the link below and turn on notifications for either (or both) creative art workshops and young adult cancer hangouts.  Those segments of the list will receive an email from Lacuna Loft a few days before the workshop with information on how to join the video chat.  ***You’ll need the link that we’ll provide you, a headset with a microphone, and a webcam.***

Click here to sign up to be notified when this program is announced by choosing it under ‘Programs you’re interested in.’ (Feel free to choose to be notified when other programs are announced too!)

Valentine’s Day Make and Send Cards!

Join Lacuna Loft for our next Creative Art Workshop: Valentine’s Day Make and Send Cards, and #LetsMakeStuff together!  Craft a punny, silly, or warm-wish Valentine’s Day card for a fellow program participant, and then drop it in the mail in our card exchange!  Whether it’s a grade-A card or a bit more kindergarten, enjoy time making them all while hanging out with other young adult cancer patients, survivors, and caregivers.  We’ll send you what you need!

Who: 20 young adult cancer patients, survivors, and caregivers.

When: Wednesday, January 27th @ 4:30-6:30 pm PT / 6:30-8:30 pm CT / 7:30-9:30 pm ET via video chat.* (*US time zones…please confirm what time this means for where you live).

How does it work? We’ll send you all of the materials you need to participate! Lacuna Loft will send you an email about a week before the workshop with information on how to join the video chat. ***You’ll need the link that we’ll provide you, a headset with a microphone, and a webcam.***

Please note: Due to the global pandemic and ever-increasing customs and delivery times, we have stopped shipping outside of the United States. If you are interested in joining, please fill out the form and we will send you a list of supplies needed to participate, so you can still join us! Thank you for your understanding! If you have any questions, you can contact aerial@lacunaloft.org.