Join the YA Cancer Gabfest Scavenger Hunt!

It was a fan favorite last year, so YA Cancer Gabfest is hosting another scavenger hunt this year! No matter where you call home, you can join this completely online scavenger hunt through the free app, Goosechase, brought to you by Cactus Cancer Society and Elephants and Tea!

Who: the young adult cancer community

When: Wednesday, November 30th @ 9:00am PT / 11:00am CT / 12:00pm ET through Wednesday, December 7th @ 9:00am PT / 11:00am CT / 12:00pm ET via Goosechase app.* (*US time zones…please confirm what time this means for where you live)

How does it work?

  • First, download the free app, available for Apple and Android. 
  • Second, sign up for a free account!
  • Third, find our game! You can search for “YA Cancer Gabfest 2022 Scavenger Hunt” or use the unique game code “8XB7MD.” Game Password: Gabster2022
  • Fourth, complete missions, as many as you’d like or can, within the weeklong time period. Missions are scored individually with bonus points awarded for extra creativity!

We’ve got prizes for the top three scoring winners! (Please note that by participating in the GooseChase game, you agree to let Cactus Cancer Society/Elephants and Tea use anything you upload in the scavenger hunt on social media, our websites, as well as in the scavenger hunt winner announcements at YA Cancer Gabfest.) We’ll be announcing the champions at YA Cancer Gabfest’s After Hours session on Friday, Dec 9, so make sure you’re registered for YA Cancer Gabfest!

We can’t wait to see all your creativity shine through. Happy hunting!

Join Gabfest’s Scavenger Hunt!

scavenger hunt table top

Gabfest is hosting a scavenger hunt this year! No matter where you call home, you can join this completely online scavenger hunt through the free app, Goosechase, brought to you by Cactus Cancer Society and Elephants and Tea!

Who: the young adult cancer community

When: Monday, December 6th @ 9 am PT / 11 am CT / noon ET through Thursday, December 10th @ 12:01 am PT / 2:01 am CT / 3:01 am ET via Goosechase app.* (*US time zones…please confirm what time this means for where you live)

How does it work?

  • First, download the free app, available for Apple and Android. 
  • Second, sign up for a free account!
  • Third, find our game! You can search for “Gabfest Scavenger Hunt” or use the unique game code “XDMRWQ.” Game Password: Gabster
  • Fourth, complete missions, as many as you’d like or can, within the 4-day time period. Missions are scored individually with bonus points awarded for extra creativity!

We’ve got prizes for the top three scoring winners! (Please note that by participating in the GooseChase game, you agree to let Cactus Cancer Society/Elephants and Tea use anything you upload in the scavenger hunt on social media, our websites, as well as in the scavenger hunt winner announcements at Gabfest.) We’ll be announcing the champions at Gabfest’s After Hours session on Friday, Dec 10.

For questions, feel free to reach out to programs@cactuscancer.org.

Happy hunting!

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.

GABFEST IS NEXT WEEK

Did you know…that GABFEST IS NEXT WEEK!  We’ve teamed up with Elephants and Tea, taken the greatest pieces of an in-person survivorship conference, brought it online, and spread it out over the next week.

Throughout the week of December 7th, we invite you to share, explore, and learn as we interact together.  You are the expert in your own care, so along with experts in the fields, Gabfest will combine and elevate the individual voices of the young adult cancer community.

We have a great agenda lined up, fabulous opportunities for learning and connecting, a raffle each night (more on that at our opening welcome), and more!

Learn more and sign up here!

Guided Yoga Nidra Meditation With Momma G

garden gnome meditating

Angie Giallourakis (aka Momma G) will be leading four guided yoga nidra meditation classes! Each class will start at 6:30pm Eastern Time Zone every other Sunday starting on November 8th. If you’d like to just join one class or join all four the choice is yours!

This is a collaboration with our friends at Elephants and Tea!

Sign up here to join Momma G! We look forward to seeing you! You will receive a confirmation email upon registering.

Session One: The Compassionate Heart and Your Thirty Trillion Cells – November 8th

Session Two: The Waterfall – November 22nd

Session Three: Visualize Your Inner Strength – December 6th

Session Four: Love Yourself – December 20th

Note: Each session will be approximately one hour.

The Mind, Body, And Soul Series Is Back!

sunrise over water

Join the young adult cancer communities of Dear Jack Foundation, Elephants and Tea, and Lacuna Loft during our month-long, Mind, Body, and Soul wellness series in October for an opportunity to connect, grow, and stretch!  We will be offering weekly, 90-minute sessions to help enhance the mind, body, and spirit and provide a chance to break down some of the isolation we’ve all been experiencing over the last few weeks.  Whether you are a seasoned yogi, meditator, doodle genius, or a newbie to the world of mind and body care, come and try something new in a safe, fun, and encouraging environment – your own home!

These classes will be free and hosted through Zoom and all experience levels are welcome!  You can come to one or come to all!  Sign up on the form below!

Schedule
All classes will start at 9 am PT/10 am MT/noon ET

Friday, October 9th – Soul, Zentangle with Lacuna Loft
Friday, October 16th – Body, Yoga with Dear Jack Foundation
Friday, October 23rd – Mind, Meditation with Elephants and Tea
Friday, October 30th – Halloween Mind, Body, and Soul Series Hangout

Want to learn more about each session in the Mind, Body, and Soul Series?

10.9 – Soul – Zentangle Workshop with Lacuna Loft

Join us for a short Zentangle doodle! Zentangles are the art of drawing simple shapes into repetitive, meditative patterns while creating a larger drawing, without having to worry about precision. All you’ll need is paper, a pencil, a thin black sharpie, a regular black sharpie, and a ruler! We’ll walk you through the basics, so you can then create your own, one of a kind, uniquely you Zentangle!

10.16 – Body – Yoga with Dear Jack Foundation

Let’s join together as an online commUNITY with a Slow Flow Yoga class. Yoga means union of the physical body through breath. That begins the journey inward where we can access the spirit, soul, and center of wisdom and bliss. We will take careful notice of the physical body and then connect intentionally with the breath that sustains and gives us a sense of ease. After settling in, the body will flow freely on the mat through a series of poses that will provide flexibility, strength, and connection to our true nature. We will end class with a short meditation to further develop mindfulness. This class is for everyone – all skill levels are welcome!

10.23 – Mind – Meditation with Elephants and Tea

This Meditation Session will introduce the participant to breathe and body sensing in order to tune-in and relax the mind and body. The session will be approximately 30 – 40 minutes. Participants will learn about how meditation can help reduce stress. At the end of the session, participants will be given the opportunity to ask questions of the teacher.

Angie is a Level II iRest Yoga Nidra Meditation Teacher.

10.30 – Halloween Hangout

Join Dear Jack Foundation, Elephants and Tea, and Lacuna Loft for the wrap up to our Mind, Body, Soul Digital Series in a fun and informal Happy Hour Hangout! We’ll talk about your overall month, any skills you learned during the month during the sessions, favorite moments, and opportunities for us to improve your experience. Hangout with other people who understand what it’s like to go through young adult cancer and costumes will be encouraged!

Come And Gab With Us

Presented by Elephants and Tea and Lacuna Loft, YA Cancer Gabfest’s mission is to Empower the AYA Cancer Community to Embrace Their Voice and Story.

Throughout the week of December 7th, we invite you to share, explore, and learn as we interact together.  Gabfest will meet each day for 3 hours in the evening, starting at 7:30 pm ET.  Each day will consist of a crash course, an interactive panel/discussion/talk, and a hangout (aka, Gabfest After Hours).  You are welcome to attend a single session of the event or as many sessions and days as you would like.  When you sign up below, we’ll send you everything you’ll need to attend the session(s) you are interested in!

We’ll offer opportunities to connect with other young adults facing cancer in crash courses, interactive panel discussions, hangouts, and more.

Each day will have a new theme(s). The Themes at Gabfest will focus on*:
Monday: Opening Day, Who is the Expert in the Room?
Tuesday: Self-Advocacy + Storytelling
Wednesday: Mental Health + Wellness
Thursday: Metastatic, Caregiving, and Sexual Health + Relationships (separate tracks)
Friday: YA Cancer and Your Body

*Please note themes are subject to change.

Who: the YA Cancer Community (young adult cancer patients, survivors, and caregivers; healthcare professionals, nonprofit professionals, and patient advocates working with YAs facing cancer)

When: Monday, December 7th – Friday, December 11th via video chat

 

Come spill tea with us no matter where you are! Sign up below, now!

Thank you to our partners + sponsors!

Diamond Sponsor

Bronze Sponsor

abridge logo smaller

Check Out Gabfest!

Presented by Elephants and Tea and Lacuna Loft, YA Cancer Gabfest’s mission is to Empower the AYA Cancer Community to Embrace Their Voice and Story.

Throughout the week of December 7th, we invite you to share, explore, and learn as we interact together.  You are the expert in your own care, so along with experts in the fields, Gabfest will combine and elevate the individual voices of the young adult cancer community.

We’ll offer opportunities to connect with other young adults facing cancer in crash courses, interactive panel discussions, hangouts, and more.

Each day will have a new theme(s). The Themes at Gabfest will focus on*:
Monday: Opening Day, Who is the Expert in the Room?
Tuesday: Self-Advocacy + Storytelling
Wednesday: Mental Health + Wellness
Thursday: Metastatic, Caregiving, and Sexual Health + Relationships (separate tracks)
Friday: YA Cancer and Your Body

*Please note themes are subject to change.

Who: the YA Cancer Community (young adult cancer patients, survivors, and caregivers; healthcare professionals, nonprofit professionals, and patient advocates working with YAs facing cancer)

When: Monday, December 7th – Friday, December 11th via video chat

How does it work? Gabfest will meet each day for 3 hours in the evening (exact time is TBD).  Each day will consist of a crash course, an interactive panel/discussion/talk, and a hangout (aka, Gabfest After Hours).  You are welcome to attend a single session of the event or as many sessions and days as you would like.  When you sign up below, we’ll send you everything you’ll need to attend the session(s) you are interested in!

 

Come spill tea with us no matter where you are! Sign up below, now!

Thank you to our partners + sponsors!

Diamond Sponsor

Guided Yoga Nidra Meditation with Elephants and Tea

yoga nidra

Over at Elephants and Tea, Angie Giallourakis (aka Momma G) will be leading four, guided yoga nidra meditation classes!  Each class will start at 3:30 pm PT / 5:30 pm CT / 6:30 pm ET every other Sunday starting on July 26th.  If you’d like to just join one class or join all four the choice is yours!

Sign up below to join Momma G! We look forward to seeing you! You will receive a confirmation email upon registering.

Session One: The Compassionate Heart and Your Thirty Trillion Cells – July 26th

Session Two: The Waterfall – August 9th

Session Three: Visualize Your Inner Strength – August 23rd

Session Four: Love Yourself – September 6th

Note: Each session will be approximately one hour. The session includes discussion following the group meditation for anyone interested.

To sign up, go here!

Join A Month-Long Mind, Body, And Soul Series

mind body spirit series

Join the young adult cancer communities of the Dear Jack Foundation, Elephants and Tea, and Lacuna Loft during our month-long, Mind, Body, and Soul wellness series in May for an opportunity to connect, grow, and stretch!  We will be offering weekly, 90-minute sessions to help enhance the mind, body, and spirit and provide a chance to break down some of the isolation we’ve all been experiencing over the last few weeks.  Whether you are a seasoned yogi, meditator, or writer, or a newbie to the world of mind and body care, come and try something new in a safe, fun, and encouraging environment – your own home!

These classes will be free and hosted through Zoom and all experience levels are welcome!  You can come to one or come to all!  Sign up on the form below!

Schedule
Thursday, May 7th at 9 am PT/10 am MT/noon ET – Mind, Body, and Spirit Wellness Series Intro Happy Hour Hangout
Thursday, May 14th at 9 am PT/10 am MT/noon ET – Creative Writing with Mallory Casperson
Thursday, May 21st at 9 am PT/10 am MT/noon ET – Slow Flow Yoga with Tara Picklo
Thursday, May 28th at 9 am PT/10 am MT/noon ET – Meditation with Angie Giallourakis

Want to learn more about each session in the Mind, Body, and Soul Series?

5/7 Mind, Body, and Spirit Wellness Series Intro Happy Hour Hangout

Join Dear Jack Foundation, Elephants and Tea, and Lacuna Loft for the kickoff to our Mind, Body, Soul Digital Series in a fun and informal Happy Hour Hangout! We’ll talk about the AYA cancer community, each of the great organizations bringing you the Mind, Body, Soul Series, what you can expect at each session, and more! Hangout with other people who understand what it’s like to go through young adult cancer.

5/14 Mind: Writing Workshop hosted by Lacuna Loft

The Writing Workshop Session will take the group through some purposeful journaling! Many of us, while going through a crisis such as young adult cancer, find writing out our thoughts, fears, or emotions to be very helpful. Sometimes though, sitting down to write can seem overwhelming. Together, we’ll go through 2 short writes, responding to writing prompts in 5-minute intervals and then reading out loud if desired. Join a group of young adult cancer patients, survivors, and caregivers in a writing workshop!

5/21 Body: Yoga hosted by Dear Jack Foundation

Let’s join together as an online commUNITY with a Slow Flow Yoga class. Yoga means union of the physical body through breath. That begins the journey inward where we can access the spirit, soul, and center of wisdom and bliss. We will take careful notice of the physical body and then connect intentionally with the breath that sustains and gives us a sense of ease. After settling in, the body will flow freely on the mat through a series of poses that will provide flexibility, strength, and connection to our true nature. We will end class with a short meditation to further develop mindfulness. This class is for everyone – all skill levels are welcome!

5/28 Soul: Meditation hosted by Elephants and Tea

This Meditation Session will introduce the participant to breathe and body sensing in order to tune-in and relax the mind and body. The session will be approximately 30 – 40 minutes. Participants will learn about how meditation can help reduce stress. At the end of the session, participants will be given the opportunity to ask questions of the teacher.

Angie is a Level II iRest Yoga Nidra Meditation Teacher.