Lacuna Loft is excited to continue introducing more young adult voices! These great folks represent a variety of perspectives on the myriad of topics covered here at Lacuna Loft. Before everyone starts really getting into the nitty-gritty of all they have to say, we wanted to introduce them a bit. Without further ado, here is Marloe!

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Marloe is an RN and oncology certified nurse working as a Breast Care Nurse Navigator in Milwaukee, WI. She graduated from UW-Madison School of Nursing (go Badgers!) in 2008, and has worked with the oncology population in some form or another since. In 2014, her personal and professional lives collided in the most unexpected of ways when she was diagnosed with invasive breast cancer at the age of 29.

Despite her professional experience in oncology, Marloe found herself unprepared for the emotional impact of her diagnosis, and she turned to writing as a way to cope with the upheaval and uncertainty that cancer had brought into her life. Upon her return to work, she implemented an expressive writing workshop in an effort to share with others the value of writing their way through cancer. Currently, she facilitates the Healing Words support program for cancer survivors, offered monthly through her clinic’s wellness center.

As an advocate for sexual health and wellness, Marloe has had the opportunity to spend time in her community educating both cancer survivors and healthcare professionals on the topic of cancer and sexuality, including presenting for the Young Survival Coalition, the Oncology Nursing Society Wisconsin Capitol Chapter, and Planned Parenthood of WI. She is currently enrolled in the University of Michigan Sexual Health Certificate Program, and hopes that her efforts will help bring to light this often unaddressed but very real long-term survivorship issue.

Marloe lives in the Bay View neighborhood of Milwaukee with her husband and their cat, Princess Leia, in a fixer-upper that has “a lot of potential.” When she’s not at work or supervising her husband’s house projects, you’re likely to find her reading, writing, running, or enjoying a cold beverage and contemplating life. She’s also fairly competent at crochet, which comes in handy during the cold, dark Wisconsin winters. She is excited to join the voices of Lacuna Loft as a way to connect, inspire, and affirm the experiences of her fellow young adult survivors.