Join the Next How to Turn Your Story Into Advocacy Workshop!

microphone with colorful backdrop

In a brand new, 90 minute, online workshop at Lacuna Loft, we’ll delve into how you can turn your young adult cancer story into change.  Advocacy comes in many different shapes and sizes so we’ll talk about what it might mean to you and how to go about shaping your own narrative into the change you want to see around you.  The workshop will be interactive and equip you with the skills you need to turn your story into advocacy.

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

When: Wednesday, May 29th. 4-5:30 pm PT / 6-7:30 pm CT / 7-8:30 pm ET

How does it work? When you sign up for the workshop, you’ll get a confirmation from the system that you’ve been confirmed into the workshop. Then a few days before the workshop occurs, you’ll get an email from Lacuna Loft explaining how to join the video chat. ***You’ll need the link that we’ll provide you, a headset with a microphone, and a webcam.*** [ The webcam is very important. The workshop will be interactive so the other participants need to be able to see your face! ]

If you’ve already taken part in this particular workshop, this month’s event isn’t for you. But! We’ll be figuring out a follow up to the workshop in the coming months and will let you know when that is announced.

Want To Tell Your Story In LA?

hollywood sign

Want to tell your young adult cancer story in LA?

SoulPancake is now casting for a new storytelling series covering a wide range of topics. Currently, they are looking for stories from people of all backgrounds who have had a cancer experience.

Please submit to needlemediacasting@gmail.com with the subject: SOULPANCAKE CANCER // Your Name.

Include a brief bio with your age, cultural background, and a summary of your Cancer story. How did your family/ community react? How did you feel before and after the experience? How do you reflect on that experience? Feel free to include any links to on-camera work or social media profiles.

Specifically looking for AYA and Youth Survivors.

*** This is a paid opportunity *** Submissions due by Friday, May 17th  (Please note: there is no budget for travel/accommodations).

Brand New Advocacy Program!

microphone with colorful backdrop

In a brand new, 90 minute, online workshop at Lacuna Loft, we’ll delve into how you can turn your young adult cancer story into advocacy. Advocacy comes in many different shapes and sizes so we’ll talk about what it might mean to you and how to go about shaping your own narrative into the change you want to see around you. The workshop will be interactive and equip you with the skills you need to turn your story into advocacy.

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

When: Tuesday, April 30th @ 5 pm PT / 7 pm CT / 8 pm ET.

How does it work? When you sign up for the workshop, you’ll get a confirmation from the system that you’ve been confirmed into the workshop. Then a few days before the workshop occurs, you’ll get an email from Lacuna Loft explaining how to join the video chat. ***You’ll need the link that we’ll provide you, a headset with a microphone, and a webcam.*** [ The webcam is very important. The workshop will be interactive so the other participants need to be able to see your face! ]

Cancer Care by Zip Code: Examining Geographic Health Disparities in the US

NY houses

ASCO Connection recently published an article talking about health disparities (“a term commonly used to describe differences in incidence, prevalence, mortality, and burden of cancer related to conditions among specific populations, including racial and ethnic minorities, sexual and gender minorities, older adults, and rural patients, among other groups”…that is a mouthful!) based on where someone lived who was diagnosed with cancer.  In the world of cancer survivorship, Lacuna Loft sees people from all over the country.  We have participants who are based in urban areas but for whom getting to a place for survivorship support is cumbersome all the way to people who live rurally and have no cancer center (or other known young adult cancer survivors) within a hundred miles.  This article isn’t based on young adults specifically, but it underlines the effect that geography has on outcomes…on whether people are surviving their cancer.

“Exciting new breakthroughs in cancer research are helping to make great strides in what is possible for patients with cancer. But they are not necessarily leading to equitable disease outcomes.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), while the overall age-adjusted incidence of cancer is lower in rural areas than urban areas, rural areas have higher cancer death rates. This difference in mortality is growing wider over time. In these instances, new cutting-edge therapies are not enough.”

The fact that this research is fairly recent, done within the last few years, also underlines how important it is for patients to speak up.  If a physician doesn’t ask you questions but you have something in your cancer treatment regime that is overly burdensome (traveling for treatments for instance), taking charge and using your patient voice to advocate for better care is a must.  This is true in the cancer treatment space as well as the cancer survivorship space.  Sometimes, a better solution isn’t possible…but we can always ask!

Read more of this very interesting article here.