Last YAC Hangout Of The Year!

welcome sign

Come join the last Young Adult Cancer (YAC) Hangout of the year!  Before 2019 comes to a close, join together online with other young adult cancer patients, survivors, and caregivers for an informal meet up via video chat.

Monday, December 23rd from 5:30-7 pm PT / 7:30-9 pm CT / 8:30-10 pm ET!

When you sign up to receive notifications about this program, we will send you a link via email to join the video chat a few days ahead of time. You’ll need internet (or data on your phone if you’re out and about) and a webcam, and that’s it! (A webcam can be the one built-in to your computer, smartphone, and/or tablet. Don’t have one built-in? They are super cheap to buy, then all that’s left is to plug it into a USB slot in your computer!)

Interested in joining? Sign up here!  (Just fill out the form and make sure to choose YAC Hangout under the ‘Programs you’re interested in’ section!) If you’ve already filled out this form and selected YAC Hangouts, we’ll automatically send you a zoom link!

Join An Online Vision Board Creative Art Workshop

messy desk

Update:  The creative art workshop is now full!  Please fill out the form below to be notified the next time a workshop is forming!

Kick off 2020 by creating your own Vision Board alongside 22 other young adult cancer patients, survivors, and caregivers.  We’ll send you what you need in the mail.  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 6, 2020, you’ll learn about vision boards and begin to create your own vision board.  On January 13, 2020,  you’ll have the opportunity to share your vision for the year ahead with other young adult cancer patients, survivors, and caregivers. Please note when you sign up, you are committing to both sessions!  Come together with other young adults facing cancer and #LetsMakeStuff!

Who: 23 young adult cancer patients, survivors, and caregivers.

When: January 6th and January 13th @ 4-6 pm PT / 6-8 pm CT / 7-9 pm ET via video chat.

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.***

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!)

Create A Holiday Gnome With Other Patients And Survivors

Join Lacuna Loft for our next Creative Art Workshop making Holiday Gnomes and #LetsMakeStuff together!  Craft and meet others while creating a cutesy little holiday gnome all while hanging out with other young adult cancer patients, survivors, and caregivers. We’ll send you what you need!

Who: 16 young adult cancer patients, survivors, and caregivers.

When: Wednesday, December 11th @ 5:30- 7:30 pm PT / 7:30-9:30 pm CT / 8:30-10:30 pm ET via video chat.

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.***

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!)

Join A 3-Part Holiday Journaling Workshop

holiday banner

Lacuna Loft is excited to bring back this special holiday program!

It’s a Wonderful Life: Taking Care during the Holidays.  A 3-part online journaling workshop for young adult cancer patients and survivors.

“It’s beginning to look a lot like” an even busier time of year! The holiday season brings nostalgia (like a favorite song), connection to family and friends and an undercurrent of expectation. There can be an added layer of managing expectations to be positive and happy – even in the middle of treatment or when everyone appears to look “fine” when, inside, they are not.

Finding peace between the wrapping paper and the stuffing is within reach! Join us for a 3 part holiday journal writing workshop to design a plan for low stress, create or reconnect with meaningful traditions, and decorate your soul with a little TLC.

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

Who: Young adult cancer patients and survivors.

When: The writing group meets on Sundays at 2 pm PT / 4 pm CT / 5 pm ET for 2 hours each week, for 3 parts, meeting on December 1st, 8th, and 15th.  A commitment to attend every date is important to group continuity and in creating a safe space. Please be on time

The workshop is led by Jean Rowe LCSW, OSW-C.  She is a Certified Journal Therapist who has been in the field of oncology for 15 years and has crafted many journal writing programs for cancer survivors.

Sign Up For The Bead Coasters Workshop

Join Lacuna Loft for our next Creative Art Workshop: Bead Coasters and #LetsMakeStuff together! Find your zen while crafting a bead coaster in this meditative (in technique) craft! Make a beautiful coaster all while hanging out with other young adult cancer patients, survivors, and caregivers. We’ll send you what you need! Mary Clare will teach and lead you through the method!

Who: 16 young adult cancer patients, survivors, and caregivers.

When: Monday, November 18th @ 4:30- 6:30 pm PT / 6:30-8:30 pm CT / 7:30-9:30 pm ET via video chat.

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.***

 

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!)

A Letter To Someone Who Believed In You

Lacuna Loft’s Journaling program sends a journal prompt directly to your inbox.  Participants are encouraged to write for a specific amount of time (usually between 7-12 minutes) and are always invited to submit their writing for publication here.  This piece was written by Ashlinn in response to the prompt: Write a letter to someone who believed in you, even when you didn’t believe in yourself. Read the letter out loud to yourself when you’re done. How can you be kinder to your future self in a similar fashion?

My dearest nana,

You have welcomed me into your home and into your life during some of my most fragile moments. You have never, ever once shut the door on me, or put me down in ways where I could no longer get the strength to come back up. You have always believed in me and invested so much love and care into our relationship. I am so blessed to have a female role model like you after surviving the tragedy of losing my mother, and staring death in the face for the second time. You are a rival of the angels, for not even the most blessed have a heart as pure as yours. You have a servant’s soul and your will to do good exceeds that of anyone I have ever encountered. You are a guide to me and many and I consider myself lucky to call you my nana. I love you so much for your constant care and attention. For picking me up when I am down and reminding me consistently of all there is to be grateful for. You are a legend in the legacy you lead and how you show kindness and compassion to others. You are truly a shining example of what good is, and what good can be. You are my hero for so many reasons. And I wish to share this precious time we have together making happy memories. As much as you help me through the difficult, it is the fun in you I wish to live on inside me as your granddaughter.

I love you infinitely,

Ashlinn

How would you have responded to this same prompt?  Can you connect with how Ashlinn responded?  If you’d like to sign up for this program, please go here.

2 Week Countdown Until We Masquerade In Chicago

chicago skyline

The Masquerade on the Moon Gala is only 2 weeks away!  This event, happening only once a year, is not to be missed.  We’ll have a fabulous young adult cancer survivor as our emcee for the evening (more on him in the next few weeks!), there will be a spectacular array of items for sale in our silent auction, a great variety of Lacuna Loft merch to grab, and more.

If you’re not able to join us in person, we have some great limited-edition event tees you can purchase and a chance to donate directly to Lacuna Loft.  (Plus, snag last year’s extra tees in limited numbers at a very reduced price!)

Where: 1821 W. Hubbard Street Suite 307 Chicago, IL 60622

When: Saturday, November 2, 2019 from 6-9 pm

Who: You!

Attire: Semi-Formal

We can’t wait to see you in Chicago!

Interested in sponsoring a part of the evening? Please contact mallory@lacunaloft.org for more information!

Come Hangout Online With Other YAs Facing Cancer

friends around computer

Hey there! Looking for a chance to hang out with other young adult cancer patients, survivors, and caregivers? Want to do that without leaving your house? Have no fear, Lacuna Loft has the hookup!

Monday, October 21st from 5:30-7 pm PT / 7:30-9 pm CT / 8:30-10 pm ET, Lacuna Loft will host one of our YAC (Young Adult Cancer) Hangouts! They are online, via video chat, and super informal.

When you sign up to receive notifications about this program, we will send you a link via email to join the video chat a few days ahead of time. You’ll need internet (or data on your phone if you’re out and about) and a webcam, and that’s it! (A webcam can be the one built-in to your computer, smartphone, and/or tablet. Don’t have one built-in? They are super cheap to buy, then all that’s left is to plug it into a USB slot in your computer!)

Interested in joining? Sign up here!  (Just fill out the form and make sure to choose YAC Hangout under the ‘Programs you’re interested in’ section!) If you’ve already filled out this form and selected YAC Hangouts, we’ll automatically send you a zoom link!

Young Adult Cancer Game Night

game pieces

Do you like games? Are you a young adult cancer patient, survivor, or caregiver?

Join us for a Young Adult Cancer Game Night!  It’s super easy to join and you can be comfortable and at home when you do!  The group meets via video chat and plays various games offered by Jackbox.  You won’t need any specific equipment (except for a computer/tablet and a smartphone) nor will you need to purchase anything.  Our Game Night volunteer will run the game and explain how everything works!

The next Game Night is on Saturday, October 12th, 4-5:30 pm PT / 6-7:30 pm CT / 7-8:30 pm ET!  Game Night occurs via video chat, allowing a bunch of young adult cancer patients, survivors, and caregivers to join wherever they are.

You’ll need an internet or data connection, headphones with a microphone, a webcam (either an external one or the one built into your phone, tablet, or computer!), and your smartphone. Easy peasy! Please note: this program is a little different in that you’ll need both a computer/tablet (where you’ll want to use your webcam) and a smartphone/tablet.

Interested in joining? Sign up here!  (Just fill out the form and make sure to choose Game Nights under the ‘Programs you’re interested in’ section!)  (If you’re already done this, you’ll be emailed automatically with the zoom link you’ll need to join!)

Join A Meditation Workshop

sky with flowers

Join Micah Walsh, Help with Hope’s Director of Wellness in practicing mindfulness meditation moments in our online Meditation Workshop for young adult cancer patients, survivors, and caregivers!  The meditation group meets monthly on the first Wednesday of every month.  October’s meditation evening is Wednesday, October 2nd at 6 pm PT / 8 pm CT / 9 pm ET and will last for one hour via video chat.  RSVP below and we’ll send you the link to join the video chat!

Meditation and mindfulness have been proven to contribute to the overall well-being of the body, mind, and spirit.  When combining the two, mindfulness meditation allows us to access the inner calm of our minds and activates our innate ability to heal physically, emotionally, and psychologically.  Last month’s group had a great time and I expect nothing less from this our October evening together.

Sign up here!