Speaker Series Talk: Creating A Realistic Academic Plan

college graduates throwing hats

Our 7th Speaker Series Talk is now live!  Watch Michele Rosenthal talk about Creating A Realistic Academic Plan after Young Adult Cancer.  She is a higher education administrator with significant experience in higher education, serves as a volunteer College and Cancer Coach, and supports many Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) Cancer programs.  Michele has also very generously offered her volunteer time to you so if you have a question after watching the talk please feel free to get in touch with her at michelerosenthal@verizon.net.

More about her talk: A cancer diagnosis can come as a surprise at any time but I believe that this is especially true during a life milestone like college. It is absolutely possible to navigate the higher education landscape while in treatment and recovery.

Psst…want to submit a topic for a future Speaker Series?  You can do so here!

Creating A Realistic Academic Plan: Speaker Series Program Announcement!

college graduates throwing hats

Starting today you can submit your questions for our next speaker series talk on Creating A Realistic Academic Plan After Young Adult Cancer!  Our 7th Speaker Series Talk will launch on Wednesday, June 26th!  Starting on that day, you’ll be able to watch Michele Rosenthal talk about Creating A Realistic Academic Plan after Young Adult Cancer.  She is a higher education administrator with significant experience in higher education, serves as a volunteer College and Cancer Coach, and supports many Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) Cancer programs.  While the talk won’t be live, we’d love for you to submit your questions!  After reading a little abstract on the talk, fill out the short form at the bottom of this post with all of your questions!  Submit as many as you want and Michele will do her best to answer them at the end of her talk!

A cancer diagnosis can come as a surprise at any time but I believe that this is especially true during a life milestone like college. It is absolutely possible to navigate the higher education landscape while in treatment and recovery. Feel free to pose questions so that I can help to connect you with the right accommodations and resources.

Psst…want to submit a topic for a future Speaker Series?  You can do so here!

Speaker Series Talk: Everything you wanted to know about sex and relationships after cancer

sex after cancer

A few months ago we launched our newest program here at Lacuna Loft, the Speaker Series!  Our 6th Speaker Series Talk is now live!  You can now watch Dr. Anne Katz talk about Everything you wanted to know about sex and relationships after cancer.

Dr. Katz is an expert in the field of sexual health and wellness after cancer and further specializes in young adults.  Her talk is a must see.  Plus, if you want to submit your own question about sex and relationships after young adult cancer, you can do so anonymously in our Awkward Auntie program.

In this open and honest conversation about sex and relationships, Dr. Anne Katz will share the advice she has given to many YAs during and after treatment for cancer. While YAs usually find their way with dating and new or altered relationships, they often need some support and guidance, or merely an open ear and heart to help them through a challenging time. In this event for Lacuna Loft, Dr Katz will talk about disclosing your cancer history to a new potential partner, how to deal with scars and missing body parts and anything else that YOU need to be answered.

Psst…want to submit a topic for a future Speaker Series?  You can do so here!

Everything You Wanted To Know About Sex And Relationships After Cancer

sex after cancer

Everything you wanted to know about sex and relationships after cancer – Speaker Series!  Join our very own, Awkward Auntie, Dr. Anne Katz for a Speaker Series talk!  Submit questions today!!!

In this open and honest conversation about sex and relationships, Dr. Anne Katz will share the advice she has given to many young adult (YA) cancer survivors during and after treatment for cancer. While YAs usually find their way with dating and new or altered relationships, they often need some support and guidance, or merely an open ear and heart to help them through a challenging time. In this event for Lacuna Loft, Dr. Katz will talk about disclosing your cancer history to a new potential partner, how to deal with scars and missing body parts, and anything else that YOU need to be answered.

While this talk will not be live, you have the opportunity to submit questions!  Then, the recorded talk, featuring our very own Awkward Auntie, Dr. Anne Katz, will go live on Thursday, May 10!

Psst…want to submit a topic for a future Speaker Series?  You can do so here!

Speaker Series Talk: Cancer In The Workplace Research – Robyn

cancer in the workplace

A few months ago we launched our newest program here at Lacuna Loft, the Speaker Series!  Our 5th Speaker Series Talk is now live!  You can now watch Robyn talk about her Cancer in the Workplace Research.

Robyn was a delight to talk to.  She says, “I became interested in research, especially when I heard that 33% of working age cancer survivors were exiting the workforce within 5 years of their diagnosis.”  Learn more in her video!

After my diagnosis with breast cancer, I was startled to hear that although 90% of working aged cancer survivors return to work, 33% of working aged cancer exit the workforce within 5 years of their diagnosis. I spent time reflecting on my experience and my personal decision to leave my current employer and embark upon a new career and wanted to find out more. I found in my personal experience that there was an expectation that after my last day of radiation I would be back to 100% which was not the case. I also found that, after putting up the biggest fight of my life, the garbage in my workplace was illuminated and I wasn’t willing to be a part of it any longer.

As a part of my transition, I found myself going from HR Professional to HR Instructor and now have the opportunity to research why working aged cancer survivors are leaving the workforce and also capture those who are still in the workforce but in different positions. I am uncovering why people are leaving or changing jobs (often to their detriment) and what employers can do to keep employees impacted by cancer in the workforce. My ultimate goal is to help employers understand the challenges cancer patients face and that recovery is not instantaneous and make the experiences of others who are transitioning back to work a little brighter.

Psst…want to submit a topic for a future Speaker Series?  You can do so here!

Speaker Series Talk: Lacuna Loft’s Origin Story – Mallory

lacuna loft origin story

Our 4th Speaker Series talk is live!  Check out Mallory’s talk on Lacuna Loft’s Origin Story in the video below!

It was really fun for me to tell Lacuna Loft’s origin story.  Lacuna Loft’s beginning and my own cancer story are very intertwined (as you may have guessed since I founded the organization) and while I’ve shared snippets before in other ways on Lacuna Loft, it was nice to put it all together in a short(ish) video.

Just recently, someone sent me an email with the question, “How can I do what you do?” and it got me thinking. What is Lacuna Loft? What do we do? Where did we start? And, how did we get there? I’m asked questions all the time about starting a nonprofit, what being a woman CEO is like, where Lacuna Loft’s name comes from, and more. Well! We’re talking about all of that and more during this speaker series talk!

Psst…want to submit a topic for a future Speaker Series?  You can do so here!

Cancer In The Workplace Research: Speaker Series Program Announcement!

cancer in the workplace

A few months ago we launched our newest program here at Lacuna Loft, the Speaker Series!  Our 5th Speaker Series Talk will launch on Wednesday, December 20th!  Starting on that day, you’ll be able to watch Robyn talk about her Cancer in the Workplace Research.  While the talk won’t be live, we’d love for you to submit your questions!  After reading a little abstract on the talk, fill out the short form at the bottom of this post with all of your questions!  Submit as many as you want and Robyn will do her best to answer them at the end of her talk!

After my diagnosis with breast cancer, I was startled to hear that although 90% of working aged cancer survivors return to work, 33% of working aged cancer exit the workforce within 5 years of their diagnosis. I spent time reflecting on my experience and my personal decision to leave my current employer and embark upon a new career and wanted to find out more. I found in my personal experience that there was an expectation that after my last day of radiation I would be back to 100% which was not the case. I also found that, after putting up the biggest fight of my life, the garbage in my workplace was illuminated and I wasn’t willing to be a part of it any longer.

As a part of my transition, I found myself going from HR Professional to HR Instructor and now have the opportunity to research why working aged cancer survivors are leaving the workforce and also capture those who are still in the workforce but in different positions. I am uncovering why people are leaving or changing jobs (often to their detriment) and what employers can do to keep employees impacted by cancer in the workforce. My ultimate goal is to help employers understand the challenges cancer patients face and that recovery is not instantaneous and make the experiences of others who are transitioning back to work a little brighter.

Psst…want to submit a topic for a future Speaker Series?  You can do so here!

Lacuna Loft’s Origin Story: Speaker Series Program Announcement!

lacuna loft origin story

A few months ago we launched our newest program here at Lacuna Loft, the Speaker Series!  Our fourth Speaker Series Talk will launch on Tuesday, November 14th!  Starting on that day, you’ll be able to watch Mallory talk about Lacuna Loft’s Origin Story.  While the talk won’t be live, we’d love for you to submit your questions!  After reading a little abstract on the talk, fill out the short form at the bottom of this post with all of your questions!  Submit as many as you want and Mallory will do her best to answer them at the end of her talk!

Just recently, someone sent me an email with the question, “How can I do what you do?” and it got me thinking.  What is Lacuna Loft?  What do we do?  Where did we start?  And, how did we get there?  I’m asked questions all the time about starting a nonprofit, what being a woman CEO is like, where Lacuna Loft’s name comes from, and more.  Well!  We’re talking about all of that and more during this upcoming speaker series talk!

Psst…want to submit a topic for a future Speaker Series?  You can do so here!

Speaker Series Talk: The Sum of Survival – Jenn

surviving young adult cancer

Our 3rd Speaker Series talk is live!  Check out Jenn’s talk on The Sum of Survival in the video below!

Chatting with Jenn was a real treat.  A few minutes after we stopped recording the talk she said, “I survived up until now and if that changes tomorrow, I’ll deal.”  Such an insightful remark from someone who has been through so much.

What does it mean to survive? To me it’s living life to the fullest while you’re here on this planet. Some people feel like the term survivor doesn’t apply once their cancer came back – I disagree. Every day you get up – no matter how hard – you survive. It’s another day to make memories, say I love you or sleep in. Being a survivor carries a HUGE burden. Once you’ve gone through cancer people think you should be farting rainbows. Wrong! We have good days and bad just like anyone else … and snarled traffic, a bad hair day, and rude people still set us off. I do feel uncomfortable saying the term survivor sometimes because of all these misconceptions, I’m no superhero, I’m no braver than anyone else in my situation – the simple truth of the matter is that I’ve survived all that life has thrown at me so far … and that’s good enough.

Psst…want to submit a topic for a future Speaker Series?  You can do so here!

The Sum of Survival: Speaker Series Program Announcement!

surviving young adult cancer

A few months ago we launched our newest program here at Lacuna Loft, the Speaker Series!  Our third Speaker Series Talk will launch on Wednesday, October 4th!  Starting on that day, you’ll be able to watch Jenn talk about The Sum of Survival.  While the talk won’t be live, we’d love for you to submit your questions!  After reading a little abstract on the talk, fill out the short form at the bottom of this post with all of your questions!  Submit as many as you want and Jenn will do her best to answer them at the end of her talk!

What does it mean to survive? To me it’s living life to the fullest while you’re here on this planet. Some people feel like the term survivor doesn’t apply once their cancer came back – I disagree. Every day you get up – no matter how hard – you survive. It’s another day to make memories, say I love you or sleep in. Being a survivor carries a HUGE burden. Once you’ve gone through cancer people think you should be farting rainbows. Wrong! We have good days and bad just like anyone else … and snarled traffic, a bad hair day, and rude people still set us off. I do feel uncomfortable saying the term survivor sometimes because of all these misconceptions, I’m no superhero, I’m no braver than anyone else in my situation – the simple truth of the matter is that I’ve survived all that life has thrown at me so far … and that’s good enough.

Psst…want to submit a topic for a future Speaker Series?  You can do so here!