Grief is Not Linear: The Nuances of Moving Through Loss
Nov 04, 2022 7:00 PM (ET)
Grief is all-encompassing. Balancing your mental health and the logistics of loss are daunting tasks. In this session, we’ll discuss ways to navigate the grief and the end of life processes. Through this dialogue, you will learn how to prioritize your self-care and understand the tasks ahead so that you can lean into the strength of your community.
Speakers
Gracelyn Bateman (she/her/hers)
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Gracelyn Bateman (she/her/hers)
Cancer Survivor, Co-Founder and CEO, Luna Peak Foundation
Gracelyn co-founded a 501(c)(3) in Los Angeles called Luna Peak Foundation which supports the cancer and grief communities. Under Luna Peak Publishing, she works alongside her aunt, Melody Lomboy-Lowe, to create workbooks and photography books of multicultural and authentic cancer and grief survivor stories. Her greatest passion is showing people they are not alone by elevating stories that they can relate to and use as a tool for their own healing. She is a photographer and author, and has documented over 200 survivor stories through her work at Luna Peak.
Gracelyn graduated with a B.S. in Sociology from Santa Clara University, and received a master's degree in Sociology from Columbia University. Gracelyn is also a grief and death doula and her services focus on legacy, life reviews, end of life planning, and grief support for clients and families.
She has authored photography books and workbooks for the cancer and grief communities including, “Beyond Remission: Words of Advice for Thriving,” “Beyond Grief: Snapshots of Life After Loss,” “The Grief Workbook,” and “Season’s Griefings.”
Melody Lomboy-Lowe (she/her/hers)
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Melody Lomboy-Lowe (she/her/hers)
Cancer Survivor, Co-Founder and Executive Director, Luna Peak Foundation
Melody was born and raised in Southern California in the small town of Sierra Madre. She was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia at age six and has been a cancer warrior ever since. She was given a 50% chance of survival and was treated at City of Hope for three years until age nine. Being a survivor at a time when not many survived set Melody on a course to help newly diagnosed cancer patients.
Melody is a graduate of UC Irvine, where she was awarded a scholarship as a collegiate swimmer. She graduated with a double major in sociology and art history. Motivated by her cancer experience, she and her niece, Gracelyn Bateman, co-founded the nonprofit, Luna Peak Foundation Inc.
She has authored photography books and workbooks for the cancer community including, “Beyond Remission: Words of Advice for Thriving,” “Follow Me, Cancer Free,” “Kicking Cancer: A Memory Book for Kids,” and “Color Me, Cancer Free.” Her grief photography and workbooks include, “Beyond Grief: Snapshots of Life After Loss,” “The Grief Workbook,” and “Season’s Griefings.”