Elephants and Tea - June 2020 - 1

LETTER FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Adapting due
to COVID-19
WELL, IT IS TRULY AMAZING, FOR BETTER OR WORSE,
HOW QUICKLY THINGS CAN CHANGE IN THREE MONTHS.

Back in March, our first issue of the year was printed and
distributed across the country and sent digitally across the
world. Now, due to the COVID-19 outbreak, we have been
advised by our partners and medical advisors to go only
digital for this issue. It hurts my soul to not to print, but
there is no alternative. We plan on resuming printing the
magazine for the September and December issues pending
the outcome of the COVID-19 outbreak.
Despite this setback, your response has been absolutely
breathtaking. We have received support from our writers,
readers and loved ones that our mission must continue
to help be the voice of the adolescent and young adult
(AYA) cancer community. So despite our June issue being
digital only, we knew we had to come up with new ways
to reach out and serve you.
We needed to keep finding unique ways to reach out
and share all the amazing resources available to you
from other AYA cancer organizations. And, we needed
to ensure that no one is alone in their fight with cancer.
And we are doing just that.
In just three months' time I have witnessed a bond in
the AYA cancer community like I have never seen before. Organizations quickly rallied together to work for
all those we serve - the patients, thrivers, and survivors
throughout the entire AYA Cancer network.
Zoom hangouts, happy hours, weekly digital walks,
mediation sessions, Netf lix parties, creative writing
sessions and in-person events all going digital. Check
out the COVID-19 resource page on our website that
highlights all the different digital activities in the AYA
cancer community. Seriously, the amazing people that

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are part of these organizations have accomplished so
much in just three months. It truly is impressive and we
thank you for all that you do!
We at Elephants and Tea have launched a weekly Happy
Hour group on Fridays at 5pm EDT to help bring people together during this crisis. I personally have been
touched by the awe-inspiring people I have met each
week. Cherished friendships have been created that will
last a lifetime.
My brother Steven and I have launched a new videocast
called "Spilling Tea with the G's". Once a week we get
someone within the AYA cancer community on a Zoom
call, record it and post it to YouTube. Check out our first
episode with Hernan Barangan, who is the director of
the documentary film "Cancer Rebellion."
We have partnered with organizations in launching
new digital programs. For example, we have teamed up
with Dear Jack Foundation and Lacuna Loft for a Mind,
Body and Soul Series, which ran every Thursday during
the month of May. The series included a new session
each week: creative writing, yoga and meditation, to help
patients, thrivers and survivors cope with stress during
this crisis.
It has been a busy three months, but it truly has been
incredible. We all have realized what is important in our
lives during this time.
In this issue we focused on survivors, thrivers and
dealing with COVID-19, since, let's be honest, that is
quite the elephant in the room.
Before I let you check out the issue, we at Elephants and
Tea and The Steven G. AYA Cancer Research Fund want
to give a big shout out to all of the doctors, nurses, nurse
practitioners, social workers and the rest of those on the
front lines during this time. Thank
you for all that you are doing for us
and our loved ones. l
➥ NICK GIALLOURAKIS, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
OF ELEPHANTS AND TEA

IF YOU WOULD YOU LIKE TO SUBMIT A STORY TO BE PUBLISHED IN
ELEPHANTS AND TEA, PLEASE CONTACT NICK@ELEPHANTSANDTEA.COM
ELEPHANTSANDTEA.COM
JUNE 2020

https://www.elephantsandtea.com/covid-19/ http://www.elephantsandtea.com

Elephants and Tea - June 2020

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Elephants and Tea - June 2020