Stories

Gracelyn Bateman graduated from SCU in 2012 with a major in sociology and minors in history and women’s & gender studies. 

"I went on to earn an M.A. in sociology from Columbia University. After working in digital media analytics in NYC for 5 years, I created a new job for myself. I teamed up with my aunt (a childhood cancer survivor) to photograph cancer survivors and interview them about what advice they would give to a newly diagnosed cancer patient. This project shows the diversity in what remission looks like and gives hope to fighters. We created a book from this project called Beyond Remission, which will be published in June. Similarly, inspired by the loss of my father, we started another project that highlights grief survivor stories called “Snapshots of Life After Loss” that includes video interviews and photographs of their meaningful mementos. Each of these projects aims to humanize cancer and grief, subjects that are typically taboo in society. We recently have become a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization called Luna Peak Foundation. Our mission is to uplift survivor stories and create books and host retreats for cancer and grief communities.

I am thankful for my experience in the SCU Sociology Department which allowed for advanced research opportunities and close connections with faculty. What I learned in sociology definitely helped me in my first career in digital media analytics with telling stories with numbers and has greatly shaped my current role. I often think about what I learned in my sociology research courses which helps me create research parameters and interpret data. I am thankful to now create meaningful projects that inform how society handles cancer and grief."