Who We Are

It started with family. We are Melody Lomboy-Lowe and Gracelyn Bateman, an aunt and niece team who grew up in a tight-knit multicultural family. In 2018, we decided to create a book that Melody always wanted to write after surviving cancer as a child: Beyond Remission: Words of Advice for Thriving. This book features more than 100 cancer survivor portraits and stories, and shows the cancer community that they are not alone in navigating a challenging cancer diagnosis. Upon publication, we pledged to donate over 100 books to oncology offices, hospitals, and individual cancer fighters through Luna Peak Foundation. To date, Luna Peak has donated over one thousand books to the cancer and grief communities.

An immense amount of healing occurred among the survivor participants sharing their story in this book as we aimed to humanize the topic of cancer with their powerful images and words. We quickly learned that there is a special energy around gathering survivors together; we allowed survivors the space to share their story and to also use their story to pay it forward to others just beginning their cancer journey. We knew we had to continue to produce books that give a voice to survivors, and to provide a tangible book of community and hope for those facing challenging times. After Beyond Remission was published, we decided to open our own publishing division. Through Luna Peak Publishing, we continue our work in highlighting survivor stories and open the door to partner with phenomenal authors with inspiring stories to share.

Our mission is to enhance others’ lives through authentic storytelling. Our books celebrate life through adversity. With every endeavor we embark on, it is our intention to elevate diverse voices and create space for untold stories. Our authors continue our mission of providing a tangible source of support to help others walking a similar path. Luna Peak books have a special way of giving back, and we partner with authors with the same passion for building community and helping others through the stories they share.

Melody Lomboy-Lowe

Melody was born and raised in Southern California. 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. 

At a young age she spoke nationally for various cancer charities, helping to raise money for cancer research. Melody has continued her philanthropic endeavors into adulthood and has volunteered as a counselor for camps for children with cancer and continues to raise money for various cancer organizations. 

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 to live a full life, Melody stays very active in her community as a volunteer for many non-profits, practices yoga, continues to swim and most importantly, focuses on her family.

Gracelyn Bateman

Gracelyn is passionate about understanding the life experiences of others. Her role at Luna Peak combines her educational background in Sociology with an opportunity to engage with people who have overcome obstacles in their lives. Gracelyn graduated with a B.S. in Sociology from Santa Clara University, and she received a master's degree in Sociology from Columbia University. She spent five years working in digital marketing and media in New York City.  

Since returning to Los Angeles, Gracelyn has focused on creating meaningful projects for Luna Peak. After losing her father at age 26, it’s been a priority for her to expand research and uplift survivor stories within the grief community to help survivors and create a bigger conversation around how society deals with loss and supporting people through it. In her spare time, Gracelyn enjoys photography, hiking, dance, volunteering and playing ukulele with her grandfather.