LifeChronicles
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February 22, 2013
In 2003 my Mother died from Esophageal Cancer. That same year I was diagnosed, after surgery, with stage III Ovarian Cancer. As I moved though the years I became distraught over the fact that I could not remember my Mothers beautiful voice and have been kicking myself ever since for not recording it. And now in 2013 as I am preparing for my transition from life to death as a result of my cancer I most definitely wanted to leave a recorded voice message for my husband, David. So I brought the subject up with one of my Assisted Hospice caregivers and she pointed me to Life Chronicles and Kate Carter. I contacted Kate though their website and within a day or two I heard back from her. We set up an appt for a taping the very next week.
She said not to script or even think about what I was going to say and she answered a few other questions I had over the phone. There is something about Kate's voice that is encouraging and clear.
I had originally intended for my voice recording to be about 5 or 6 minutes. Though the encouragement I received from Kate during the taping we had about 1/2 hour when we were done. I was amazed at how quickly and easily all of their equipment was set up, left no doubt in my mind that the finished product will be truly amazing. Can't wait to see it.
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How would you describe the help you got from this organization?
Life-changing
How likely are you to recommend this organization to a friend?
Definitely
How do you feel you were treated by this organization?
Very Well
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2013
December 20, 2012
Kate and her colleagues recently completed a project with a young female patient of mine battling metastatic breast cancer. This brave young woman was preparing to leave behind three young children and an adoring husband and clearly expressed a dying wish to leave behind a message of love and comfort to get them through the days ahead. Kate and her team were the whole package; compassionate, flexible and experienced with working with families at this challenging time. I truly cannot imagine a smoother experience; it was a pleasure to work with the Life Chronicles team to make this patient's wish come true. The gratitude the family has for this important work is beyond words, as this lovely young woman passed away only a few hours after working with the team. The peace that this experience gave to her is a gift beyond measure, and I look forward to working the team again in the near future!
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How does this organization compare with others in the same sector?
Very Well
How much of an impact do you think this organization has?
Life-changing
Will you recommend this organization to others?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
December 5, 2012
In 2009, I was diagnosed with metastatic GIST, which is a rare variety of cancer; there are currently two basic meds used to control it. After 3 years of treatment, the medications lost their efficacy and I was told I had somewhere between two and six months to live. The oncological social worker I see told me about Kate and LifeChronicles. I contacted her and last week she and another volunteer came to my apartment and very efficiently set up their cameras, gave me some idea of how the interview would work and we were off and running. We taped for about two hours, starting at the beginning and moving up to the present. It would be hard for me to overstate the catharsis this provided me....memories came back that I realized, once I was dead, would die with me. This video gave me an opportunity to leave my story for friends and family, including generations not yet born. Even if I hadn't led a farily interesting life, my story and those of thousands of others will be recorded and available for future generations. Kate was entirely professional, had the right questions, and helped guide the story. Please give them a call and if you can donate to this fine non-profit. (Though they will record your story without a donation). It was, all in all, an excellent experience and one I would encourage others to get involved in.
More feedback...
How would you describe the help you got from this organization?
Life-changing
How likely are you to recommend this organization to a friend?
Definitely
How do you feel you were treated by this organization?
Very Well
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
1 person found this review helpful
November 23, 2012
1 person found this review helpful
My husband John was diagnosed with esophageal cancer at the age of 42. His chances then were 1 in 10 of surviving this type of cancer. He had never been a smoker, was healthy and had no history of digestive problems. We tried everything we could, even traveling to NYC to get second opinions. John fought this terrible disease with dignity, humor and bravery. He lost his own mother to cancer when he was 7 and knew the emotions our young daughters would go through eventually. After chemo, radiation and surgery, nine months later, we received the wonderful news that John was in remission! It was wonderful that we could put this behind us and move on to the life we knew we would have together. After a wonderful family reunion trip to Disneyland, seven months after he was given a clean bill of health, a scan gave us the awful news that the cancer had returned and had spread. At that point, he was given one year to live. We decided to take our girls on trips all over the country to vacation how we would have, had we been able to raise our kids together. We crammed a lifetime into the time we had left. During this time, John was writing letters to me and the girls, teaching them how to ride bikes or how to cook. Things that he wanted them to know before he left this world. The last week of my husband's life, Dr. Tom Mouser from HCI came to our home to see John. He was so compassionate to John, speaking to him softly and kindly and holding his hand. It was so comforting to my family. He mentioned Life Chronicles. He explained that they would come in, interview him, the girls with him, and our family and we could say anything we wanted. It was a chance to have John say what he wanted and have it recorded forever. The last day John was in our home, Kate Carter came into our lives as a stranger, and left as a person I considered a personal friend. She gently explained what we could do, how anything recorded would be precious to all of us. She set up her video camera and began to interview John and then John with just me. It was such a beautiful moment to say things to my husband and him to say things to me, knowing it would be ingrained in my heart forever. Our girls then came and sat on the bed with our dog. Our girls were 7 and 10 at the time. I remember him telling the girls how much he loved them, how proud he was of them and how his cancer was NOT their fault. It just happened and it could not be controlled. We hugged, laughed, talked about our wonderful family trips together and how we would be together again someday. John left our home an hour after the interview to move into a hospice facility. He passed away three days later. I was always concerned my girls would forget his mannerisms and his voice. We have that on video now. His voice telling them that he loves them is something they will have for the rest of their lives. That is priceless and Life Chronicles made that happen. I didn't have to do anything. Dr. Mouser set it up, Kate flew to our city and came to our home. It was all handled with compassion and respect. It is something my girls and I will always be grateful for.
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How would you describe the help you got from this organization?
Life-changing
How likely are you to recommend this organization to a friend?
Definitely
How do you feel you were treated by this organization?
Very Well
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2011
November 14, 2012
> Dear Kate and friends,
> I just wanted yo all to know how much your organizational has meant to all of us. Unbelievably, it has only been 6 months since Tammy's passing, and now the holidays are upon us. Each day continues to be a struggle knowing she will never be with us again and honoring her memory through her young children, AJ and Jacob. Steve, her husband, feels this as well, while continuing on without his soulmate and partner in life's journey. I have purchased two small trunks, one for each child, to preserve momentoes of their mother. Added to this, will be the video your organization created. I just wanted you all to know what Life Chronicles has meant to us. You have given us a medium to preserve Tammy, her voice, her love, her soul, for her children and all of us left behind. The days ahead will be difficult, but knowing we have a piece of her, with her wishes and love for her children preserved, will make their journey in life a bit easier. Her dying wish to Steve was that her children never forget her. We have all made a vow that AJ and Jacob will never forget their Mommy....If any family would ever like to speak to me about the I importance of a legacy, feel free to contact me. Tammy was so weak and fragile, we didn't know how this could be done. Kate, you told me how amazing this process is, that she would muster the energy to complete the taping. You were right, she did, and with so much grace, poise and dignity. And for this, we are eternally grateful. I say this for any family wavering: should we do this, should we even ask the loved one or family to follow through and do a taping? I, too, was wavering and afraid to ask. But Tammy, knowing what would be, made the decision for us. She was and still is an inspiration to us all...
> Once again, thank you. I cannot say it enough...
> Most Sincerely,
> Vicki McDowell
>
More feedback...
How would you describe the help you got from this organization?
Life-changing
How likely are you to recommend this organization to a friend?
Definitely
How do you feel you were treated by this organization?
Very Well
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
1 person found this review helpful
October 29, 2012
1 person found this review helpful
My husband died suddenly at 42, leaving me after only a few years of marriage, with a 2 yr old and an infant. We didn't have time to make a lot of memories together, let alone capture them on tape. Life Chronicles helped me and my family to organize our thoughts, memories, and the few videos I did have, turning them into a useful, tactile, available object, at a time when I didn't have much to hold onto psychologically. It was HARD work to make that film about my husband, but it is such a treasure to have now. Admittedly, It's a hard video to watch still, but it's there when we need a "daddy" fix. My kids, now in middle school, really can't remember their father, so the images and thoughts captured in that video are priceless. The film crew and project manager were wonderful to work with throughout; sensitive, and professional.
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How would you describe the help you got from this organization?
A lot
How likely are you to recommend this organization to a friend?
Definitely
How do you feel you were treated by this organization?
Very Well
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2002
September 21, 2012
My wife had received the recommendation for LifeChronicles from a friend and set up a date for a video. Kate and her team were great. Comfortable and very flexible to work with (we have three young kids). My wife very much wanted to capture her thoughts and feelings of herself for the kids for when they were older, and also of the two of us, since they may not remember us together. The day of filming seemed to go well and we have been very pleased with Kate's work so far.
More feedback...
How would you describe the help you got from this organization?
Life-changing
How likely are you to recommend this organization to a friend?
Definitely
How do you feel you were treated by this organization?
Very Well
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
September 19, 2012
A lifelong friend contacted Life Chronicles on my behalf shortly after I was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. As the mother of three young boys, two of whom are so young they are unlikely to remember me, I was searching for ways for them to know a little about me. We considered a home video, but I couldn't figure out the best content and quality was an issue. My friend gave me Kate's information and I contacted her. Within 48 hours we scheduled a date for Kate, and some members of her team, to travel to our home and help me create a video for my children and family. The filming was very easy to be a part of, and in our conversations before she arrived, Kate assured me that answering the questions spontaneously would produce a wonderful result. I cannot say enough good things about Life Chronicles - they were terrific during the planning stages, the filming day, and after as well. I have not yet had the final version of my video made, but I have no doubt that will also be another positive experience.
More feedback...
How would you describe the help you got from this organization?
A lot
How likely are you to recommend this organization to a friend?
Definitely
How do you feel you were treated by this organization?
Very Well
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
June 30, 2012
Kate Carter and all her incredible support staff are angels on earth! Kate gave me & my family the most priceless, special gift ever...a video of my dad. My dad was a member of an adult day care center which Life Chronicles had been visiting. They were interviewing and taping several of the members and happen to capture several days worth of my dad. My dad was suffering from Parkinson's Decease so his mobility was limited. He passed away months after the taping and interviews. A few days after his passing, I received a call from Kate, who I had never met but after our phone conversation, I felt as though I had known her my entire life. She was kind, caring, loving and so empathetic and told me how much she had taken to my dad. We made plans to meet and we became friends immediately. Kate has a heart the size of this planet. The Father's Day following the passing of my dad, Kate presented me with the video Life Chronicles had taken of my dad. What a gift. They captured priceless footage that I will have forever and be able to pass down to my son. I will never forget all the incredible loving volunteers that made this all possible for me and my family. Kate and LC hold a very special spot in my heart...and always will. We love you K8t!!
More feedback...
How would you describe the help you got from this organization?
Life-changing
How likely are you to recommend this organization to a friend?
Definitely
How do you feel you were treated by this organization?
Very Well
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010
May 14, 2012
My name is Daniel; and I volunteered for life chronicles in March 2012, and it was an event I will always remember. I have been in media production for about seven years now, but I have never work on a project like this. Life Chronicles is a great program that gives families lasting memories. I was deeply moved while I shot and listened to the family's recount of their lives. This was a life changing event for me, and I would volunteer again.
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Would you volunteer for this group again?
Definitely
For the time you spent, how much of an impact did you feel your work or activity had?
Life-changing
Did the organization use your time wisely?
Very Well
Would you recommend this group to a friend?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
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