Legacy Project

Advocacy, General 3 Minutes

What does it mean to leave a legacy? How does this change with a diagnosis of Stage IV Metastatic Breast Cancer (MBC)?  

I’ve been pondering these questions for most of the last three (3) years I’ve been living with Stage IV MBC and I don’t know that I have THE answers; at the same time, I have a few more answers than I did when I was diagnosed.  My go-to is writing since that’s a comfort level of mine and it helps me process my feelings now, but I know that to leave a full and robust legacy for my young children, that my voice, my face, who I am is more than just what I write down.

A few years ago, I completed a legacy video through Thru My Eyes, a non-profit physically located in NY.  It was a good experience overall, with a mental health professional asking questions and the flexibility of doing the video remotely.  The video I have is something that my husband can share with my children after I’m gone.  The video is me answering a variety of questions about who I am, what I’ve done with my life, and my family history/legacy.

Now that I’m further into my experience with cancer, I’ve been looking for some other things to do, not just for me, but also to capture the lives of those in the MBC community who have left us too soon.  Grief has been such a huge part of the MBC experience for me and I know that grief can be difficult in so many ways for so many, especially since those of us in MBC community are often cut off from the familiar grief rituals, resulting in disenfranchised grief.

So, to address this need, I have partnered with a dear friend of my family, Rob Lamp, to bring the possibility of creating legacy videos at a reduced cost to the Stage IV MBC community.  I’ve included the information below–Rob used some of the video and my pictures to demonstrate a portion of what he can do and his YouTube channel has a lot of options to view.  Check it out!

WONDERFUL LIFE VIDEO will interview you and/or family members online, from the comforts of your home plus edit your photos, home movies and your favorite music into a mini-documentary Legacy Video to share online. WATCH LEGACY VIDEOS
Complete Storyteller Package
Filming: Up to 8 hours of online interviewing up to 4 people capturing their memories and perspective of their loved one.  
Editing: Includes up to 100 animated family photo and family video professionally edited with titles and their favorite songs. Approximate length 30-45 minutes.
Cost: $1200 (Reg. $1800)*
WATCH BENGFORT FAMILY VIDEO
Basic Storyteller Package
Filming: Up to 4 hours online interviewing the primary person capturing their memories from childhood to adult, life values and legacy messages.

Editing: Includes up to 50 animated family photos, professionally edited with titles and their favorite songs. Approximate length 15-20 minutes.
Cost: $600 (Reg. $900)*
WATCH ABIGAIL’S ONE MINUTE DEMO
CONTACT ROB LAMP FOR A FREE CONSULTATION 
ROBLAMP@GMAIL.COM
407-729-5267

If these prices still seem daunting, please feel free to get in touch with me to discuss fundraising options. Everyone has a story to tell and documenting that story is more important than ever when there is a serious illness or we are cut off from those we love. This project may take some time and it could be difficult at times when you are thinking about someone viewing a video after you are gone. I get it, I really do. I’m here to answer questions or anyone can feel free to contact Rob directly. He’s dealt with two different cancer diagnoses in his life and he gets it.

Published by Abigail Johnston

I'm a daughter, a wife, a mother, and I've been living with Stage IV Metastatic Breast Cancer since March, 2017. All of the words I publish are my own.

Published

13 thoughts on “Legacy Project”

  2. Good idea, although pricey. When I was diagnosed a year ago my first thought was that my granddaughter would never get to know me. A therapist suggested that I do a children’s book for her (since I’m a writer). Haven’t done it yet, probably because I’m afraid to do something so final.

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  3. I love the idea of a legacy video! My husband and I never had children and at 42 I wonder if I should make a video for him or parents? Does it still mean the same or have the same impact when there are no children to pass it down too?? Just something I’m thinking about…… and curious what you think.

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  4. I don’t know how I knew, but I’ve been staring at my WordPress app with the little red dot and was hesitating to read it. Somehow I knew I was not going to like what it said this time. (Not the writing! Just the topic.) I knew it was going to be a trigger. And it was. But a necessary one.

    Thank you for writing about the hard stuff and especially for knowing this is needed and doing it! It’s exactly what I’ve been thinking about! ♥️🙏🏽♥️

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