A safe place to share, record and treasure your stories.
Originally a project of NPR’s StoryCorps, Life Recorded started at Roswell Park in 2014 to collect the stories of people going through cancer treatment and create an archive for patients and their families.
Each one of us has a uniquely inspiring path in life that has brought us to where we are today. Every life is remarkable — it’s easy to say this about others, but how often do we stop to recognize this about our own lives? That’s what Life Recorded is here for.
A cancer diagnosis can change everything — whether it be your own, a family member or a friend. One of these things can be your outlook on your life: where you’ve been, what you’ve done, and where you have yet to go! Each one of us has a uniquely inspiring path in life that has brought us to where we are today. It’s easy to think this about others, but how often do we stop to recognize this about ourselves? Let Life Recorded help you capture this moment in time.
In one recorded, sit down session, you’ll have the opportunity to speak about anything you wish to celebrate — your life, your relationships, a specific event you’d like to reminisce about, the choice is up to you. Invite friends, family, support system, any one close to you that you’d like to share this experience with and celebrate life.
Our mission is to provide our patients, family members, volunteers and staff the opportunity to record, share, and preserve the stories of their lives. We do this to remind one another of our humanity, our sacredness, and to teach the value of listening, with the understanding that everyone’s story is unique, important, and adds value to the lives of others.
After being diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue, Noah had the opportunity to record a song he wrote inspired by his journey. He came into the booth ready to share every emotion he was feeling for this next chapter - anxiousness, hope and gratitude.
What does a Life Recorded session look like?
Each audio or video recording will be facilitated and crafted exactly how you want — from audio or video recordings, who you want on your recording with you and a location that's most comfortable for you. Afterward, your recording will be gifted to you as a physical or digital copy.
- The Storyteller: This is all about you — what do you want to share with others who may be traveling a similar path in life? What do you definitely know for sure, what are you still working out? How has your family helped shape you into who you are? Express yourself freely and perhaps discover something new.
- The Interviewer: Invite your family members, caregivers, friends, co-workers or any other special people in your life. With one or two interviewers, the session is an intimate conversation, a family bonding activity and a way to mark a milestone.
- The Facilitator: It can be difficult to know where to go next with your recorded conversation - our professionally trained facilitators will act as a compassionate guide as you tell your story, as well as set up your recording area and help you along the way.
Listen to a recording
Leslie and her daughter, Leah, sit down together with Life Recorded Leah explains how it seemed nearly impossible that her mother, an avid biker and long-time Ride For Roswell participant, rode nearly 70 miles the week before her diagnosis.
After Shannon's husband was diagnosed with glioblastoma, she was thrust into the role of caregiver. Through Life Recorded, and her own podcast The Game on Glio, she navigates grief, loss and awareness for this rare disease.
Contact us
If you are interested in participating in the Life Recorded Program, please contact Rev. Dr. Melody Rutherford, Director of Spiritual Care Department at 716-845-1300 ext. 1839.
Life Recorded is a program generously funded by the Jayne and Phil Hubbell Family through the Roswell Park Alliance Foundation.