Currently in production, this intimate documentary follows one woman’s journey with Alzheimer’s and the end-of-life choice she made to face her final chapter with clarity and intention.

When Cheryl Hauser was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s at age 76, having witnessed how the disease steadily took so much from her brother, she chose VSED, Voluntarily Stopping Eating and Drinking, as an end-of-life option that aligned with her wishes and allowed her to shape her own final chapter. Cheryl also chose to have her experience documented so others could better understand this compassionate choice and the options available to people facing progressive illness.

The Cheryl Hauser Effect is a documentary that explores the VSED process with honesty and humanity, offering rare insight into what this path can look like and why some individuals choose it as a way to approach the end of life with a sense of steadiness and intention.

The film is shaped by directors Wendy Brown, a death doula who supports individuals and families at the end of life, and her sister Sarah, a birth doula whose work honors beginnings. Their mother often called them “the bookends of life,” a perspective that naturally influences the sensitivity of the storytelling. Story producer Lindsey Seavert, an award-winning documentarian, guides the narrative alongside a seasoned team in editing, cinematography, and production.

As production continues, the film invites viewers to consider how we approach death, dementia, and personal choice, and to imagine a world where compassion and autonomy guide us at life’s most vulnerable moments.

This story matters because these choices touch us all.

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Your donation is 100% tax-deductible via FilmNorth - a 501(c)3 nonprofit.

We need your help to bring this story to life. Your donation or investment will directly support the next stages of production and ensure Cheryl’s story can reach and inspire many more people.

In addition, we’re available to speak with audiences who wish to learn more about the film’s purpose and impact, helping to expand its reach and deepen its connection with communities everywhere.

Please consider giving today and sharing this campaign with your friends, family, and community on Facebook and Instagram. Every gift and every share helps carry Cheryl’s legacy further.

The Filmmakers

WENDY BROWN

PRODUCER/CO-DIRECTOR
Wendy is a certified end-of-life doula (INELDA, NEDA) and one of the founding members of the Minnesota Death Collaborative. She has supported clients in Minnesota and Wisconsin, worked alongside her mother through VSED, and brings decades of experience as a video and film producer in corporate and advertising settings. Wendy regularly speaks nationally on end-of-life care, VSED, and compassionate guidance, blending professional expertise with deeply personal insight. Learn more at mychemin.com.
SARAH LONGACRE

CO-DIRECTOR
Sarah is a certified birth doula, entrepreneur, community connector — and Cheryl’s daughter. She founded Blooma, a pioneering pre- and postnatal yoga and education studio, and has been recognized with multiple awards for her leadership in childbirth education. Her expertise in guiding families through life’s most transformative moments brings depth and compassion to her work co-directing The Cheryl Hauser Effect.
LINDSEY SEAVERT

STORY PRODUCER
Writer, documentary filmmaker, journalist — and lifelong storyteller. Lindsey Seavert is an Emmy, Edward R. Murrow, and Alfred I. duPont award-winning filmmaker driven to bring untold stories to light. After two decades as a broadcast journalist, she launched her production company, Seavert Studios, following her acclaimed documentary Love Them First. Her work centers on purpose-driven storytelling and the power of film to inspire change. Learn more at seavertstudios.com.
RENNY McCAULEY

SENOR EDITOR
With decades of experience across corporate, nonprofit, and documentary film, award-winning editor Renny McCauley brings precision, creativity, and heart to every project. Known for his ability to shape vast amounts of footage into laser-sharp, emotionally resonant narratives, his work has screened at major festivals worldwide and aired on PBS, Netflix, and Amazon Prime. His credits include Peace Officer (SXSW Jury & Audience Awards), Stumped (Cleveland International Film Festival winner), and The Insufferable Groo (Doc NYC, Sheffield Doc/Fest). Renny has collaborated with clients including Goodwill, Dell, Yeti, and Mayo Clinic—valued for his ability to craft stories that engage, inform, and inspire. Learn more at rennymccauley.com.
NELSON HILL

CINEMATOGRAPHER
Nelson Hill brings a gentle, intuitive touch to The Cheryl Hauser Effect, capturing moments of raw emotion and skillfully directing Cheryl even from behind the camera. His experience spans set design and cinematography on Lost in the Manor and Golden Era to commercial, family, and lifestyle photography—always balancing artistry with warmth. Nelson’s ability to hold a scene, honor authentic emotion, and guide on-camera presence makes him an essential collaborator in telling Cheryl’s story with care and depth. Learn more at nelsonhillphotography.com.