We invite you to join us for a meaningful and intimate gathering centered on one of the most important, and often avoided, conversations of our time: choice, dignity, and intention at the end of life.

The Cheryl Hauser Effect is a powerful documentary that follows a Minnesota woman’s courageous decision to face Alzheimer’s disease on her own terms through VSED (Voluntarily Stopping Eating and Drinking). At seventy-six, Cheryl Hauser became a clear, conscious, and compassionate advocate for end-of-life autonomy, sparking a national conversation about Death with Dignity, Alzheimer’s, caregiving, and health care ethics.

Attendees will:
- Watch selected scenes from the film
- Learn more about VSED, Alzheimer’s, and end-of-life options
- Participate in an in-depth Q&A with the filmmakers and family, Erica Reid Gerdes (Death Doula, Waxwing Journeys) and Brooke Benjamin (Funeral Director and Celebrant, Inclusive Funeral Care)
- Help shape what comes next for this important project

Doors open at 1:30 PM, the screening and discussion begin at 2:00 PM. We welcome you to tour the beautiful, historic Graceland Cemetery before the event. The cemetery gates close at 4:00 PM.

If you are driving to the event, you can park on the road near the chapel. For those taking public transit, please note that the chapel is a 10–15 minute walk into the cemetery grounds.

We encourage you to bring a friend, especially someone who is navigating aging, caregiving, health decisions, or simply wants to better understand these critical issues. Your presence, and your support, helps make the next phase of this film possible.

Come learn. Come reflect. Come be part of the conversation.