ABOUT THE PROJECT
LOGLINE
VANISHING: A LOVE STORY is about award-winning novelist Cai Emmons and her loving, open-hearted journey towards death. As she struggles to “do it right” and on her own terms, she creates powerful and lasting reminders that she was here.
SYNOPSIS
VANISHING: A LOVE STORY takes place during the last six-months of 71 year-old Cai Emmons’ life. Early in February of 2021, after more than 6 months of persistent inquiry, she receives a diagnosis of Bulbar-onset ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis better known as Lou Gerhig’s Disease). Ironically, during this time, Cai experiences the greatest successes of her professional career, selling two novels to two different publishers, on the same day.
When we first meet Cai in the film, the destination of her journey seems far away, despite grim statistics. Her ALS feels chronic, even manageable. And Cai approaches all the indignities of her illness with a detached curiosity: chatting with nurses and other patients about ports, lung capacity, muscle strength, tube feeding, tracheotomies and Death with Dignity.
But shortly after a blow-out celebration for the publications of her books, Cai begins a physical free-fall decline.
She throws herself into preparing her friends and family for her death. She does a guided psilocybin trip hoping to gain emotional clarity. She researches the Death with Dignity requirements in Oregon. This brings up unexpected challenges, she must be able to self-administer, and she must have a terminal diagnosis that will her disease will, more than likely, lead to her death within six months. It’s a diagnosis her doctor is hesitant to give, and Cai worries she will lose her opportunity to plan how she dies.
VANISHING: A LOVE STORY is, first and foremost, a film about the agency of expression—having a voice to create a legacy in the world. End-of life decisions, self-determination and personal agency are the major topics and themes of the film, in a cultural climate that shies away from them.
PROJECT TYPE Documentary Feature
DIRECTOR Sandra Luckow
PRODUCER Sandra Luckow, Kat Vecchio
associate producer Paul Calandrino
WEBSITE vanishingalovestory.com
FACEBOOK Facebook Page
🎬 Support independent film through The Film Collaborative
The Film Collaborative (TFC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit supporting independent filmmakers.
Federal Tax ID: 32-0295081
Your gift is tax-deductible as allowed by law.
💳 Ways to Give
- Online:
Click the Donate button above. You can:- Use your PayPal account, or
- Check out as a guest with your debit/credit card — no PayPal account required.
- ACH or Wire
Email us for instructions.
- Zelle
Email us for instructions.
- Check
Checks are accepted, but for time and security reasons, electronic donations are preferred when possible.
Check donation instructions are here.
- Stock
Donating appreciated stock can increase your impact by up to 20%.
Learn more about advantages of stock donations here.
Email us for instructions.
- Donor-Advised Funds (DAF):
Instructions for donating from a DAF are here.
📈 Maximize Your Gift
- Many employers offer matching gifts, doubling or even tripling your donation. Some match contributions up to a year after they’re made.
- When donating via PayPal, consider covering the small processing fee to make the most of your gift toward the project.
📄 Tax Receipts
- In compliance with IRS rules, tax receipts are issued for the amount TFC receives after payment processor fees are deducted.
- PDF tax receipts are emailed within 30 days of your online donation.
- The “receipt” immediately sent by PayPal is only a payment confirmation — it is not your tax receipt.
📅 Important Year-End Giving Dates for 2025
- Dec 19: Most large gifts are decided by the Friday before the holidays.
- Dec 31, 4:59 PM PT: Cutoff for wire, ACH, and Zelle gifts to be received in TFC’s account.
- Dec 31: Postmark deadline for check donations.
- Dec 31, 11:59 PM PT: Cutoff for online credit/debit gifts.
Thank you for helping bring powerful independent films to life.
ID: 565