About The Hopecality Project
Our Mission
I am a cancer physician and researcher who specialized in the treatment of prostate, kidney and bladder cancer. As a young child I was repeatedly sexually assaulted by the minister of the church attended by my family. Because of the fear instilled by my perpetrator, this trauma demanded silence and, therefore, secrecy prevailed until during my Hematology/Oncology fellowship. At that time, I was dealing with worsening depression and nightmares, becoming increasingly isolated from my family and friends. Through the help and support of my then future wife, my family and many others; I began to face this past abuse and reclaim what I had lost as a result of that trauma. Despite significant counselling and therapy over several years I was never able to reclaim that feeling of personal safety, joy, and freedom that is so readily apparent when we see a happy child, playfully embracing the world around them. This though was changed by one of my patients, who was also a former colleague terminally ill with prostate cancer.
This patient’s story is featured in a documentary called “Patient: A Surgeon Journey”. This documentary is the first sponsored endeavor of The HopeCality Project and chronicles Dr. Jeffrey Piehler’s journey with his cancer as he confronted the fear of both of his cancer and of death. In the process, he develops a new appreciation of the beauty in the world, being in the moment, and the “series of miracles” that happen around us all the time. This experience inspired me to take an even deeper look at my own past and the embedded fears which still kept me from finding true peace and joy.
The HopeCality Project’s mission is specifically to help abrogate those fears which prevent us from living our best life. Fear is multifaceted including the fear of the unknown, the fear instilled by those who use it to control or abuse, the fear of caused by illness, fear of being able to provide for family, and many other phobias. Our mission a strategic battle against any fear which limits us.
Peter Van Veldhuizen
Notable Quote
“Hope is the only thing stronger than fear” (The Hunger Games). In our film, it was hope that allowed Dr. Piehler to overcome his fears and learn to embrace life despite his illness. In the case of my story, it was fear that demanded silence and extinguished the hope for justice in the moment. It is hope which allows us to live despite a serious illness like cancer. It is hope which perpetrators fear the most because hope is a pathway for victims to expose their crime.
Our goal is to foster discussion and research that will help eradicate those fears which impact both our individual lives and society and empower hope.
Our History and Goals
Film Screening
Our first sponsored endeavor is our film, “Patient: A Surgeon’s Journey”. The link above is the trailer to this documentary. We are offering a screening of our new PBS ready version either virtually or in person. Fees are dependent on the venue and whether it includes the participation of one of our team. Please contact us for additional information if there is interest in pursuing a screening.
Our History
HopeCality Inc was first formed in 2018 (EIN: 824888616). Our initial momentum was slowed by the COVID pandemic but our efforts to date include:
Screenings: We have had multiple screenings of our initial film version which have included venues such as SWOG which is a national clinical trial research organization, screenings to physician groups and other health care providers, and screenings involving the community and patients. These screenings have included discussion sessions led by one of our team.
Film Festival: We have participated in the Carmel International Film Festival at Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA where part of our documentary was filmed.
Education: An education conference called, “A Better Me for a Better You” which was organized by our team but also financially supported by the Research Foundation at Research Medical Center, Kansas City, MO. This conference focused on health care provider self-care which also allow us to better care for our patients.
“Fire in the Heart”: “Fire in the Heart” was a live performance produced by Debra Allen and Delores Burgess held at the White Theatre at the J in Overland Park, Kansas. This production was a life-affirming celebration of how the performing arts help process and heal from trauma. It featured several artists confronting their trauma or illness through singing, dance, poetry, spoken word or other venues. HopeCality team members provided financial support and Dr. Van Veldhuizen was a participant in the event.
Our Projects and Team
Future and Supported Projects
Our goal is to support and/or foster the following:
Educational Venues: Develop and/or support educational ideas like, “A Better Me for a Better You” which are consistent with our stated mission.
Pilot Research Projects: Develop or help foster external ideas which investigate novel and unique avenues to help others find ways to find their light by confronting their fears, counter the use of fear as measure of control, or give our children tools which may help prevent trauma which is perpetrated by fear. The goal of these pilot projects is to provide preliminary data for larger scales researcher studies. Examples include but are not limited to: 1) Novel techniques to help those suffering with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), 2) Studies that evaluate innovative ways to counter the use of social media to spread misinformation using fear to control a specific population, 3) Innovative ways to help patients embrace life despite illnesses which could impact their mortality or 4) Genomic or epigenetic studies delineate our bodies response to fear and the impact of that response on our health.
Personal Screenings: As indicated, offer personal screenings of our documentary to include discussion with member(s) of the team involved in making the film.
Documentaries: Produce future documentaries which connect to our mission.
Podcasts: Future plans include the development of a podcast and/or blog with topics consistent with our mission.
Our Team
The HopeCality Board consists of Peter Van Veldhuizen, MD (Chair), Scott Heying (Treasurer), Bonnie Heying (Secretary) and Eric Thompson, MD. Aimee Larrabee (Inland Sea Productions) and Jordon Rioux (Method Media) provide ongoing input on organizational direction and assistance with video and film production.
Join Us
Help Our Cause
We will be seeking support for specific future projects but currently just appreciate you sharing a story about a fear that you or someone close to you experienced or your ideas about how we can lessen the impact of fear on our world.