News

Providing much more than just a legacy document, biography or life story programs are being offered by a growing number of palliative care volunteer services across NSW.

Facing a terminal diagnosis changes the way people think about time. Priorities shift. Small moments become precious. Experiences that once seemed ordinary can take on profound meaning.

For Matthew Cumming, who was diagnosed with stage-four prostate cancer in 2020, that shift led him to reconnect with what mattered most. He returned to sailing, travelled with loved ones, and embraced opportunities that had long been postponed. But one of the most meaningful experiences came not from a destination or adventure, but from something surprisingly simple: telling his life story.

The Power of Looking Back

Many people assume they haven’t done anything extraordinary enough to warrant a biography. Matthew initially felt the same way, questioning what he could possibly have to offer. Yet through a biography program at St Vincent’s Hospital Sydney, he spent time reflecting on his experiences, achievements, relationships, and lessons learned.

What emerged was not just a record of events. It was recognition.

The process helped him see his life from a different perspective. The conversations provided purpose, connection, and an opportunity to appreciate the impact he had made on others.

It’s a reminder that most lives are far richer than we give ourselves credit for.

Cumming’s biographer Tilgals, who retired from a career in media last year, says volunteering has had an enormous impact on her life.

The hospital, whose program has been running for 12 years, has just partnered with the University of Notre Dame on a study hoping to back up the anecdotal benefits staff, patients, families and volunteers have experienced. It’s slated for publication later this year.

Davinia Seah, head of palliative medicine at St Vincent’s, hopes the findings from the Notre Dame study will help bolster credibility and secure greater funding for the service.

“It’s the human aspects of people’s stories that come out, bringing back connection, making one human, not just a patient,” she says.

Professor Megan Best, a research associate at Notre Dame’s Institute for Ethics and Society, is leading the study. We’re delighted that Professor Best will be presenting her findings on her Storytelling at End of Life: Evaluating the Establishment of Volunteer-Led Biography Programs in Palliative Care research at this year’s Volunteer Managers Conference. {add link “Volunteer Managers Conference’ to volconf program page https://pcnswconference.org.au/volunteer-managers/

Why Stories Matter at the End of Life

Palliative care is often associated with managing physical symptoms and improving comfort. Increasingly, however, healthcare providers are recognising the importance of emotional and spiritual wellbeing.

Biography programs allow patients to reflect on their lives, preserve memories, and create a lasting legacy for families. These conversations can help people find meaning, reinforce their identity, and feel seen as more than a diagnosis.

For family members, the resulting stories become treasured records. Future generations gain insight into who their parents, grandparents, and loved ones truly were beyond the roles they played in everyday life.

This news story written by Sydney Morning Herald lifestyle writer Lauren Ironmonger, writes that Matthew’s experience highlights something universal: every person has a story worth telling. We often wait for a milestone, retirement, or crisis before reflecting on our lives. Yet taking time to record memories, share experiences, and express gratitude can be valuable at any stage of life.

In a world that often celebrates achievement, biography programs remind us of a deeper truth: every life contains meaning, and every story is worth remembering.

Source: Sydney Morning Herald article “After a terminal diagnosis, this simple act brought Matthew joy“