Participate in the Project
There are many ways to participate in the project. Workshops, in-person interviews, but also the two ways below:
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Call for Participation: (keep) in touch-
Are you a previvor, current breast cancer patient, thriver, or survivor?
Your voice and story are essential to "(keep) in touch," a participatory art installation exploring connection, resilience, and care within the breast cancer community. This project creates a collective archive of shared experiences, providing a space for reflection and solidarity through audio and video storytelling.
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How to Participate
You’re invited to respond to one or more of the following prompts:
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What would you say to someone just starting their breast cancer journey?
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What gave you hope during your most difficult times?
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What’s one thing you wish someone had told you?
Choose how you’d like to share:
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Call and Leave an Audio Message
Dial 616-315-0487 to leave a voicemail. Your voice will become part of the installation, played on a rotary phone where visitors will listen in an intimate setting.​
Record and Send a Video
Film a 1–3 minute video sharing your response.
DM your video on Instagram: @mallory.shotwell
Email your video: suspendedselfproject@gmail.com
Your contribution doesn’t need to be perfect—just heartfelt. Share your story in your own way, whether it’s a casual voice recording or a video filmed in a meaningful place.
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Why Your Voice Matters
This project values the power of storytelling as a way to foster connection, resilience, and understanding within the breast cancer community. By participating, you help create a space where your wisdom and experiences can comfort, inspire, and support others.
All submissions will also be shared online, allowing contributors to see their stories alongside others, creating a sense of community and shared purpose before the exhibition launches.
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Where Your Story Will Be Shared
Your voice or video will be featured in an immersive art installation designed to honor and amplify your story. Visitors will:
Pick up a rotary phone to listen to audio messages, engaging with voices in an intimate, tactile interaction.
Sit at a vanity screen to watch video responses, meeting contributors eye-to-eye in a reflective, personal space.
These narratives will also be shared online, creating opportunities for broader connection and engagement.
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For questions or assistance, contact suspendedselfproject@gmail.com. Thank you for sharing your voice and being part of this meaningful work.
Share Your Story
Thank you for your interest in contributing to this meaningful project. This space is dedicated to sharing the stories of breast cancer previvors, current breast cancer patients, thrivers, and survivors. Your experiences are invaluable and help inform and shape this work.
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There are two portions to this form:
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For previvors (those who have not had cancer but are at high risk or have taken preventative measures).
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For individuals who have been diagnosed with breast cancer, either currently or in the past (patients, thrivers, and survivors).
Since these experiences are distinct, we ask that you only respond to the section that applies to you. If one does not apply, please skip it entirely.
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You are invited to answer one, some, or all of the questions in the form. These responses will help create certain parts of the project, such as “If cancer was an object”—where I photograph your real answers, ensuring your voice becomes a part of this work.
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How to Share Your Story
The form is embedded below for convenience, but it is also available here.
If you'd like to see examples of shared stories, visit the Read Stories link.
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Information We Ask For
We collect the following details to better connect our stories and understand the impact breast cancer has on our communities:
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First Name: If you prefer, you may use a pseudonym.
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Email Address: Optional, if you'd like to stay informed about the project.
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Age and City: These details help illustrate how breast cancer affects so many of us, often living so close yet feeling far apart.
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We do not ask for or collect addresses to protect your privacy.
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Your story matters, and your voice helps bring greater awareness and connection to this journey. Thank you for sharing and being part of this work.