Film shares powerful story of a wife, mother, and friend sharing her long goodbye after a cancer diagnosis.
Film to release on the 4th anniversary of Kara’s homecoming
Los Angeles, CA – In 2014 and 2015, one young woman in Colorado dared to explore the raw edges of dying with grace and dignity in real time, and, in the process, unknowingly impacted tens of thousands around the world. Now, her powerful story is being shared in the documentary THE LONG GOODBYE: The Kara Tippetts Story, distributed through Ocean Avenue Entertainment and available on DVD and digital channels, on the 4th anniversary of her passing, March 22.
A new trailer for the film has just been released: https://youtu.be/ToS3zVdZlqQ
Kara was a 38-year old pastor’s wife and mother of four young children who had begun a mommy blog titled “Mundane Faithfulness”, sharing the concept of parenting with kindness. The website already had a successful following when she began facing and processing a cancer diagnosis on the site. The site became a sacred space, as people around the world were touched by Kara’s faith, honesty, and candor. She allowed the world to walk with her as she chronicled first what it meant to be a young wife and mother battling a disease, and then ultimately what it means to live and die, with love and dignity.
Kara was thrust into the spotlight with her letter to Brittany Maynard going viral. Kara’s vulnerability had an incredible impact on thousands of people around the world, and grew that community of support in surprising ways. Faith influencers from around the globe began to find ways to assist Kara by sharing her posts, sending personal messages, serving the family’s needs, as well as just becoming her friend. A few of these friends have reflected on her life:
“I want more of what Kara Tippetts had.” – Ann Voskamp, Kara’s writing mentor
“I think Kara and I both understand that deep suffering stretches the capacity of the soul.” -Joni Eareckson Tada
“The impact of her life was huge. I’m blessed to know her.” – Joanna Gaines
During her journey with cancer, Kara was able to write and publish three books, including Just Show Up: The Dance of Walking Through Suffering Together and And It was Beautiful: Celebrating Life in the Midst of the Long Good-Bye. Her third book, The Hardest Peace: Expecting Grace in the Midst of Life’s Hard, won the 2015 ECPA Christian Book Award® in the Inspiration category. The award was announced after Kara’s passing, but she had been informed of the win in her final days.
Kara’s story came to the attention of filmmakers Jay and Sofia Lyons early after her diagnosis, and the couple felt led to do something for her. Sofia states how God led them down a path to create the film by a series of ‘breadcrumbs’: “First, we just wanted to do something special for Kara and her family. This evolved into creating a 7-minute video about her life, which ultimately opened up a conversation about fully documenting her last few months on earth.
“Sharing this time with her family was nothing short of a holy experience.”
One of the unique views of THE LONG GOODBYE is experiencing their local community that gathered to help the family in their time of need. “Their impact in Kara’s story is remarkable. These friends walked alongside the Tippetts through every aspect of her diagnosis, and truly show us how to love and honor someone who is at the end of their journey.”
“We know that Kara’s story will continue to have an incredible impact,” continues Jay. “Cancer and other similar diseases are impossibly prevalent in our society. If we aren’t personally facing any number of health crises, we know someone who is. Kara helps us understand what it means to be facing an impossible health battle. She helps us understand how God walks with us in our pain. She helps us understand what it means to say goodbye with grace and an abundance of love.”
In association with Freely, LLC, THE LONG GOODBYE: The Kara Tippetts Story will be available March 22 on DVD and Digital formats. http://
About Ocean Avenue Entertainment:
Ocean Avenue Entertainment, Inc. is the destination for productions that offer hope to audiences looking for inspiration in entertainment. Ocean Avenue is committed to releasing inspiring and redemptive films and television programming. Its distribution strategy optimizes each release platform to find the widest possible audience theatrically on VOD, DVD and ultimately on streaming sites like Netflix and Amazon Prime. For more information, please visit www.oceanave.tv.
About Freely:
Freely specializes in projects that touch the human spirit. Freely is building content across all platforms including film, TV, live events, digital media, and has recently launched a talent management division. www.freely.com
For more information, to receive a screener, or to schedule and interview, please contact:
Lori Heiselman 714-553-5181 Lori@BiscuitMediaGroup.com
BIRMINGHAM: Iron Stream Media announces
February 28, 2019 — More than 800 people stood in line for five hours at the Albany Barnes & Noble for the chance to meet a man and his dog who are changing lives.
GRAND RAPIDS, MICH., FEBRUARY 28, 2019 — Discovery House Publishers has announced the release of a new leather-like edition of the best-selling devotional book, “God Hears Her: 365 Devotions for Women by Women” (Our Daily Bread) — available now wherever books are sold. Originally released in 2017, Discovery House has distributed over 140,000 units combined of the hardcover, ebook and paperback editions. It remains in the Top 10 Devotional Books at Amazon, and landed at #3 on Christian Retailing’s Top 20 Books of 2018 chart.
Grand Rapids, Mich., Feb. 26, 2019 — The Bible’s depth can seem overwhelming, but within the pages of Scripture you will find words of peace, hope, and love waiting for you. Sometimes the hardest part of beginning is knowing where to start. The NIV Starting Place Study Bible guides you through Scripture so you can understand God’s love for you and build a relationship with the Savior who longs to know you personally.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Feb. 19, 2019) – ICON Media Group announces it has promoted Christina Bostick to publicist. Bostick joined the ICON team as associate publicist in November 2017 and her role includes writing, media pitching and booking, client reporting and assisting with events.
Bend, OR (February 13, 2019) After 12 years of successful partnership, Torrey Sharp has bought out partner Charles Brock’s interest in Faceout Studio. Torrey and Charles bought the studio from industry icon, David Uttley, in 2007 after David grew the business from it’s inception in 1996. “This transition is about acknowledging there are seasons for everything, embracing change and looking toward the future,” says Torrey. Faceout Studio stands behind it’s original vision of producing consistent, innovative book design for clients — a vision Torrey plans to advance in the coming years.
February 20, 2019 — Lon Allison’s battle with liver cancer isn’t slowing him down—especially when it comes to spreading the good news of the Gospel, and the message of his friend and predecessor, Billy Graham.
Carol Stream, IL February 20, 2019 – The Christianity Today Board of Directors has unanimously elected Dr. Timothy Dalrymple as its next president and CEO. He will begin his new role May 1, 2019.




