Death with Dignity

So many new folks have joined us in the last few months-welcome!👋Want to learn more about DWD? Check out our online resource “What is DWD?” to learn more about an end-of-life option that provides those with a terminal illness choice and peace of mind. deathwithdignity.org/resourc…

“My mom was willing to be the first person in Michigan to have this choice. More than that, she wanted to open this door for others facing awful illnesses like hers.” During her lifetime, the water brought Ann’s mom joy. As a swim instructor, social worker, mother, and grandmother, she built a life around caring for others and helping them find their own way. But after being diagnosed with ALS, she gradually lost the ability to control her own body as her disease continued to progress. Her mom wanted the comfort of knowing that a Death with Dignity law could support her decision to end her suffering. But Michigan doesn’t have one. Ann’s mom died on October 15, 2026, but her wish to make Death with Dignity available to others lives on. Now, Ann is sharing their story to help Michigan lawmakers understand why terminally ill adults deserve the right to decide when enough is enough. Read Ann’s story and learn why she’s continuing to advocate for Death with Dignity in Michigan: tinyurl.com/5bpuupjf

Today, we’re celebrating nearly three decades since Oregon’s Death with Dignity law was implemented, and the beginning of a movement that would change end-of-life care across the country. On October 27, 1997, Oregon became the first state to implement a medical aid-in-dying law, paving the way for 13 other jurisdictions to authorize their laws. Some of the very people who helped write Oregon’s original law and led the campaign that brought it to life are still part of our team today. Oregon’s impact reaches far beyond its borders. Every Death with Dignity law enacted in the U.S. is modeled after Oregon’s law, and Oregon’s model has informed policy discussions around the world, including in France and Great Britain. 29 years later, we’re still advocating and defending the right of terminally ill people to make personal decisions about their deaths. What began in Oregon in 1997 fundamentally transformed the entire end-of-life care system in the U.S. We honor the advocates who made it possible, celebrate the progress they inspired, and continue working to advance end-of-life freedom for terminally ill patients. #DeathWithDignity #EndOfLifeCare #MedicalAidInDying #RightToDie

In case you missed it: The Associated Press recently featured an in-depth story by Luis Andres Henao on Deb’s Law, Illinois’ newly enacted medical aid-in-dying law, named after advocate Deb Robertson. Recognized by AP editors as one of “The Best of AP,” Henao’s reporting explores the law’s impact and the personal stories of the people whose lives it touches. Read our blog for highlights from this important reporting: tinyurl.com/5bp3jpfn

Our 2026 Annual Report is here! See what we accomplished together and what’s next for the movement. Read now: ow.ly/lHCw50ZQOs6 #MedicalAidInDying #EndOfLifeCare #DeathwithDignity

With the recent passing of Deb’s Law in Illinois and speaking with Deb Robertson herself, a new article from the Associated Press (AP) takes a look at medical aid in dying in the U.S. and the growing conversations across the country. ow.ly/JyTf50ZQIHP

Jaine lived with strength, creativity, compassion, and determination. After receiving a terminal diagnosis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, she chose to use California’s End of Life Option Act. Having access to medical aid in dying gave Jaine peace and the freedom to keep fighting her disease and living fully. Now, her husband Bill is sharing her story to show how this choice gave Jaine greater control and dignity at the end of her life. Read Bill’s story and learn why he continues to advocate for medical aid in dying nationwide: tinyurl.com/4mepa5jz

The Illinois End-of-Life Options for Terminally Ill Patients Act (Deb’s Law) has officially been implemented! From our CEO, Peg Sandeen: “The people of Illinois made history today. Their tireless work ensured the bill became law, making Illinois the first Midwestern state to implement a Death with Dignity law in the U.S.” Read our press release: tinyurl.com/8weays7e

Another hurdle cleared for Deb’s Law in Illinois! Today, a federal judge denied opponents’ attempt to block Illinois’ medical aid in dying law, ruling that they lacked standing and failed to show they would suffer irreparable harm. Death with Dignity CEO Peg Sandeen said: “Our opponents brought forward a cacophony of theater and noise, but they forgot the substance. The judge saw right through their disingenuous claims.” Another lawsuit challenging parts of the law remains pending, and we expect a decision in the next two days. Deb’s Law is still on track to take effect September 12, which would make Illinois the 13th state, plus Washington, D.C., to implement medical aid in dying. Share this victory with your community! #deathwithdignity #medicalaidindying #illinois

What could you change about the way we approach death and dying? Death with Dignity’s 2027 Global Fellows in End-of-Life Care Program is now accepting applications. Six Fellows. Six original projects. One year to make an impact. $4,000 stipend + mentorship + fully funded retreat Applications due October 4, 2026 Learn more and apply: tinyurl.com/3dyjs362

“If I had to describe him in one way, I would say this: I have never known anyone who had as many people genuinely believe he was their best friend.” For more than a decade, Dale and Bob built a life together filled with love, laughter, family, and three beloved dogs. When Bob’s cancer returned, he chose to stop treatment and spend the time he had left truly living. Bob hoped he could die on his own terms in Kentucky, but Death with Dignity isn’t legal in the Bluegrass State. Bob ultimately entered hospice, where he received compassionate care. But he wanted to be the one making decisions about how, when, and where he said goodbye. Instead, his disease made those decisions for him. After Bob died in 2025, Dale is sharing their story in hopes that more people will understand why compassionate end-of-life choices matter. Read Dale’s story and learn why he continues to advocate for Death with Dignity. tinyurl.com/mwu3crk5

Dr. Jeremy Boal’s life changed forever in November 2023 when he was diagnosed with ALS. His first thought was how he would live with the disease. As a physician specializing in internal medicine and geriatrics in New York, Dr. Boal had spent years caring for patients with ALS and witnessing how profoundly the disease can take over a person’s life. His experience led him to become an advocate for Death with Dignity. Now, thanks to New York’s MAID law, he has the option to make his own decisions about the end of his life. Learn more about Dr. Boal’s story and how having this option gives him peace of mind, knowing that ALS will not ultimately decide for him. tinyurl.com/kwdhv8u2 #deathwithdignity #medicalaidindying #ALS

As more states continue to pass and enact medical aid in dying laws across the country, you may be wondering how to talk to your doctor about your end-of-life options. You may not know what questions to ask or where to even begin. Learn more about the steps you can take to approach end-of-life conversations with your doctor on our blog: tinyurl.com/24nzkpnf

Thank you for your incredible leadership on the Medical Aid in Dying Act, @bradhoylman!

Today, we celebrate a monumental moment over a decade in the making: New York’s Medical Aid in Dying Act has officially been implemented! From our CEO, Peg Sandeen: “New Yorkers never back down when it comes to defending dignity. For well over a decade, they have channeled their determination, grit, and unwavering spirit into our medical aid-in-dying movement. I’m proud to say the time has finally come when terminally ill New Yorkers have the law on their side.” Read our press release: tinyurl.com/479t6tnc

On July 15, France's National Assembly approved an aid-in-dying law after years of public debate and advocacy. If upheld following constitutional review, the law will allow eligible adults with incurable, advanced illnesses to have the option of an assisted death under strict safeguards. Our CEO, Peg Sandeen, reflected on this milestone after meeting with French Minister Agnès Firmin-Le Bodo in 2023 to discuss Oregon's decades of experience with medical aid in dying. Read more about what this means for France, how the law differs from the U.S. model, and the growing model for dignity at the end of life. tinyurl.com/mups8vun

The countdown begins! New York is set to become the 13th jurisdiction to allow terminally ill patients to request medication to end their lives, with the state's Medical Aid in Dying Act taking effect this week. Our Campaign Strategist, Geoff Sugarman, recently spoke with Spectrum News 1 about how New York’s law is similar to and different from other states' laws, and how well the law has worked since it was first enacted 30 years ago. After more than a decade of advocacy, end-of-life freedom is finally coming home to New York. Read the full story: tinyurl.com/nh9ueydr

Today, New York courts delivered two important victories for end-of-life freedom for New Yorkers. In both lawsuits, opponents failed to dismantle New York’s Medical Aid in Dying Act, and New York prevailed! Lawsuit 1: The Brooklyn Center for Independence of the Disabled et al. v. Hochul et al., Judge Orelia E. Merchant ruled that plaintiffs did not demonstrate they were at risk because of New York’s Medical Aid in Dying Act and dismissed the case without prejudice. Death with Dignity CEO Peg Sandeen shared: “Our opponents brought forward a cacophony of theater and noise with no substance. The judge saw right through their disingenuous claims.” Lawsuit 2: The Carmelite Sisters for the Aged and Infirm, Inc. et al. v. James et al., Judge Anne M. Nardacci approved a limited agreement that protects healthcare workers’ right to voluntarily refuse to participate in medical aid in dying. Those with religious or other objections will not be required to participate. With today’s decisions, New York’s Medical Aid in Dying Act goes into effect on August 5, making New York the 13th U.S. jurisdiction to implement medical aid in dying for eligible, terminally ill adults. Share this victory with your community today! #deathwithdignity #medicalaidindying #newyork

For 55 years, Jean and Chuck built a life together in Minnesota filled with family, love, and adventures along the North Shore. Today, Chuck is living with advanced Parkinson's disease and wants the freedom to make his own end-of-life decisions. But Minnesota law doesn't give him that choice. After this year's legislative session ended without action, Jean isn't giving up. She's sharing her family's story in hopes of building support for medical aid in dying in Minnesota. Read Jean and Chuck's story and learn why they continue to advocate for Death with Dignity. tinyurl.com/4cjzcaac

“Before cancer entered my life, I never imagined that at 84 years old I would be fighting for something as basic as the right to decide how my own story ends.” Bill spent decades building a life in Massachusetts—as an attorney, husband, father, grandfather, and community member. But after being diagnosed with Stage IV lung cancer, he began facing questions he never expected: how much control would he have over his own end-of-life experience? While treatment has given him more time, Bill knows that his cancer is terminal. He believes that people facing the end of life should have the freedom to make personal decisions that reflect their own values, without having to leave their homes or cross state lines to access compassionate options. Today, Bill is sharing his story and why he is advocating for Massachusetts’ End of Life Options Act (H2505/S1486)—so that no terminally ill person has to face unnecessary suffering without the choice they believe is right for them. Read his story: tinyurl.com/4xr2yydx

As more states adopt medical aid in dying laws, more people are seeking clear, accurate information about what these laws mean and how they work. Our CEO Peg Sandeen recently spoke with MarketWatch about the importance of planning ahead for end-of-life care, and why understanding your values before a terminal diagnosis matters. Read more about why many people seek this option and the importance of discussing your end-of-life wishes with loved ones: bit.ly/4hp9RxB