September Dignity Report

Posted by Melissa Barber on September 29, 2010

News from www.DeathwithDignity.org	"Respect the will of the people."

Momentum in Vermont: An Insider's Glimpse at Legislation in 2011 by Peg Sandeen, Executive Director The Death with Dignity National Center, through our sister organization the Oregon Death with Dignity Political Action Fund, has entered into a partnership agreement with Patient Choices at End of Life – Vermont to work together toward a 2011 Death with Dignity legislative effort. This agreement is a product of a nearly 10-year collaborative history between our two organizations, marked by mutual respect and admiration. The partnership is contingent upon one significant factor—the outcome of the Vermont gubernatorial election on November 2nd, which pits the current Republican Lt. Governor Brian Dubie against the president pro-tem of the State Senate Peter Shumlin. READ MORE > Palliative Care Extends Life by Melissa Barber, Electronic Communications Specialist Far too often palliative care is seen as the last-ditch effort or "giving up" when a physician isn't winning a battle with cancer. A recent study published in the New England Journal of Medicine disagrees with this line of reasoning and shows palliative care can be a huge benefit when offered early and alongside cancer treatment. The study, led by Harvard researcher Jennifer Temel, MD, found patients who received palliative care soon after being diagnosed with terminal lung cancer were significantly happier, had a better quality of life, underwent less aggressive care and lived nearly three months longer than those not receiving palliative care. READ MORE > Happy Retirement, George by Peg Sandeen, Executive Director I've worked in the Death with Dignity movement for five years now, and through this work I've met some amazing people. George Eighmey is one of them, a truly thoughtful and caring individual who has committed more than a decade of his life to working with individuals who are terminally ill and contemplating Death with Dignity. On August 31st, George launched a new career: retirement. I'm happy for his retirement but sad to see him go. READ MORE > Leave a Legacy: Planned Gifts by DeVida Johnson, Development Assistant Planned Giving is a great way to give to the Death with Dignity National Center while generating income for yourself. Working with your financial advisor or estate planner, you can set up a charitable gift annuity, a charitable remainder unitrust or annuity trust, or you can designate Death with Dignity National Center as a beneficiary on your life insurance or retirement plan to create a permanent legacy for change. LEAVE YOUR LEGACY TODAY >	In This Issue: Momentum in Vermont Palliative Care Extends Life Happy Retirement, George Leave a Legacy: Planned Gifts DDNC Earns BBB Accreditation The BBB seal allows us to demonstrate to you our commitment to accountability and ethical practices; so, you can feel confident you support a national nonprofit committed to good governance, transparency to our donors, and fiscal responsibility. GIVE FOR TOMORROW'S LAWS > Connect with Friends! Join a community that shares your interest in Death with Dignity! Lately it's seemed everyone is finding their way to some form of social media, be it blogs, Facebook or Twitter to name a few. As more and more people turn to this interactive news medium, we'd like to join the conversation too! I invite you to become part of our community: Living with Dying Facebook Twitter CONNECT NOW! > Make Your Voice Heard: Write for Living with Dying Do you work or volunteer in the Death with Dignity movement or have a vested interest in Death with Dignity laws? Add your voice to our blog and tell your story. LEARN MORE > Forward to a Friend Well crafted Death with Dignity laws work the way they're intended. You and I know that, but do your friends? The best way for us to ensure Death with Dignity is an option for all Americans is to tell to more people our story. Will you help us connect with your friends? SHARE US WITH FRIENDS >
The Dignity Report is the e-newsletter of the Death with Dignity National Center. Flickr photos: Vermont capital by Grant MacDonald, NEJM logo by Corey McPherson Nash Contact the editor at mbarber@deathwithdignity.org

Posted on September 29, 2010

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You are the key to ensuring well-crafted Death with Dignity laws for all Americans. With your financial and volunteer help, the Death with Dignity National Center, a 501(c)(3), non-partisan, non-profit organization, has been the leading advocate in the death with dignity movement. Member contributions helped us pass a new Death with Dignity law in Washington, defend the Oregon law, and provide education and outreach programs for the vitality of the death with dignity movement.

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The greatest human freedom is to live, and die, according to one's own desires and beliefs. From advance directives to physician-assisted dying, death with dignity is a movement to provide options for the dying to control their own end-of-life care.

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