June Living with Dying Recap
June was full of reflection about who should determine the manner and timing of our deaths and what Death with Dignity means to each of us. With the death of Jack Kevorkian and HBO's broadcast of How to Die in Oregon, I've been impressed with how many different people are talking about death and dying in the media, on blogs, and every facet of social media.

Last month, the US Conference of Catholic Bishops' vote on Death with Dignity spurred many to discuss religion's role in US law. In addition, Death with Dignity Political Action Fund board members David Mayo and Betty Rollin contributed to our blog. Check out these stories and more below and in our Living with Dying archive.

Sincerely,
Melissa Barber
Electronic Communications Specialist
Death with Dignity National Center

Kevorkian Dies at Age 83
by Peg Sandeen, MSW, Executive Director
Every movement needs a lightning rod to spur people to notice and think about the issue at hand. The right to die movement had Jack Kevorkian. Never one to advocate from the shadows, Kevorkian enthusiastically—and at times absurdly—placed himself and his actions in the limelight.

Kevorkian's antics started during a time when a larger cultural discussion about death and dying was gaining momentum: what should end of life care look like and if it's appropriate for an individual to decide how and when to die when faced with a terminal illness. His methods were part of a panoply of responses to protracted dying during the 90s.

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US Conference of Catholic Bishops Vote on Death with Dignity
by Peg Sandeen, MSW, Executive Director
It may seem counterintuitive, but those of us at the Death with Dignity National Center applaud the US Conference of Catholic Bishops vote. We might wholeheartedly disagree with the outcome or the sentiments expressed in the document upon which the vote is being taken, but we support any church taking a stance on moral issues.

After all, the hallmark of Oregon's model Death with Dignity Act is personal choice.

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Laws Should Reflect Diversity of Opinions
by Melissa Barber, Electronic Communications Specialist
You needn't agree with physician-assisted death to support Death with Dignity laws. Most people wouldn't and don't choose this end-of-life option but still advocate for others to be able to make this decision for themselves. If everyone who supported Death with Dignity laws were also adamant they would exercise this option when the time came, we'd expect a large percentage of Oregonians to have hastened their deaths sometime in the last 13 years.

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Book Review: No Good Deed
by David Mayo, PhD, Death with Dignity Political Action Fund board member
Dr. Lew Cohen's book takes as its point of departure the case of two nurses accused by a coworker of conspiring to murder a patient. He documents the ordeals to which they (and several similarly-accused care-givers) are exposed, and elaborates on the personal trauma for all involved. He explores the circumstances which give rise to these unfortunate situations, as well as several of the broader end-of-life care issues—international attitudes on end-of-life care including everything from truth-telling to aggressive palliative care, Oregon-style Death with Dignity policies, and active euthanasia. The book is non-technical, very accessible, and provides real insight into the national controversy over aggressive palliative care for the dying.

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In This Issue:

• Kevorkian Dies at Age 83
• USCCB Vote on Death with Dignity
• Laws Should Reflect Diversity
• Review: No Good Deed

Donors Make the Difference!
Unlike many nonprofits, the Death with Dignity National Center is entirely funded through individual donations and private foundations. Thank you to all of our generous donors for helping us defend and promote Death with Dignity laws!

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Talking About Dying
One of the biggest challenges we face in advocating for an end-of-life option like Death with Dignity is people just don't like to talk about the end of their lives. Last month, however, a dramatic shift in awareness and discussion about Death with Dignity laws began...

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Rollin: Kevorkian's Role
In 1982, when I helped my mother die, Jack Kevorkian wasn't yet on the scene. Within a few years he was, noisily assisting terminally ill people who wanted to die.

My mother was dying of ovarian cancer, but in her view, not fast enough.

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Ethan Remmel, PhD
Dr. Ethan Remmel died at home ten days after teaching his last class and a year after being diagnosed with terminal cancer. He generously blogged about living with a terminal illness and why he requested medication under Washington's Death with Dignity Act. With his permission, we shared part of his blog in our post: "Death with Dignity Isn't Suicide".

He recounted his medical and personal ups and downs with detail and thoughtfulness, including why he ultimately chose to end his life June 13, under terms of Washington's Death With Dignity Act.

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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?

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Images: Jack Kevorkian care of Fordham Law, USCCB from Today's Catholic, Rabbi Anson Laytner care of Xanthus Communications and cover artwork for No Good Deed by Harper Collins Publishers
Contact the editor at mbarber@deathwithdignity.org