Media Release

Contact: Greg Eddleston - geddleston@dwd.org / (503) 228.4415

Today the Portland-based Oregon Death with Dignity Legal Defense and Education Center (ODWD) joined forces with the Death with Dignity National Center (DDNC) of Washington D.C. 

The consolidated entities will, from this date forward, be known as the Death with Dignity National Center.

This formal association of two end-of-life care non-profits unites more than a decade of public education, healthcare policy, grassroots advocacy and legal defense work under one roof.

Founded in 1993, the mission of Oregon Death with Dignity (formerly Oregon Right to Die) has been to provide education, research and support for the preservation, implementation and promotion of the Oregon Death with Dignity law as a stimulus to nationwide improvements in end-of-life care and as a final option for dying individuals.

One year later, in 1994, the Death with Dignity National Center was established to provide a voice outside of Oregon to advocate for end-of-life choices and the replication of the Oregon law. 

Under a united mission, the consolidated organization will maintain offices in Washington, D.C., and Portland, Oregon, with a Board of Directors drawn equally from among the former-governing officers.

The Oregon Death with Dignity Political Action Fund will retain its name and continue to work through its Federal, State and Issue Political Action Committees to advance the law in explicitly political arenas.

"Oregon's Death with Dignity law has worked flawlessly - bringing peace of mind to terminally ill patients.  The combination of Oregon Death with Dignity with the National Center, creates a bi-coastal powerhouse of advocacy for patient choice," said Eli D. Stutsman, Portland attorney and President of the Oregon Death with Dignity Board of Directors. 

Dr. Timothy Quill, a practicing physician, and member of the DDNC Board of Directors commented, "Many doctors have watched closely the implementation of the Death with Dignity law.  Now, even skeptics understand that by empowering patients, the healthcare system has had to dramatically improve its treatment of the terminally ill. The coming together of DDNC and ODWD is a major step toward sharing the Oregon story and promoting it nationally."

Oregon's law is currently under attack by U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft. The legal case, Oregon v. Ashcroft, awaits a ruling from the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, anticipated by the end of summer.

Later this year, the organization will launch a new website and print campaign. 

Until then, reach us online at www.dwd.org. 
Portland Office: (503) 228.4415
D.C. Office: (202) 969.1669.

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