Other Organizations
There are several organizations devoted to end-of-life issues. Some groups, like DDNC, are donor-based and national in scope, provide public education and work to establish and defend death with dignity laws in various states. Other groups are member-based with area chapters that provide local resources and referral information. Below is a brief description of the national organizations.
Death with Dignity National Center was formed in 1994 in connection with the development and passage of death with dignity laws, as well as their defense and promotion nationwide. In 2004, DDNC merged with Oregon Death with Dignity, which successfully wrote and passed the landmark Oregon Death with Dignity Act.
Today, DDNC serves as the leader of the national death with dignity movement, with primary activities that include the legal and political defense of the Oregon law — including our recent victory in the U.S. Supreme Court — the law's replication in other states, and national public education programs.
In 1997, a group called the Death with Dignity Alliance was formed to foster collaboration among three national end-of-life groups: DDNC, Compassion in Dying and Oregon Death with Dignity. The collaboration was so successful that the three groups jointly decided to merge into two -- DDNC and Compassion & Choices -- and the Death with Dignity Alliance was deactivated.
In addition, the Hemlock Society, which had changed its name to End of Life Choices, merged with Compassion & Choices in 2005.
Today, Death with Dignity National Center and Compassion & Choices are the two primary, distinct and national organizations focused on end-of-life care issues.
Defend dignity. Take action.
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.
Make a Donation
Your donation helps us continue to advocate for the right of the terminally ill to die with dignity.
Stay Connected
Sign up for the latest news and information about Death with Dignity.
Additional ways to stay in touch: |  |  |  |
About Death with Dignity
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.
Death with Dignity National Center is the leader in this movement, successfully establishing, advancing and defending the landmark Oregon and Washington Death with Dignity Acts.
Political Action Fund
The Death with Dignity National Center partners with the Oregon Death with Dignity Political Action Fund to conduct lobbying and political activities in order to achieve the enactment of Death with Dignity laws in other states.
Learn more about the Oregon Death with Dignity Political Action Fund.
Patients & Families
The Death with Dignity National Center was formed out of a profound commitment to the idea that personal end-of-life decisions should be made solely between a patient and a physician. We are pleased to provide you with support and information as you face the difficult challenges ahead.
Research Center
We have compiled a comprehensive collection of legal briefs, journal articles, and newspaper clippings. We invite you to explore the wide array of information we have collected throughout our history.
© 2012 Death with Dignity National Center. Powered by Mandate Media.
We respect your privacy. Please see our Privacy Policy and Statement of Ethics for more information.
