Death with Dignity

We are a national movement working to pass medical-aid-in-dying laws in the U.S. and improve end-of-life care.
RTs ≠ endorsements. #DWDQuestions

[Death with Dignity @DeathwDignity]

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. https://t.co/kDYGwqXjjN

[Death with Dignity @DeathwDignity]

What do actress Nicole Kidman and Oscar-winning director Chloé Zhao have in common? Aside from the obvious answer of Hollywood, both have also recently expressed interest in becoming death doulas.

As more people seek compassionate, personalized support at the end of life, death doulas are helping individuals navigate the dying process with dignity while providing much-needed support to caregivers.

Public interest in the field has grown rapidly in recent years, reflecting a broader shift toward more open conversations about death and dying. In our latest blog, Death with Dignity Digital Campaign Manager Emma Granquist Houghton explores why death doulas are gaining attention, what they do, and what she learned firsthand during a death doula training program.

Read more about death doulas in our blog: https://t.co/G3DBX7q5iN

[Death with Dignity @DeathwDignity]

“From the beginning of his diagnosis, Scott has been clear about one thing: His quality of life matters most.”

When Scott was diagnosed with ALS at 38, he and Laura were raising a toddler and expecting their second child. Today, ALS has taken away his ability to walk and much of his independence — but it hasn’t changed what matters most to him: being present for his family and living fully for as long as possible.

Laura and Scott continue to raise awareness for Death with Dignity and share their story in The Boston Globe, so lawmakers in Massachusetts can understand why he wants this peaceful option for himself. That option is not yet available in Massachusetts.

Read Laura’s powerful Boston Globe op-ed about why their family is advocating for the End of Life Options Act: https://t.co/k2NRr6F2pR

#DeathWithDignity #BostonGlobe #EndOfLifeCare #DignityInDying

[Death with Dignity @DeathwDignity]

“For many people, death can feel unfamiliar, even overwhelming, not because they are incapable of facing it, but because our culture often avoids it.”

Raised in an Irish Catholic family where death was treated as a natural part of life, Catherine learned early on the importance of showing up for people in times of grief, uncertainty, and loss.

Through hospice volunteering and years of supporting dying people and their loved ones, she became a death doula and has seen firsthand how important it is for people to understand all of their end-of-life options and make decisions that reflect their values.

But in Illinois, medical aid in dying was not available for many of the people she served.

Today, she is sharing her story and why the implementation of Illinois' End-of-Life Options Act this September gives her hope for a future with greater autonomy, freedom, and choice at the end of life.

Read her story: https://t.co/SYqV4CuGj2

#DeathWithDignity #EndOfLifeCare #MedicalAidInDying

[Death with Dignity @DeathwDignity]

"My mom understood her prognosis. She understood her options. And she made her wishes known."

Dr. Susan Kun Leddy was a nurse educator who spent her life caring for others. Yet when she faced terminal cancer, she was denied the end-of-life choice she wanted.

Her daughter Erin shares her story: https://t.co/zNfE2NroLU

[Death with Dignity @DeathwDignity]

Today, we’re celebrating 13 years of Vermont’s Patient Choice and Control at End of Life Act. We’re deeply grateful to the advocates who fought to make this law possible and to the physicians who continue to provide compassionate end-of-life care and choice to terminally ill Vermonters.

On May 20, 2013 at the bill signing, Governor Peter Shumlin said, “Vermonters who face terminal illness and are in excruciating pain at the end of their lives now have control over their destinies. This is the right thing to do.”

Has this law shaped the end-of-life experience for you or someone you love? We’d be honored to hear your story. https://t.co/MzeHxsLOgJ

#deathwithdignity #endoflifeoptions #medicalaidindying

[Death with Dignity @DeathwDignity]

Supporting someone through grief is something many of us will experience at some point in our lives. In an effort to comfort those we love, we often turn to phrases like “you’re so strong.” In a recent blog post by our MSW intern Colin Mosgrove, he explores how these well-intentioned words can sometimes feel unhelpful or distancing.

Drawing from his personal experiences with loss and his time at Death with Dignity, Colin reflects on one of the most meaningful ways to support someone through grief: simply being present.

Read Colin’s blog to learn what being present looks like and you can offer comfort to someone you love: https://t.co/HXZDnXoWeb

#deathwithdignity #medicalaidindying #grief

[Death with Dignity @DeathwDignity]

“When we left that appointment, nothing was simple anymore. We were carrying grief, but also something unexpected: relief. For the first time since his diagnosis, there was a way for my father to avoid a prolonged, devastating decline.”

When doctors told Jim he likely had less than a year to live after his ALS diagnosis, he calmly asked, “What about the end-of-life option?” He understood what the disease would eventually bring, and he wanted the ability to avoid unnecessary suffering.

In 2022, Jim decided to pursue medical aid in dying under California’s End of Life Option Act. By then, the disease had already taken so much from him: his strength, his ability to eat normally, and the future he had imagined for himself.

On July 9, 2022, surrounded by family at home, Jim died peacefully through medical aid in dying. There was no fear, chaos, or emergency in his final moments. Only peace, love, and the comfort of knowing he was able to make this decision for himself.

ALS ended Jim’s life. California’s law allowed him to decide how that life would end.

Read Jim’s story and learn why protecting end-of-life options matters so deeply to families across the U.S. https://t.co/b40OxIokoQ

[Death with Dignity @DeathwDignity]

For the first time since 2018, Ohio has introduced the Medical Aid in Dying Act (HB835). Representative Eric Synenberg introduced this legislation during his press conference — a major step forward after years of advocacy to bring an aid-in-dying law to the Buckeye State.

Alongside him, our Board President, Lisa Vigil Schattinger, Shara Baumgartel of Marietta, Jim O’Neil of Waterville, and Michael Oser of Columbus shared deeply personal stories that underscored why the time to pass HB835 is now.

Read more about why Ohioans are passionate about passing medical aid in dying, and how you can support their efforts here: https://t.co/YZhxNu2wQL

#deathwithdignity #endoflifeoptions #medicalaidindying

[Death with Dignity @DeathwDignity]

“Chuck didn’t want to die the way he did. He wanted what so many terminally ill people want: the comfort of knowing that when suffering became too much, he could choose a gentle, peaceful end.”

After living with ALS for seven years, Chuck made the difficult decision to stop eating and drinking to end his life because medical aid in dying was not available to him in Massachusetts, and he was too ill to travel to another state where it was legal.

Chuck was fiercely independent, thoughtful, and clear about what he wanted at the end of his life. ALS took his speech, mobility, and independence—but never his ability to make decisions about his own body and future.

His death took more than ten days.

His wife, Terry, shares their story because no family should be forced to endure unnecessary suffering at the end of life.

Read Chuck’s story and learn why this fight is so personal for families in Massachusetts and across the U.S. https://t.co/VORYFxumYM

[Death with Dignity @DeathwDignity]

With Mother’s Day coming up, we’re honoring three mothers from three different states, each with the same end-of-life wish, and three different outcomes.

We know this time of year around Mother’s Day can bring a mix of emotions—joy, grief, gratitude, and longing for some of you. However you’re holding that space, we want you to know you’re not alone. We’re thinking of you too. ❤️

Read our Mother’s Day reflection: https://t.co/5c5AnXPiku #MothersDay #EndOfLifeCare #HonoringMothers #RememberingMoms

[Death with Dignity @DeathwDignity]

Mid-session update: New Jersey’s S710, an amendment to the Aid in Dying for the Terminally Ill Act, is still in the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee.

The amendment would waive the 15-day waiting period for patients who are not expected to survive the 15 days.

We need YOUR HELP to make sure New Jersey legislators give this bill a public hearing!

Share this post with your New Jersey community to grow support for medical aid in dying, urging them to write to their legislators today! https://t.co/IFlAPN0qus
#deathwithdignity #endoflifeoptions #medicalaidindying

[Death with Dignity @DeathwDignity]

“Grandpa Chet isn’t here to fight this battle, but I am. I am asking my fellow Ohioans and our state legislators to look at the faces of their own loved ones and ask: If they were in agony, would you want to tell them your hands are tied? Or would you want to allow them this option that gives them the peace they’ve earned?”

Shara Baumgartel is one of the many advocates from Ohio, who shared personal testimonies last week in support of Ohio’s Medical Aid in Dying Act. Elevating the voice of her Grandpa Chet, an 88-year old man from Southeast Ohio, Shara’s Op-Ed comes from a place of love and support of her Grandpa’s final wish — to bring medical aid in dying to Ohio.

A powerful 2 min read, we encourage you to read Shara’s Op-Ed:
https://t.co/NOmcYOjEFL

#MedicalAidInDying #EndOfLifeCare #DignityInDying #PatientRights

[Death with Dignity @DeathwDignity]

Mid-session update: Pennsylvania’s Compassionate Aid in Dying Act (HB1109/SB570) is still in the House and Senate Judiciary Committees.

We need YOUR HELP to make sure Pennsylvania legislators give this bill a public hearing!

Share this post with your Pennsylvania community to grow support for medical aid in dying, urging them to write to their legislators today! https://t.co/qMLDOwUojT

#deathwithdignity #endoflifeoptions #medicalaidindying

[Death with Dignity @DeathwDignity]

For decades, Sean has supported families through end-of-life care and has seen how much choice matters. In Colorado, Death with Dignity brings peace—but it’s under threat. Read her story and help protect Death with Dignity https://t.co/wHpFjO36ls

#DeathWithDignity #EndOfLifeCare #PalliativeCare #ColoradoCare

[Death with Dignity @DeathwDignity]

Shortly after Governor Hochul signed New York’s medical-aid-in-dying law, our Death with Dignity CEO, Peg Sandeen, joined hosts Jorge Ramos and Paola Ramos on their podcast The Moment.

Read our blog to learn more about their thoughtful conversation about how the law works, the deeply personal decisions patients choose to make, and the complex feelings of confronting the end of life: https://t.co/VyriNs5Zm1

#deathwithdignity #endoflifeoptions #medicalaidindying

[Death with Dignity @DeathwDignity]

Advocates Laura and Scott are fighting for Death with Dignity in Massachusetts. Read their story—a relationship of travel, adventure, and love in the face of an ALS diagnosis—to learn more about why they advocate for Death with Dignity. https://t.co/lLLbprzJWb #DeathWithDignity #ALSAwareness #EndOfLifeCare #DignityInDying

[Death with Dignity @DeathwDignity]

Michigan introduced the Death with Dignity Act (HB5825), a bill that would legalize Death with Dignity. It has already been referred to the House Committee on Government Operations. Now we need YOUR help to make sure the committee supports the bill!

Share this post to make sure Michiganders know to write to the committee today! https://t.co/0ykslQVApo

#deathwithdignity #endoflifeoptions #medicalaidindying

[Death with Dignity @DeathwDignity]

Ohio introduced the Ohio Medical Aid in Dying Act, a bill that would legalize Death with Dignity. Now we need YOUR help to ensure Ohioans are raising their voices about this bill.

Share this post so Ohioans can share their stories today! https://t.co/MzeHxsLOgJ

#deathwithdignity #endoflifeoptions #medicalaidindying #2026legislativesession

[Death with Dignity @DeathwDignity]

Ohio State Representative Eric Synenberg (District 21-Beachwood) is holding a press conference with our partner, Ohio End of Life Options, to announce the introduction of the Ohio Medical Aid in Dying Act!

JOIN US as we listen to the bill sponsor discuss the bill in real time. This is your chance to learn about the first medical-aid-in-dying bill to be introduced in Ohio since 2018: https://t.co/OteMPbL4d8

[Death with Dignity @DeathwDignity]

Gavel in! North Carolina’s session starts today, and H410, legislation that would direct the North Carolina Institute of Medicine to conduct a study on medical aid in dying, has carried over into the new session.

H410 is now in the House Rules, Calendar, and Operations Committee, and we need YOUR HELP to make sure North Carolina legislators send this bill to a committee where it can receive a public hearing!

Share this post with your North Carolina community to grow support for medical aid in dying, urging them to write to their legislators today! https://t.co/8OyueqkYMw #deathwithdignity #endoflifeoptions #medicalaidindying