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All posts tagged with “General News | Right-to-Die News.”
Utah man angry: "Why am I still alive?"
05/13/24 at 02:45 AMUtah man angry: "Why am I still alive?" Cat Country 107.3/94.9; by Andy Griffin; 5/10/24 George Ball (not his real name) is angry. He's dying soon, he knows that. But what he's really mad about is that he's still alive. "I signed the paper. I made the request," he said. "So, why am I still alive?" ... The 72-year-old Utahn recently had a heart attack (cardiac arrest), and was essentially dead for a few minutes before being resuscitated at a Utah hospital. Life-saving measures were taken, including shooting adrenaline into his heart. He was gone, but they brought him back. Happy ending, right? The only problem was, Ball had signed and certified a DNR -- a do not resuscitate order -- so that if he, well, died, heroic measures would not be taken to bring him back to life. ...
Pro-life hospice group launches ‘Do Not Euthanize’ Registry to protect Canadians patients
05/07/24 at 02:00 AMPro-life hospice group launches ‘Do Not Euthanize’ Registry to protect Canadians patients InfoWars / LifeSiteNews; by Anthony Murdoch; 5/6/24 One of Canada’s only fully pro-life hospices, the Delta Hospice Society (DHS), has launched a new Do Not Euthanize (DNE) National Registry that it says will help “defend” vulnerable citizens’ lives from “premature death by euthanasia.” Angelina Ireland, executive director of the DHS, told LifeSiteNews that the new DNE National Registry is live as of May 1, 2024, with the goal being to have everyone who has already signed, or will sign, a DNE, added to the registry.
New documentary explores how Lower Moreland’s Terri Schiavo’s story captured the nation
04/08/24 at 03:00 AMNew documentary explores how Lower Moreland’s Terri Schiavo’s story captured the nation Delco.Today, by Tracey Romero; 4/3/24 Between Life & Death: Terri Schiavo’s Story, a new documentary about the right-to-die case of Lower Moreland Township native Terri Schiavo is streaming on Peacock, writes Brian Brant for People. Schiavo who lived in Florida with her husband lived in a persistent vegetative state for 15 years after experiencing cardiac arrest. The documentary explores the familial legal battle over whether or not Schiavo’s feeding tube should be removed.
Dr. Kevorkian was convicted of murder 25 years ago today: Examining the mixed legacy of a fighter for patient autonomy
03/27/24 at 03:00 AMDr. Kevorkian was convicted of murder 25 years ago today: Examining the mixed legacy of a fighter for patient autonomy Reason, by Jeffrey A. Singer; 3/26/24Today marks the 25th anniversary of Dr. Jack Kevorkian's conviction of second-degree murder for performing euthanasia on Thomas Youk, a Michigan man suffering from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or Lou Gehrig's Disease. ... Kevorkian, a medical pathologist, had been defying state laws by engaging in assisted suicide—he claimed to help more than 130 people die— often using machines. But this was different. Kevorkian was not assisting a suicide. Kevorkian videotaped himself injecting Youk with lethal chemicals. He was doing all the work. And despite having received Youk's informed consent, the Michigan Court considered it murder. ... Today, physician-assisted suicide is legal in 11 jurisdictions: California, Colorado, the District of Columbia, Hawaii, Montana, Maine, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Vermont, and Washington. ... Autonomous adults have the right to govern their bodies freely, provided they respect the equal rights of others. ... Active and passive euthanasia are grim exercises for physicians like me who decided to become doctors because we wanted to save lives. ... Editor's Note: Read more from this article that provides significant contexts for today's conflicts: historical, legal, medical, ethical, and geographical (USA and international) .
PERSPECTIVE: Nurses, too, must do no harm
02/27/24 at 03:00 AMPERSPECTIVE: Nurses, too, must do no harmColorado Springs Gazette, by Kathryn Palermo; 2/25/24Two decades ago, our family faced an experience that would forever shape my perspective on life, choices, and the importance of time in making profound decisions. ... Reflecting on this experience, I cannot help but draw parallels to the potential consequences of the changes proposed by the Legislature to expand physician-assisted death. In our case, time was a crucial factor in making informed decisions that preserved life and allowed for unexpected recovery. As a nursing professional and a family member who experienced a life-altering event, I am opposed to the newly introduced “Medical Aid-in-Dying” bill in the Colorado Senate, SB24-0068, expanding physician-assisted suicide.Editor's Note: The views expressed are those of the author. Hospice & Palliative Care Today seeks to present articles of highest integrity and quality information, especially when reporting on controversial issues. This author presents these expertly from her perspective. While this author defines "the" Christian perspective, this editor supports that hospice and palliative care leaders and patients/families embrace a broader scope of religious beliefs, both within Christianity and inclusive of non-Christian faith systems. Whatever the reader's perspective, this editor invites you to read this insightful article with an open mind of respect, learning, and ethical dialogue.Publisher's note: On 1/31/24, Hospice & Palliative Care Today ran a Denver Post article announcing and supporting SB24-0068. Today's article from the Colorado Springs Gazette opposes this bill.
Death with dignity: States expanding end-of-life options despite controversies
02/19/24 at 03:00 AMDeath with dignity: States expanding end-of-life options despite controversiesBNN, by Safak Costu; 2/14/24In the ongoing debate about the right to die, states like Colorado and Hawaii face challenges implementing 'death with dignity' laws. Catholic opposition and ethical concerns persist, yet efforts to expand continue.
I Promised My Sister I Would Write About How She Chose to Die
12/30/23 at 03:11 AMI Promised My Sister I Would Write About How She Chose to DieBy Steven Petrow, Guest ColumnistNew York TimesDecember 28, 2023On the day before my sister Julie died, I lay down on her bed and held her gingerly in my arms, afraid that any pressure would hurt her. She had lost so much weight that she looked like a stick figure I might have drawn when we were kids.
New York’s Legislature should show love, compassion by passing Medical Aid in Dying Act
12/21/23 at 03:12 AMNew York’s Legislature should show love, compassion by passing Medical Aid in Dying ActBy Rena SchwartzbaumWestchester (NY) NewsDecember 19, 2023My mother, Lillian, 88, was a Holocaust survivor and a life-long fighter. She lived through Hitler, Stalin, diphtheria, a displaced person’s camp, the loss of her husband of 58 years and one cancer diagnosis. It was her second cancer—a very rare angiosarcoma that was the result of the radiation treatment for her first cancer—that proved too much for her. After many weeks of painful symptoms, deteriorating health, and unsuccessful treatment, she told us she was tired of fighting. She begged my brother and me to help her die. I started to research what was possible and found we could not honor her last wish in the state she had called home for more than sixty years.
A plea before dying—on behalf of those who might need it
12/21/23 at 03:07 AMA plea before dying—on behalf of those who might need itBy Burt RiskedahlTwin Cities Pioneer PressDecember 19, 2023I am so grateful for many of the important legislative bills approved in the 2023 session of the Minnesota Legislature, particularly those that protect reproductive health rights, ensure LGBTQ access to needed care and treatment, and provide significant funding for increased access to education. ... Regretfully, the Legislature failed to enact another important measure, the Minnesota End-of-Life Options Act, that would have also provided important rights to people.
Terminally ill N.Y.ers deserve a peaceful death
12/19/23 at 03:35 AMTerminally ill N.Y.ers deserve a peaceful deathBy Jules Netherland, PhDNew York Daily NewsDecember 17, 2023At the height of the 2019 holiday season—on Christmas Eve—I received news no one wants to hear. My oncologist informed me that the lump I had found in my right breast was Stage 3 cancer, which had spread into the surrounding lymph nodes. [Click on the link above to read this author's personal story.] Enough is enough, Albany. All we’re asking for is the option to make an informed and deeply personal decision. Show me and all New Yorkers some love and let us have the option of a peaceful death on our own terms. Pass the Medical Aid in Dying Act now.
How medical aid in dying is bringing autonomy to end-of-life decisions
12/16/23 at 03:32 AMHow medical aid in dying is bringing autonomy to end-of-life decisionsPodcast: 1AHost: Lauren HamiltonWAMU-FM (Washington, DC)/NPRDecember 12, 2023As the American population gets older, people begin to plan for what the end of their lives will look like. It’s a conversation we explored on 1A earlier this year as a part of our ongoing coverage of aging in the United States. And during that conversation, you had a lot of questions for us. ... Since the end of Roe, the debate around bodily autonomy has grown increasingly contentious.
Phones ‘connected to nothing but love’ donated to Westport Library
12/15/23 at 03:28 AMPhones ‘connected to nothing but love’ donated to Westport LibraryWestport (CT) JournalDecember 13, 2023Westport, CT—Lynda Shannon Bluestein is nearing the end of her life. In January, the 76-year-old will travel to Vermont where, surrounded by family, she will end the suffering she has experienced from three bouts of cancer in a state where aid-in-dying is permitted. Bluestein, however, first had to sue the state of Vermont, winning her case in June, to allow a non-resident to end her life there. On Wednesday, she plans to give the Westport Library a gift that may help others, especially children, express and process grief when they lose a loved one. Bluestein will donate two “wind phones”—rotary-dial phones that are not connected to anything—that people of all ages can use to speak about their loss and memories of a loved one who has passed away.