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A new month and new updates. This week, we’re sharing the most effective ways to connect with your legislator, celebrating exciting legislative news, and honoring Death with Dignity advocate Angela’s mom—whose boundless generosity continues to inspire us. By using California’s Death with Dignity law, she was able to face the end of life on her own terms, with peace and control.
DYING TO LEARN MORE
This summer, we launched a new segment inviting you to share your questions about end-of-life issues. Thank you to everyone who submitted thoughtful questions! This week, many of you asked about how to engage with your legislators.
How should I contact my legislators about Death with Dignity?
While many state legislatures are not currently in session, now is actually one of the best times to connect with your lawmakers and encourage them to sponsor a medical aid in dying bill next session. Reaching out during this quieter period helps ensure your voice will stand out. Here are two powerful ways to make an impact:
- Write to your legislatorA heartfelt letter or email can be one of the most effective forms of advocacy. Share what having a Death with Dignity law in your state would mean to you—and why it matters. You might draw from your own experience, whether you’ve cared for a loved one who wanted this option or want the choice for yourself someday. Personal stories resonate deeply with lawmakers. You can find your legislator’s contact information here.
- Meet with your legislatorNothing is more persuasive than a face-to-face conversation. Sitting down with your legislator to share your story makes the issue real and unforgettable. Even if you didn’t vote for them, as your representative, they work for you and have a responsibility to hear your concerns. If you’ve never met with a lawmaker before, don’t worry, our resource guide can help you prepare for a meaningful and productive meeting.
You asked, we heard
Send us your questions by filling out this form—we’ll continue to answer them in our ongoing series!
LEGISLATIVE NEWS:
Big news from California! SB403, an amendment to California’s End of Life Option Act that removes the 2031 expiration date, has passed the Assembly and is now on Governor Gavin Newsom’s desk.
With his signature, California’s End of Life Option Act would become permanent, ensuring that terminally ill patients will continue to have the option of Death with Dignity.
This final step depends on us. We ALL have a role to play in protecting California’s law. Please share this pre-written letter to Governor Gavin Newsom with your California community so we can secure Death with Dignity as a lasting option in the Golden State.
NEW ON OUR BLOG:
“Choosing Death with Dignity was, for her, an act of love: a way to spare us the helplessness of watching her suffer and to honor the life she cherished so deeply.”
Angela’s mom, Annette, had a generosity that knew no bounds. She shared beauty—earrings, scarves, lipstick—with friends, neighbors, and even strangers. Giving was who she was, a reflection of her kindness and desire to brighten the world around her.
Supporting her through the Death with Dignity process transformed Angela. After her mom died, she made a video to honor her, celebrating the values she lived by, to share her story. In the spirit of a daughter’s love, we invite you to read her story and watch the video she made about her mother’s death.
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