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| The EOLWA Insider. September 2025 If You Come Softly by Audre Lorde  If you would like to submit a poem/art/news to the newsletter please reach out at kbasis@endoflifewa.org |
 Mark Your Calendar for November 6thEnd of Life Washington’s Annual Virtual Meeting is happening Thursday, November 6, from 5:30–7:00 pm – and you won’t want to miss it! This year, we’re featuring a national guest panel bringing fresh insights, powerful stories, and important conversations. This will take place via Zoom so that as many people can attend as possible. Registration Now Open: Sign Up Here Additional details and more exciting updates are coming your way next month! Special Area Volunteer RecruitmentAt this time, we are only looking for volunteers who reside in or are regularly willing to travel to the following areas: Vancouver, Longview, Castle Rock, Aberdeen, Tacoma, Yakima, Wenatchee, Omak, Walla Walla, Moses Lake, Tri-Cities, Othello. If you’re not in or near one of these locations, we’d love for you to stay connected and check back with us in 2026. Thank you so much for your interest!If you do meet the criteria, we’d be excited for you to apply here. End of Life Ready: An Intro to Advance Planning and your End-of-Life OptionsJoin us for a FREE 75-minute Zoom presentation and question and answer period that will show you how to plan ahead for end-of-life. We will review how to prepare and complete an Advance Directive, how to choose a Health Care Agent if you can’t speak for yourself, and what choices are legal and accessible to die on your terms in Washington State. After attending this session, we hope you’ll feel more comfortable talking to the people you trust with your care about your end-of-life wishes. To register for the upcoming October session, please click here.  People’s Memorial Association’s The After Party!Join People’s Memorial Association at Mini Mart City Park at 6525 Ellis Ave S in the Georgetown neighborhood of Seattle for a celebration of People’s Memorial Association, The Co-op Funeral Home, and our colleagues in the progressive deathcare movement. Learn about the death-positive innovations our industry has seen thanks to the board, staff, volunteers, partners, and members of People’s Memorial, empowering families with choice. This important fundraising event supports PMA’s mission of funeral education and advocacy in Washington State, a leader in sustainable practices like natural organic reduction (“composting”), alkaline hydrolysis, and natural burial. This special evening is bringing together community, creativity, and climate action will feature Memorial’s ecologically-minded partners, including End of Life Washington and our very own, Rebecca Hudson, Client Service Manager! For more information about this event and to register, please click here. |
 Support the Telehealth Modernization Act Take Action Now Telemedicine has become an essential tool in ensuring that patients pursuing medical aid in dying (MAID) can access compassionate care, especially when in-person visits are limited by geography, mobility challenges, or the severity of illness. The flexibilities that currently allow us to provide MAID care via telehealth are set to expire on September 30, 2025. Without congressional action, patients will once again face unnecessary barriers to this important option at the end of life. The Telehealth Modernization Act (S. 2703/H.R. 5081) would help to preserve patients’ (particularly those in rural and underserved areas) ability to connect with hospice and MAID providers virtually. With this deadline approaching, your voice is urgently needed. Please reach out to your congressional representatives and urge them to support the Telehealth Modernization Act and extend telehealth flexibilities for MAID and end-of-life care. Together, we can protect access to choice, dignity, and compassionate care for the patients we serve. Please take action by September 30, 2025 by clicking here. Note: Names and email addresses of ‘your congressional representatives’ will be filled in automatically after you enter your Name, Address, and ZIP code. Another Voice: Medical Aid in Dying Has Been Extensively Reviewed by Kathleen Sweet The New York State Bar Association comes out in support of Medical Aid in Dying, saying “Medical Aid In Dying is not the choice everyone would make, but it is an option everyone should have.” “After studying Medical Aid in Dying for months, receiving testimony from supporters and opponents of the bill, those who have witnessed their loved ones suffering and dying in pain, and professionals experienced with MAID, we concluded that the bill was sound. Many New Yorkers like me have borne witness to a loved one’s unrelenting agony as inevitable death nears and pain relief is elusive. It is a haunting memory that stays with you. Medical Aid In Dying is not the choice everyone would make, but it is an option everyone should have.”To read the full article, click here. Donor Advised Fund (DAF)Donor-Advised Funds (DAFs) are one of the fastest-growing vehicles for charitable giving in the United States, offering donors both flexibility and impact. A DAF is a charitable investment account that allows individuals, families, or organizations to contribute assets, receive an immediate *tax deduction, and then recommend grants to qualified nonprofits over time. The appeal of DAFs lies in their simplicity and strategic benefits. Donors can contribute cash, securities, or other assets, which are invested and grow tax-free, increasing the funds available for future giving. Unlike private foundations, DAFs generally require less administration, lower costs, and provide a higher degree of privacy. They also allow donors to take time in selecting causes they care about while still benefiting from an upfront tax deduction.For nonprofits, DAFs represent an increasingly important funding source. In 2023, grants from DAFs in the U.S. totaled more than $52 billion, according to the National Philanthropic Trust. This steady stream of giving helps organizations diversify revenue and plan for long-term impact.DAFs are shaping modern philanthropy by encouraging more accessible and intentional giving. They empower donors at all levels to engage in long-term charitable strategies while maximizing the impact of their contributions.As the landscape of giving evolves, DAFs will continue to play a pivotal role in bridging donor intent with nonprofit needs, helping to fuel innovation, stability, and generosity across communities.If you are interested in learning more about DAFs and other planned giving opportunities, visit our website or contact our Development and Communications Director, Krista Basis, at kbasis@endoflifewa.org or 206-690-0292.*Always consult with a trusted tax advisor |
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