Compassion & Choices

After more than a decade of work, we are thrilled to say that medical aid in dying is signed into law in New York, expanding end-of-life care options for terminally ill New Yorkers and affirming their right to make informed, compassionate decisions at the end of life. https://ow.ly/7ik050Ya7in

After more than a decade of work, we are thrilled to say that medical aid in dying is signed into law in New York, expanding end-of-life care options for terminally ill New Yorkers and affirming their right to make informed, compassionate decisions at the end of life. https://ow.ly/7ik050Ya7in

Learn more about our latest intervention to protect end-of-life healthcare and autonomy. https://ow.ly/3Jw150Y8jou

After a Decade of Advocacy, Medical Aid in Dying Is On the Precipice of Becoming Law in New York - Compassion & Choices Governor Kathy Hochul’s announcement today, that she intends to sign the Medical Aid in Dying Act (A.136/S.138) – subject to chapter amendments – next month, will make New York the 14th U.S. jurisdiction to authorize this compassionate end-of-life option. Medical aid in dying allows eligible terminally ill adults to seek…

We continue to await Gov. Hochul's signature to authorize medical aid in dying for terminally ill New Yorkers. In the meantime, we invite you to read this blog about the decade-long road to actualizing medical aid in dying in the state. https://ow.ly/1sua50Y40n4

Get the care you want: Partnering with your doctor - Compassion & Choices

Partnering with your doctor means engaging in conversations to help you understand your unique medical situation and for your doctor to better understand you: your values, perspectives, priorities, and wishes. Learn more with our Partnering With Your Doctor resource.

New Orleans group shows how to care for dying loved ones Demand for home health care, including at-home hospice care, has skyrocketed since the pandemic. A New Orleans nonprofit is training people how to provide end-of-life care for dying relatives and community members.

Compassion & Choices’ own Osha Towers reminds us why this work matters so much:

“What we know we can do right now is be able to just show up for all individuals to make sure that they know what they need to be prepared for.”

💛 Read the story: https://ow.ly/MyCp50XFKCQ

Compassion Legal continues to monitor threats to medical aid-in-dying laws in authorized states. A lawsuit aimed at temporarily blocking DE's law is the third lawsuit of its kind, and we anticipate more challenges to laws in the future. Learn more: https://candc.link/de-lawsuit-dismissal

From our team to you and yours: Happy Holidays, and thank you for a historic year made possible by supporters like you.

The path is clearing for terminally ill New Yorkers to access #MedicalAidinDying.

Thank you, Governor Kathy Hochul, Assemblywoman Amy Paulin & Senator Brad Hoylman for your commitment. We look forward to continuing to work together to preserve bodily autonomy and options to end suffering.

Podcast #218: Dementia: Dispelling Myths and Gaining Information – Jessica Empeño, National Director of Clinical Engagement and Education for Compassion and Choices - Best Life Best Death This episode is chock-full of important information about a topic that affects so many. What is dementia? What symptoms might it include? Why does it matter to test for dementia? What is a “dementia advance directive”? What are the needs of caregivers? How can support groups help? Jessica Empeño is the National Director of Clinical […]

Proud to see our own Jessica Empeño featured on the Best Life Best Death podcast!

She explores what dementia is, why testing matters, how a dementia advance directive works, and the essential needs of caregivers and support systems.

Listen here:
https://ow.ly/cOlJ50XHxRb

Remembering legendary activist and trans elder Miss Major 🩵

Her wide-ranging work included HIV/AIDS care, community support networks, and launching San Francisco’s first mobile needle exchange.

May her vision and intergenerational, intersectional approach continue to inspire us.

When Susan Hatch’s husband, Teddy, was resuscitated against his explicit wishes, it showed how fragile patients’ rights can be.

She’s speaking out so no family has to endure what hers did and to ensure advance directives are followed.

Read Susan’s story:
https://ow.ly/2pZt50XxzBx

🥳We did it, Illinois! Governor Pritzker just signed The Illinois End-of-Life Options for Terminally Ill Patients Act (SB 1950), aka Deb’s Law, into law! ✍️

This makes Illinois the 13th U.S. jurisdiction to affirm the rights of terminally ill adults to die peacefully on their own terms.

Looking Ahead: 2026 Legislative and Federal Preview Webinar - Compassion & Choices Compassion & Choices’ Medical Aid-in-Dying Action Center recently hosted our 2026 legislative session and federal preview webinar, offering supporters an inside look at the movement’s priorities for the year ahead. President & CEO Kevin Díaz opened the program with a message of determination amid an unpredictable political climate, reminding attendees…

We recently hosted our 2026 legislative + federal preview webinar, giving supporters an inside look at what’s ahead for the medical aid-in-dying movement.

2025 brought historic progress and the momentum continues in 2026.

Read the full update:
🔗 https://ow.ly/LGV050XvMp2

As the year ends, we’re committed to ensuring everyone gets the end-of-life healthcare they want. Until Dec 31, every online gift will be matched 200% thanks to an anonymous donor! candc.link/hope

For #GivingTuesday, we’re sharing a moving story about choice, love, and dignity at the end of life.

Her words offer a powerful reminder of why compassionate options matter.

https://ow.ly/XLYi50XvMbF

How to talk about end of life: lessons from the Indian American Impact Summit - Compassion & Choices At the 2025 Indian American Impact Summit, Jaspreet Chowdhary, Senior Legislative Counsel at Compassion & Choices joined a panel exploring cross-generational leadership, caregiving, and how South Asians are showing up at every age to mobilize and care for their communities. Within that wider discussion, Compassion & Choices contributed a practical…

At the Indian American Impact Summit, Compassion & Choices joined a conversation about how to talk about end of life with love, honesty, and respect across generations.

Read how to start these meaningful conversations:
https://ow.ly/aVK450XrGw3

#EndOfLifePlanning

A new victory — and a promise fulfilled - Compassion & Choices By Dan Diaz When my wife, Brittany Maynard, died in 2014, only four states had authorized medical aid in dying. We had to leave our home in California for Oregon so that Brittany could experience a gentle death rather than endure the horrific fate dictated by an aggressive brain tumor. …

A promise kept. 💜

Last month, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed SB 403, making California’s End of Life Option Act permanent, fulfilling the promise Dan Diaz made to his late wife, Brittany Maynard.

Her story sparked a nationwide movement for compassionate end-of-life options.
🔗 https://ow.ly/V3Nb50Xmm5P

Serving in the In-Between: Death Doulas Holding LGBTQ+ Legacy Meet David Copeland, a death doula who serves the LGBTQ+ community with compassion and dedication. From his family's roots as sharecroppers in Selma, Alabama...

We all deserve to be honored, in life & in death.

On #TransDayOfRemembrance, we mourn the trans lives lost too soon and honor the strength and resilience of the trans community.

Hear death doula David Copeland reflect on these realities and his work with LGBTQ+ people. https://ow.ly/zyVb50Xu19e

Nancy Uden - Compassion & Choices Nancy Uden shared her story in October of 2023. I had a car accident on November 30, 2022, caused by a seizure that was later attributed to a benign brain tumor. A second opinion diagnosis from Mayo Clinic in January 2023 was a glioblastoma multiforme — brain cancer. I sought…

Nancy Uden lived with courage and conviction, advocating for medical aid in dying even as she faced an incurable brain cancer.

“We all deserve autonomy - the right to make our own decisions about life and death.”

Read Nancy’s story: https://ow.ly/WI7I50XrGos

#EndOfLifeChoices

Your Friendly Neighborhood Notary - Compassion & Choices By Steph Routh When I became a notary public a few years ago, I didn’t appreciate at the time what a meaningful journey I was embarking on. I just thought I’d be able to help some neighbors and friends complete paperwork they suddenly needed to take care of or had…

💛 “Each document is a portrait of a life changed, a life honored, a future planned.”

Steph Routh shares how becoming a notary public opened unexpected doors to connection and community, especially when helping people complete advance directives.

Read her heartfelt story: https://ow.ly/3tpO50XqEU6

How Dr. Paulina Sosa-Quintanilla is sparking end-of-life conversations - Compassion & Choices Two weeks before my grandmother passed, she told me, “Paulina, whenever I’m not here anymore, I want you to know I love you, and that will never change.” It was like she had an inkling that her time was near.   But when she died a few weeks later, my family…

Dr. Paulina Sosa-Quintanilla is helping Latino families turn grief into action.
Through Latinx Voces and her partnership with Compassion & Choices, she’s creating safe spaces for culturally sensitive end-of-life conversations - one platica at a time.

Learn more:
🔗 https://ow.ly/Rmnq50XmlT6

Giving Tuesday - Compassion & Choices

This Giving Tuesday, our theme says it all: Your wishes. Our mission.

We’re working for a future where everyone can make their own end-of-life decisions.

Every donation made to Compassion & Choices will be matched 100%. https://ow.ly/FsLI50XrGCg

#GivingTuesday

Compassion Legal files new lawsuit challenging pregnancy exclusion in Michigan - Compassion & Choices As an emergency medical physician, Dr. Viktoria Koskenoja has seen firsthand how life can change in an instant. She also knows how protracted the dying process can be.  This gave her good reason to complete an advance directive after giving birth to her first child: Having witnessed her own mother’s…

Everyone deserves the right to make their own end-of-life decisions.

Michigan’s “pregnancy exclusion” denies that right. Compassion Legal is challenging this unconstitutional law to protect patient autonomy and equality.

Read more about the new lawsuit: https://ow.ly/nbQh50XmlBN

#EndOfLifeCare

Gov. JB Pritzker mulling bill passed by lawmakers to make Illinois a 'right-to-die' state The polarizing legislation that narrowly passed the Illinois General Assembly would allow adults diagnosed with six months or less to live to be prescribed medication to end their own lives.

Gov. Pritzker has a chance to bring compassion to the end of life in Illinois.

By signing the End-of-Life Options Act, he can honor advocates like Deb Robertson, who’ve fought to give terminally ill people the choice to die on their own terms.

https://ow.ly/nAPr50XnaGU

Still thinking about enrolling in our Advance Care Planning (ACP) Certificate Program?

This continuing education program is designed to increase your competence and confidence facilitating conversations about ACP!

Save your spot today!
https://ow.ly/1nzA50Xkki1

Weight Stigma at the End of Life: A Conversation with Death Doula Isabella Carr Isabella Carr, M.Div., is the founder of Deathfat Doula and served as Compassion & Choices’ 2024–2025 Engagement Fellow. In this powerful interview, she high...

An interview with Isabella Carr, M.Div., founder of Deathfat Doula.

She shares how weight stigma shapes end-of-life experiences, the importance of fat liberation in death care, and how we can all plan for care that honors every body.

Watch now: https://ow.ly/ItSW50XeVVZ

What we know about why Alzheimer’s disproportionately affects women - Compassion & Choices Of the over 7 million Americans estimated to have Alzheimer's disease, nearly two-thirds are people assigned female at birth (AFAB). In fact, women over the age of 60 are twice as likely to develop Alzheimer's as breast cancer. Yet it is often not discussed as a women's health issue, or…

Women make up almost 2/3 of Americans living with Alzheimer’s yet it’s rarely seen as a women’s health issue.

A new JAMA study explores why, pointing to biological, hormonal & social factors that put women at greater risk.

🧠 Learn more: https://ow.ly/NolS50XgOPT
#Alzheimers #WomensHealth

We are thrilled to share that the Illinois End of Life Options for Terminally Ill Patients Act has passed the state senate and is now on the way to @govpritzker ’s desk to be signed into law.

5 tips to make sure your digital life reflects your end-of-life wishes - Compassion & Choices Your online life is part of your legacy. Without clear direction, loved ones may face account lockouts, lost memories, or legal hurdles at a time of confusion and grief when clarity and compassion matter most. Taking time to organize your digital assets helps ensure your values are honored and your…

Your online life is part of your legacy.

Our blog shares five practical steps to help ensure your loved ones can access your photos, accounts, and memories when you’re gone.

Plan with compassion.

Read more: https://ow.ly/vUjz50XbfsT