Share Your Story: Influence Legislation Today

Mandi Zucker

February 5, 2025

Live How You Like, Leave How You Like

A Template to Show your Support

We recently received this moving letter from a generous donor. I wanted to share it with you in hopes that you will also share it with your legislators, or use it as a template to write your own letter. For a list of your legislators, click here. And if you are moved to support us in our efforts to pass Medical Aid in Dying (A. 136/S. 138) in NY in 2025, please join Mr. Alpern in making a generous gift to End of Life Choices New York by clicking here.

To whom it may concern;

I am writing in support of current legislation in New York State that legalizes medical aid in dying. I hope I can convince you to support this legislation wholeheartedly and take an active role in convincing your fellow legislators.

Most letters in support of this legislation tell the story of some loved one who is suffering with an incurable and painful illness, and I too know such a person. But I doubt that the current proposed legislation will be passed and put into effect quickly enough to help that person, my father. So, instead, I am writing this for both myself and for you.

I am quite well. I’m 67 years old and while I could stand to lose a few pounds, I have no problem getting around, lifting and carrying packages, gardening etc. etc. But, at the same time, I am clear that these happy days of my early senior citizenship are numbered. In the same way that I was 19 yesterday and suddenly 67 today, wondering where the time went, before I know it, I’ll be well into my 70’s and then 80’s. One never knows when our bodies will begin to betray us. For most healthy people, the changes in our bodies sneak up on us. It might start with sore knees or a diagnosis of high cholesterol. Whatever the downward course any individual follows, if one lives past 90 it seems that too many things start breaking down. If one is lucky, they suffer the indignities of advanced old age while still having all their marbles. (Pity the person who can’t remember their own child). At some point, like it or not, expect it or not, true suffering begins. Often it is some form of cancer that renders a person unable to get out of bed by themselves, feed themselves, bathe themselves, change their adult diaper. Nowadays, people can be kept alive with all sorts of medical interventions.

So, I write this letter for myself and, yes, for you too. Do you want to be that person in a tired old body that is suffering and clearly dying but just lingers on? We start life under the care of loving parents, who nurture and protect us. As we mature, we are fulfilled with love, with careers, and with our hobbies or interests. These are the things that define our lives, make us who we are. But when it is time for us to be that bedridden person, our youthful vigor but a long, lost memory, is it unreasonable to want to have the option to say enough is enough and to leave the stage on our own terms?

Perhaps, tomorrow morning, when you pop out of bed, first imagine if you couldn’t. Add to that your inability to roll on your side under your own power to relieve the sting of the bedsores. Add to that unexplained nausea and/or difficulty breathing. Then, take away interest in all things that once sustained you. And finally, add loneliness, lying in your bed with no one who has time to talk to you. Under these circumstances, would you regret not having supported the current legislation for a dignified way to say good-bye?

Spenser Alpern, New York, NY

Recent Events & Updates

End of Life Choices New York Mentioned on CBS’ The Daily Report

We told you in our last newsletter that we had been working intensely with CBS News on a two-part series that highlighted medical aid in dying. And while all of the work we had been doing was not part of the story in the end, it has brought a lot of attention to this issue. People magazine picked up the story as well and we have been fielding calls ever since about how people can get involved. Watch this clip to see the producer, Carlos Beltran, mention how EOLCNY was instrumental in making this piece.

Our Next Steps to Pass the Bill

Thanks in large part to the very generous gift from Mr. Alpern (read his letter above), we are moving ahead with big plans to push medical aid in dying over the legislative finish line. We have several meetings with legislators scheduled and we are looking to bring more public pressure on lawmakers through media campaigns (both television and online/print media) as well as community events to engage with lawmakers, constituents, and high profile organizations that support this bill. Look for us when you are out and about and let us know about events in your neighborhood that we should attend, sponsor or speak.

Introduce yourself at our next Meet-n-Greet

Meet-n-Greets are our way to get to know you, and to live our mission of normalizing conversations about death and dying. We encourage EVERYONE to attend one meet-n-greet and introduce yourself to us! We take one hour to share our work, get to know you, hear from people about why we advocate for medical aid in dying, and engage in a short activity that sparks conversation about end of life. It’s a free, inspiring way to get a little more involved with us.

Join us at the next meet-n-greet on February 19th at noon. Registration is free but required. Register here.

Derek Humphrey Dies

We pay tribute to Derek Humphry, a co-founder of The Hemlock Society and innovative, courageous early leader in the movement to legalize medical aid in dying, who recently died. Derek was a vocal pioneer who for decades promoted the idea that dying patients should have the right to have medical assistance to end their suffering. He risked his freedom when writing a book, “Jean’s Way”, in 1979, about how he helped his first wife hasten her death with lethal medicine. In 1991, he published “Final Exit: The Practicalities of Self-Deliverance and Assisted Suicide for the Dying.” The book was a guide that described different methods to hasten death. It became a number one NYTimes best seller in the advice category. Derek’s strong advocacy for those who wish to die on their own terms will be missed.

Upcoming Trainings

Thursday, February 13th at 7pm on Zoom- General Training. Join us to get more acquainted with the work we do in New York. Learn about our mission and how you can join our efforts by offering your time and talents. Click here to register and you will receive the Zoom information in a follow-up email.
Thursday, February 20th at 7pm on Zoom- Outreach Training. If you have attended one of our General Training Sessions and are interested in lending your outreach and presentation skills, this training is for you! Learn about the ways we partner with other groups, agencies, and communities to offer education about MAiD, Advance Care Planning, VSED, and more. If you enjoy networking and have ideas about events, fairs, and conventions that EOLCNY can partner with, then this is for you. Click here to register and you will receive the Zoom information in a follow-up email.
Save the date! Our next Advance Care Planning Forms Tutorial is March 6th, 2025 at 7pm on Zoom. If you already know you want to join us, click here to register!

Ask Us Anything

Q: What is the cause of death if someone uses medical aid in dying to end their life?

A: The cause of death would be the illness that necessitated the use of medical aid in dying (i.e. Cancer or ALS). Medical aid in dying would not be on the death certificate nor would it effect life insurance.

If you have a question you’d like answered, send it here!

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