Compassion & Choices Magazine: Fall 2024

We are delighted to feature Tembi Locke on the cover of our magazine and in the Five Questions. Her powerful memoir, From Scratch: A Memoir of Love, Sicily, and Finding Home, which inspired the Netflix series starring Zoe Saldana, exemplifies how issues of death and dying are gaining increased prominence in movies, TV and the media .

This progress is both exciting and noteworthy; however, we have the potential to create a far more empowering narrative that shifts the taboo topic of death and dying to one that is embraced and treasured. Our courageous terminally ill advocates have illuminated the path forward for us all.

These advocates have taught us that by facing our own mortality, we can infuse our everyday lives with greater meaning and purpose. Their courage and wisdom remind us of the importance of living fully, appreciating each moment, and fostering deeper connections with others. Check out an excerpt from my recently published book chapter, “Wisdom From the Brink: Lessons for Living a More Meaningful Life” from the book Plan A Life You Love.

One day, as a society, we will transform our relationship with death into a powerful reminder of the joy of living, leading to lives filled with greater impact and fewer regrets. Together, we can achieve this transformation, one person, one conversation at a time.

In service and with gratitude,

At Compassion & Choices, we’re committed to empowering individuals to make informed decisions about their own end-of-life wishes and to changing laws and systems to provide better care for all of us. But we can’t do it alone. Here’s how you can help: