Summer’s wrapping up quickly, and I’ve enjoyed spending much of mine on the go, meeting with people around the nation. Despite all the unique character and culture I encountered, and the beauty of those differences, I was struck over and over by the common threads that bind us.

Of course there’s that singular universal we share: the inevitability of death. And although from that stems some of our widest variances — people who very much want any treatment or procedure that may give them more time, those who prefer a comfort-only approach, and others still who wish to preempt the agony that might await them — there’s still more that binds us together than divides us.

Everyone, regardless of their beliefs and preferences, needs:

• Laws that let them access all end-of-life options.

• A medical system that supports them in whatever they choose.

• Unbiased facts and data to make fully informed decisions every step of the way.

Throughout our nearly half-century of taking on this work, we’ve sought to empower people to make their own end-of-life decisions within a healthcare system largely built to do the opposite. And here’s where some real differences arise. In terms of geography, Americans’ end-of-life realities could not be less alike:

• Of hospitals that provide palliative care, 90% sit in cities whereas only 17% are in rural areas.

• Thousands of people live in “care deserts” where the only hospital within 40 miles is governed by religious directives that drastically restrict what care is allowed, particularly at life’s end.

• Four in five people live in states that do not explicitly recognize a dying person’s legal right to medical aid in dying.

Humanity, not geography, should dictate how one dies. And we are making encouraging progress to that end. In part due to our collective persistent efforts, two states have passed amendments to improve their aid-in-dying laws in ways that make them less arduous to access, and two opened their borders to residents from other states, a result of our courageous patient and doctor advocates, strong partnerships, and brilliant legal team. And we are engaging people from all 50 states to recognize that when it comes to life’s end, planning equals peace; information equals power; advocacy equals clarity and closure.

Opening the option of medical aid in dying to millions more people is a noteworthy step. However, too many people are still left behind.

• One in two seniors will die with or from dementia, and well below 1% have put together a plan to disrupt the default mode in healthcare and ensure they get exactly the care they want — nothing less and nothing more.

• Far too few people have really considered what they want yet — or understand enough about how to navigate our healthcare system — to ensure their life’s epilogue is melodic and harmonious.

This is the critical work that Compassion & Choices is advancing.

For us to continue progress toward achieving our full mission, we must come together as a movement more than ever before. And our 2023 virtual signature event, Heroes of the Movement, is designed for just this purpose. Please join us on October 26 from 7-8 p.m. ET/4-5 p.m.for an inspiring, celebratory evening where you meet some of the extraordinary people behind our greatest victories, learn more about the breadth of our work and engage with other supporters online. Click here to register for the event. 

As importantly, help us grow the movement — and our impact — by taking one or more the following actions:

• Promote Heroes of the Movement on social media, via email or just by talking about it.

• Host a watch party.

• Become an outreach ambassador.

• Sponsor the event.

Donate, or make a tribute or memorial gift.

By working in solidarity, we can ensure that the universality of death leads lawmakers and the medical community to consider patient-directed end-of-life care with greater urgency. I hope you will begin that effort now by contributing to and helping spread the word about the everyday Heroes of the Movement.

With appreciation and excitement,

Kim

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