Stuart Chalfin started a Compassion & Choices Philadelphia-area group in 2012 because he felt compelled by the grim news articles about how people die in modern America and the impressions gained from visiting assisted-living facilities. “I’m not a very active person politically,” admits Chalfin, but he was able to gather 40 contacts to attend his first meeting. He also reached out to State Senator Daylin Leach, a death-with-dignity backer, and arranged for him to come speak to the Philadelphia group this spring.

It was during one of the group’s meetings that Chalfin proposed the idea of starting a legal defense fund to help the Mancini family with legal expenses. He was appalled by the plight of Barbara Mancini, who until recently was battling an “assisted suicide” charge related to the death of her 93-year-old terminally ill father. “That was a horrorshow, to have to go through that situation when her father was terminal. Their legal bills were over $100,000; she lost her job,” he said. Compassion & Choices presented the Mancini family with $20,000 raised through the fund, which will be an ongoing initiative to help others facing unjust prosecution related to end-of-life issues.  “It was so abhorrent to me, what they were doing to these poor people,” he explained, “So that was some satisfaction.” At the press conference where the C&C representatives presented the check, Joe Mancini thanked Stuart directly for his support.

Otherwise, weather permitting, Stuart continues to organize meetings for the growing number of area supporters and keeps them updated regularly via e-mail. “I think a death with dignity option will eventually be the law of the land. So whatever little part I’m able to do, hopefully it contributes,” says Chalfin. “Pennsylvania is going to be a very tough state, so I don’t believe it’s going to become a national law of any kind in my lifetime. But we’re making some progress. You can come to the cemetery and tell me when it does!”

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