Campaign for Dignity in Dying

The Campaign for Dignity in Dying website features personal health narratives that share individuals’ experiences with terminal illnesses and their perspectives on end-of-life choices, including assisted dying. These narratives highlight the emotional, ethical, and legislative dimensions of facing death and advocate for the importance of patient autonomy in healthcare decision-making.  See, for example, the stories by Sandy Briden (a scientist with a rare and incurable form of cancer), Lesley Close (sister to John Close, who was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease), and Heather McQueen (whose mother, Sheena, died from an incurable cancer). 

The website can be a classroom resource for exploring topics related to end-of-life care, assisted dying, and the impact of legislative choices on patients and families. Students can discuss the limited accessibility to assisted death and the implications for patients with and without access to dignified death. The website and overall campaign are also a fruitful example of how personal narratives can play a role in advocacy for policy change.

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