Marylanders deserve the chance to chart their own end-of-life journey, including the compassionate option of medical aid in dying.
Medical aid in dying allows terminally ill adults, with six months or less to live, the option to request and take medication prescribed by their doctor to end unbearable suffering. It is entirely optional for both the terminally ill person and the doctor, and puts the patient in charge of what happens with their dying process.
Washington, D.C. and 11 states, including nearby New Jersey, have the option of medical aid in dying, but here in Maryland, that compassionate option is still out of reach.
Diane Kraus, a Baltimore occupational therapist, who worked for 23 years in hospice and homecare, used her final years to urge Maryland lawmakers to pass medical aid-in-dying legislation. She was diagnosed with stage 4 metastatic breast cancer in 2021 and she faced her devastating prognosis with courage, sharing her story with state lawmakers.
"I am dying. I found out I had metastatic breast cancer in soft tissue, lymph nodes throughout my chest, innumerable tumors in my liver and lungs, bone cancer including my skull, and brain tumors. I have already done chemotherapy and whole-brain radiation, and continue with maintenance chemotherapy…Allow me and others like me to choose to slightly lessen the end burden…"
Despite her strength and advocacy, Diane passed away, denied the peaceful death she so passionately advocated for in Maryland.
Access to end-of-life care should not be determined by where you live. Together, we can honor Diane's legacy and ensure Marylanders like Diane will be allowed to choose their own end-of-life care.
By taking action today, you show your support for choice at the end of life.
The Compassion & Choices family comprises two organizations: Compassion & Choices (the 501(c)(3)), whose focus is expanding access, public education and litigation; and Compassion & Choices Action Network (the 501(c)(4)), whose focus is legislative work at the federal and state levels. By submitting this form, you affirm your membership in the Compassion & Choices Action Network. Membership is open to anyone committed to advancing end-of-life options and is renewed annually through a donation or online action.
