The Power of Soft: A Volunteer’s Reflections
By Grant Affleck I have had the profound privilege of witnessing many perspectives on the vulnerability of death, supporting people through many hundreds of deaths. In my work with hospice, […]
Lessons in How – and How Not To Die
This story about one woman’s experience of both best and worst at life’s end is being told for the dual messages it brings. Resources on our website can help you […]
The Dying Process Can Be Peaceful
…If you know what to expect. By Fran Johns When my husband Bud died I knew a lot about what was happening. I had attended medically- aided deaths as a […]
Honoring Our Volunteers – Linda Rowe
April is Volunteer Appreciation Month and End of Life Choices California would not be able to provide the information and support we do to thousands of Californians each year without […]
A Voice of Compassion
By Fran Moreland Johns “Can you help me?” The voice answering that anxious, often sorrowful and sometimes desperate question can be the first voice of reassurance in challenging times. The […]
Where there’s a Will, there’s a way
Our growth these last two years in particular has been exponential – we are now answering hundreds of inquiries annually, attending dozens of Medical Aid in Dying deaths, and raising awareness to thousands more through our media outreach and Speaker Program.
Looking for answers about the use of MAiD
Know that in California medical aid in dying is available to you. You may never need it, but you have the right to understand it and choose it if the time comes.
Thanksgiving. Giving Thanks. Giving. Thanks.
There are so many inspirational quotes and phrases about Thanksgiving focusing on gratitude and thanks, one quote from Erma Bombeck stands out to me: “I come from a family where […]
Gifts & Lessons Learned Through Loss
Occasionally a purpose, an enlightened drive, arises from the ashes of grief, bringing meaning to the unimaginable. And that is the true gift. Through the loss of my terminally-ill husband, I found that my bestowment was writing. Writing not only brought me immeasurable pleasure and release, but it took on a life of its own and began helping others in my same situation as I shared my innermost, deep, dark, and light emotions to my community online,
Getting the Word Out About Dying with Dignity
At End of Life Choices California, one of our major objectives is to spread the word about all of the medical options Californians have at the end of their lives […]
Not in the Job Description, Bonus Benefits of EOLCCA Work
“All they really needed,” one volunteer said of a client’s family, “was an outsider’s ear and a little time.” The volunteer had come, after making an appointment on the phone, […]
A Good Year
As 2022 winds down, I want to wish all our friends and supporters a happy holiday season and a wonderful New Year. I always find it illuminating to look back […]
Apoyo y Ayuda al Final / Support and Help at the End
Esta nota bilingüe fue publicada previamente en La Voz y en Impulso News. Si usted desea apoyar nuestro alcance a la comunidad Latinx, escriba a la Doctora Marisol a doctoramarisolmunoz@gmail.com. […]
Why I Do This Work
I’ll call her Hazel – because she didn’t give me permission to tell her story. If I had asked, though, I’m satisfied that she would have happily agreed. Hazel was […]
Looking Forward in 2022
This month, End of Life Choices California (EOLCCA) celebrates the completion of three years of service to the people of California. Dear Friends and Supporters, I am proud to share […]
A Volunteer’s Story
Our client, and my friend, “Anne” died Friday, December 10. She was the mother of my best friend and the most fun-loving, bubbly, vivacious, down-to-earth woman I have ever known. […]
Can We Talk?
They say there are only two things we absolutely have to do: Die and pay Taxes. April 15 is traditionally Tax Day, and now the day after, April 16, has […]
What the World Needs Now
As End of Life Choices California completes its second year (first full year!) and we approach this coming new one, I am struck by what an immense undertaking beginning and […]
El Día de los Muertos
Dear Readers, A few years ago, I happened to be visiting Mexico over October 31 – November 2. As luck would have it, it was the annual event of el […]
Our Favorite Music
Dear Friends, In this continuing and unprecedented time of disruption and uncertainty, we wanted to share some of our favorite music with you. Music has been known for centuries to […]
On COVID-19, Flexibility and Compassion
We share this thoughtful blog by EOLCCA Board member Fran Johns, a prolific thinker and writer. While much has changed in the mere 11 days since she wrote this piece, […]
Cycles of Living and Dying…
Originally published March 4, 2020 and reprinted with permission Sebastian entered the world eight weeks ahead of schedule, weighing all of two pounds. His lineage is Korean/African American/German, which may […]
The Beauty of Choice
End of Life Choices California offers information and non-judgemental personal support to anyone seeking help managing end-of-life care planning or decision-making in California. Please visit our website for more information […]
Thank you Dr. Israel!
We applaud and need more doctors like New Jersey physician, Jessica Israel, MD to share the thoughtful journey that led them to participate in medical aid in dying (MAID) for […]
The Path to a Good Death
This weekend, EOLCCA hosted our third Client Advocate Volunteer training in California. It was a great day and we have some amazing new volunteers in our EOLCCA family. Part of […]
EOLCCA 2020 Hope and Vision
We have been thinking about how we want to grow in 2020 and are working to clarify our vision for the coming year. But, sometimes it helps to look back […]
Giving Thanks
The dictionary describes the word ‘thanksgiving’ as follows: “the act of giving thanks; grateful acknowledgment of benefits or favors…..an expression of thanks….” Each of us always looks forward to Thanksgiving, […]
How Not To Die In The ER
This extraordinary piece we share with you today is a thoughtful and moving example of just what it takes to get well-meaning medical providers to pay attention to what we […]
Going online shopping this weekend?
A New and SUPER Easy Way to Contribute to our Important Work! Hello Friends, We know how many requests for financial support come through your inbox for nonprofits and political […]
A Return To Nature
I recently read this article, which appeared in my Inbox. I was pleasantly surprised by all the information it contained about green burial. This issue has not been part of […]