Organizations
The following list of statewide, national, and international organizations offers resources on everything from state-specific groups similar to End of Life Choices California, to organizations seeking to protect existing state laws such as California’s ELOA and to expand Right-to-Die laws in new states, and to organizations supporting the medical provider and caregiver communities, or those focused on other topics broadly related to advance health care planning, and death and dying. Please note that a listing here does not imply endorsement.
…in other states:
ALS Association
ALS Association provides education, advocacy and information about amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease). Whether you’re newly diagnosed, navigating your journey with the disease, caring for a person with ALS, or researching the cure, there are resources to support you.
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American Clinicians Academy on Medical Aid in Dying
The Academy provides a Patient-to-Doctor Referral System; an Information Update and Discussion Listserv; a series of Video Interviews with leaders in the field discussing pressing issues and concerns; a Patient Information Portal; Research and Data Analysis; Resident and Medical Student Trainings; Certified Online Continuing Medical Education for Nurses, Social Workers, and Physicians.
Visit them online
California Hospice and Palliative Care Association
Established in 1986, CHAPCA is headquartered in Sacramento, CA. CHAPCA is governed by the Board of Directors,whose members are responsible for setting the policy of the association.
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Caregiver Action Network (CAN)
CAN offers caregiving tips and on-line resources including a support network and resource guides and is the nation’s leading family caregiver organization working to improve the quality of life for the more than 90 million Americans who care for loved ones with chronic conditions, disabilities, disease, or the frailties of old age.
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Chinese American Coalition for Compassionate Care
Dedicated to building a community in which Chinese Americans are able to face end of life with dignity and respect. CACCC provides compassionate care, community service, education and outreach to Chinese Americans and to the healthcare professionals who serve them. They work to empower Chinese Americans by improving access to end of life resources: producing original Chinese language materials or translating existing materials into Chinese and providing referrals to appropriate agencies.
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Clearing House for Longterm Care
The Administration for Community Living, an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, brings together the efforts and achievements of the Administration on Aging, the Administration on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, and the HHS Office on Disability to serve as the Federal agency responsible for increasing access to community supports, while focusing attention and resources on the unique needs of older Americans and people with disabilities across the lifespan.
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Coalition for Compassionate Care of California
The Coalition for Compassionate Care of California (CCCC) promotes high-quality, compassionate care for everyone who is seriously ill or nearing the end of life.
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Compassion & Choices
Compassion & Choices is a national advocacy organization that played a pivotal role in helping to get the California End of Life Option Act passed in 2015. Their strategic plan includes helping to get Right-to-Die laws passed in other states with the intention that by 2028, half the U.S. population will live in a location where medical aid in dying is an open and accessible medical practice.
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Death With Dignity
The mission of the Death with Dignity National Center is to promote death with dignity laws based on our model legislation, the Oregon Death with Dignity Act, both to provide an option for dying individuals and to stimulate nationwide improvements in end-of-life care.
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Final Exit Network
The mission of FEN is to educate qualified individuals in practical, peaceful ways to end their lives, offer a compassionate bedside presence and defend their right to choose. Their vision is that any competent person unbearably suffering an intractable medical condition has the option to die legally and peacefully.
Hemlock Society of San Diego
The Hemlock Society of San Diego is a 32 year old 501 (c)(3), not-for-profit, volunteer, educational organization. Our mission is to provide education to the San Diego community about all end of life choices. We believe that people should be able to die consistent with their own beliefs and values and with proper, current information.
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Orphan Wisdom
Stephen Jenkinson is a teacher, author, storyteller, spiritual activist, farmer and founder of the Orphan Wisdom School, a teaching house and learning house for the skills of deep living and making human culture. It is rooted in knowing history, being claimed by ancestry, working for a time yet to come. Visit them online
The Conversation Project
The Conversation Project is a public engagement initiative with a goal that is both simple and transformative: to have every person’s wishes for end-of-life care expressed and respected.
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VSED Resources Northwest
World Federation Right To Die Societies
“Thank you for everything these past few weeks. From your wise and informed counsel to your emotional support - I can’t tell you how much I appreciate everything you’ve done for my family.” B.Y.
