FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
It’s about planning…
When a friend, family member, acquaintance or colleague asks me – What’s it like to talk about death and dying all the time? My answer is usually along the lines of – I’m not always having death and dying conversations, but I am always having planning conversations. So let’s talk a little bit about planning with some helpful links to our website with resources to help you along:
- Are your thoughts about planning for end-of-life internal conversations or have you invited your loved ones and medical team into the conversation? Here are some tips on opening the conversation.
- Do you have an Advance Health Care Directive? If you do, when was the last time you reviewed or updated it?
- How about a POLST (Physician’s Orders for Life Sustaining Treatment)?
These are the essential basics, but that’s just the beginning. If you want some assistance along the way, call (760-636-8009) or contact us – our knowledgeable team is here to help.
The counterpoint to planning, of course, is procrastination.
I neglected in last month’s newsletter to provide a reminder that August was National Make-a-Will Month and make the case to include whatever organizations you support in your estate planning. And if EOLCCA is one of those organizations, we’d love to welcome you into our Dragonfly Society.
With that, read on for updates of our activities – including an upcoming public Webinar on October 20, California’s Department of Public Health 2025 report on Medical Aid in Dying, and our featured Volunteer Spotlight.
Mark Greenberg
Executive Director
WEBINARS and TRAINING
Save the Date
Public Webinar, October 20 at 4 pm (PST)
You don’t have to be facing a terminal diagnosis to benefit from knowing your options. Join us on Zoom for this free community webinar for anyone who wants to understand the legal end-of-life options available in California — and across the country.
EOLCCA representatives will walk you through voluntarily stopping eating and drinking (VSED) and medical aid in dying (MAiD) under California’s End of Life Option Act (EOLOA), share a national update on the state of MAiD, and explain how EOLCCA can support you — whether you’re planning ahead or navigating a situation right now. The session closes with an open Q&A.
This event is free and welcoming for all — whether you’re in your 30s thinking ahead, someone with a terminal diagnosis, a family member or friend supporting a loved one, or a professional seeking resources for your clients.
Register Here
NEWS
More Californians Utilizing End of Life Option Act
Under the End of Life Option Act, the California Department of Public Health is required to collect information about those utilizing Medical Aid in Dying (MAiD) and produce a report each year. This year’s report found a steady increase in those seeking relief under the law.
Some of the topline numbers for 2025 (with 2024 comparison in parentheses) include:
- 1839 prescriptions for the medication fulfilled (1710)
- 1235 deaths under the Act (1113)
About 52% had a bachelor’s or advanced educational degree, rising to 75% including those who had an Associates degree or some college. Over 85% identified as White, 6.4% Asian, 5.5% Hispanic, and 1.2% Black. Cancer was the underlying illness for nearly 63%, Cardiovascular Disease 12.6%, Neurological Disease 10.4% and Respiratory Disease 7.1%.
Here at EOLCCA, we are committed to raising greater public awareness about the law and the full spectrum of end-of-life options available in California, while providing the critical information and compassionate support to help people to navigate those options.
IN THE COMMUNITY
Recently…
Marin Senior Fair, September 16
We handed out hundreds of pieces of information and engaged in dozens of meaningful conversations, and met many potential partner organizations while there. Great work, team!
Hospice and Clinical Staff Webinar
To see upcoming events go to our Events Calendar here!
VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT
Five Questions with Beatrice Moe
1. Why did you decide to volunteer with EOLCCA?
My mother suffered from Alzheimer’s Disease and I watched her slowly slip away over a period of close to 10 years. It was heartbreaking. After she died, I was determined to learn everything I could about advance planning and legal end-of-life options so that I could have agency over my own death and not have to put my family through that experience. I liked that EOLCCA was a “boots on the ground” organization, connecting people with the resources they need to plan their exits.
2. What Volunteer Activities do you do with EOLCCA?
It’s funny. I actually went into volunteering thinking I would do one thing but I ended up doing something totally different. I thought I wanted to be a volunteer who attended the client’s Day of Death—supporting the client (and family) on the day they ingested the life-ending medication. But at that time in EOLCCA there was a bigger need for someone to do outreach to hospices, so I started doing that and loved it. As a hospice outreach volunteer I call hospices to let them know who we are and how we can help their staff and patients understand and navigate the MAiD process. There are over 2,200 hospices in California so it is a big job …a lot of smiling and dialing.
3. What have you found most rewarding about your volunteer experience?
It’s hard to say. There are many rewarding aspects. First, it did not take me long to realize I had found my people! Not everyone is comfortable talking about death, but EOLCCA volunteers do not have that barrier. Also they are some of the smartest, kindest people I have ever worked with. As far as the work goes, I love seeing people learn that they do have options; the sense of relief that they get from that is huge. And I have become a resource for many people in my own family.
4. What’s your message for Hospices across the state seeking information or support for their patients?
We are here to help you, your staff, and your patients! Patients have many legal options for end-of-life care and MAiD is an option that more and more Californians are asking about. Hospices need to learn how to support these patients and guide them through the process. Our website is a treasure trove of resources and our phone team (760-636-8009) is available Monday – Friday to answer questions. We can arrange an in-service training for your staff (or attend one of our information webinars!). And it is all free. Get in touch. We look forward to hearing from you.
5. Outside of EOLCCA, tell us a little about yourself.
I’m a retired Registered Nurse and a California native. I love this state and especially the mountains. I learned to ski at 2 years old and grew up in a ski racing family. I have travelled extensively and I once lived and worked in Switzerland and France for a couple of years. With all the travel I have done in my 64 years circling the sun, the best trip I ever took was just last Fall, when I went to Nepal to volunteer with a group called Global Dental Relief. We provided free dental care to kids at a clinic we set up at a school in Kathmandu. After working at the clinic for a couple of weeks some of us trekked the Everest Base Camp trail. I loved the breathtaking scenery, the culture and especially the Nepali people. I want to go back. When I am at home I enjoy doing art projects, swimming, and knitting emotional support chickens to give to people who need them.
MAKING A DIFFERENCE
We received this heartfelt note from the daughter of a client our volunteers recently supported through their MAiD process:
“I just wanted to thank you again for being there for all my family today. You really are so lovely inside and out, and made everything so much easier for us all. I am so thankful. Thank you for the time, care, comfort, and support you give to strangers in a way that makes it feel not strange at all.”