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 gravy is considered a beverage.”
Ok, maybe not the most consequential thought, but as we at End of Life Choices California (EOLCCA) consider our work around the weighty (Thanksgiving meal pun alert!) issues surrounding death and dying, living and dying with dignity, and controlling our own fate, it’s important to remember that sometimes humor – puns, physical humor, even gallows humor – is something that can sustain us during difficult times.
Particularly during the holiday season, as our thoughts often turn to loved ones no longer with us (family, friends, Dick Clark on New Year’s Eve…), we encourage you to take a moment to recall a heart-warming and humorous memory of a loved one and appreciate the smiles and joy shared.
Thankful
We are thankful for the many people associated with EOLCCA:
the hundreds of Californians who have reached out to us this year for information, guidance, and support as they or a close friend or family member seek control and dignity at the end of their lives.
the over 45 Client Volunteers throughout the state who are there every day to answer questions, guide people through their end-of-life journey, and even be present at their bedside as a knowledgeable and calming influence on the day of a planned death.
the health care, hospice, and medical professionals who refer their patients and clients to us for additional information and support.
our donors, who allow us to keep the lights on, raise awareness, and continue to provide these important services, all provided at no cost to the client.
our board members who work hard to keep us on track and all contribute their time and talent serving on one committee or another.
The pyramid falls without the strength, compassion, and support from each of these groups. A collective THANK YOU to all of you!
Looking Ahead
In giving thanks for what has transpired over the last year, we also turn an eye to the future. For us, that means:
developing and offering an Advanced Training to certified Doulas from anywhere in the country on all the end-of-life options, including Medical Aid-in-Dying
recruiting and training more volunteers to serve the increasing demand for our services in more rural and medically underserved areas of California
expanding our speaker program to hospice staff and to the community at large
screenings of relevant movies to provide education and information to the general public about medical aid in dying.
During this season of Thanks, we also ask you to consider Giving.
We are a small but growing organization so every donation counts and is impactful! You can make a secure online donation here or you can send a check to 153 S Sierra Ave #30, Solana Beach, CA 92075. We can also accept donations of stock (a good tax strategy if applicable to you) or from your Donor Advised Fund. We are a 501c3 nonprofit organization, Certified GuideStar Gold, EIN 83-3560210.
Thank you
One final Thank You to YOU for reading!
On behalf of the Board and Staff of EOLCCA, we all wish you a peaceful and fulfilling holiday season, however you choose to observe,
Judy Epstein Executive Director
EOLCCA supports a strong team of experienced volunteers throughout the state, ready to help anyone, anywhere in California free of charge with information and support regarding all end-of-life planning and choices, including aid in dying through the California End of Life Option Act. You can find comprehensive information on our user-friendly website. EOLCCA is a 501(c)(3) non profit organization and we rely on donations from individuals and foundations. To support our work, or request an educational presentation, please visit Ways to Help. Thank you!
Jack Has A Plan is the story of Jack Tuller whose career as a budding San Francisco musician was altered in 1994, when he was diagnosed with a terminal condition and given six months to live. This documentary tells the story of the following 24 years as Jack dodges one bullet after the next. But Jack somehow turns his predicament into a left Coast art-performance project, complete with experimental movies, diaries, and funky dance moves. Finally, Jack engineers a graceful exit from life’s stage. San Francisco Examiner says “As joyous, thrilling and funny as any film about death could be.”
Jack Has A Planis the story of Jack Tuller whose career as a budding San Francisco musician was altered in 1994, when he was diagnosed with a terminal condition and given six months to live. This documentary tells the story of the following 24 years as Jack dodges one bullet after the next. But Jack somehow turns his predicament into a left Coast art-performance project, complete with experimental movies, diaries, and funky dance moves. Finally, Jack engineers a graceful exit from life’s stage. San Francisco Examiner says “As joyous, thrilling and funny as any film about death could be.”
Watching things bloom this time of year makes me think a lot about End of Life Choices California and how we too are growing.
I am pleased and honored to share that I am no longer the “acting volunteer executive director” which I have been since our humble beginnings, as the Board of Directors recently voted to appoint me as our official Executive Director.
When the other founding directors and I started EOLCCA back in the spring of 2019, our vision was to help people access a peaceful death. Big vision! We were driven by the daunting realization of how few people, doctors, and hospices knew about California’s at the time newer End of Life Option Act legalizing medical aid in dying (MAiD), as well as all the other end-of-life options.
On our YouTube channel
As part of our ongoing effort to educate the public and health care providers about the law, we have created a short video designed to reach a broad audience. I am delighted to share it with you here.
Please take 3 minutes to learn about the positive impact we have on peoples’ lives.
I invite you to share it with your own networks so more people can be aware of this law and how to reach us.
To educate and empower
We continue the work we started back in 2019 with high hopes and dreams of continued growth and the ability to reach, educate and empower Californians so they know what all their end-of-life options are, and how to access them. One of our greatest satisfactions has been the specialized presentations we have provided to hospices. We have had the privilege of providing education to dozens of hospices throughout the state – from their MDs, RNs and MSWs to their bereavement counselors and volunteers.
Day to day, on the ground, our dedicated cadre of Client Volunteers provide the backbone of our operation. In 2023 alone, we have already fielded calls and emails from nearly 500 people. Our amazing volunteers offer support and guidance to empower individuals to navigate the medical system and effectively communicate their end-of-life wishes. We have built a rich resource center over the years so they can provide information about physicians willing to prescribe MAiD, supportive hospices with physicians who prescribe MAiD, and other pertinent support services in their community. In addition, our volunteers are skillfully trained and honored to be present bedside to support the family or loved ones on the day the client chooses to take medical aid in dying.
“During a period of time when we were in desperate need of guidance and information and a resolution, we came across the organization (EOLCCA) and it helped us every step of the way.”
— Matt Mayerson, family member
Sharing and giving
We are so grateful to the many supporters of EOLCCA who are helping us reach a larger audience by sharing our video widely. For more information about how you can support our mission through a tax-deductible gift, please visit our donation page. Every donation, large and small, is deeply appreciated and helps us reach more people to ensure they are able to access the end-of-life care and dying that they want.
In the words of Henry David Thoreau, “…one must maintain a little bit of summer, even in the middle of winter.” We feel the work we do provides just that: brings the lightness of summer to an often-wintry time for those facing the end of their lives.
Best wishes for a lovely summer.
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EOLCCA supports a strong team of experienced volunteers throughout the state, ready to help anyone, anywhere in California free of charge with information and support regarding all end-of-life planning and choices, including aid in dying through the California End of Life Option Act. You can find comprehensive information on our user-friendly website. To support our work, or request an educational presentation, please visit ways to help. Thank you for your support!
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