Terminally ill Woman Fights for End-Of-Life Rights

29-year-old Brittany Maynard’s days are numbered. In fact, she knows the exact number: 21 days. After being diagnosed with a severely progressive brain tumor, Maynard has decided to end her own life on November 1.

Originally, Maynard was given 10 years to live. However, the tumor evolved into glioblastoma multiforme, the deadliest form of cancer. The average life expectancy does not exceed 14 months. After this diagnosis, doctors emphasized how slow and painful her death would be.

Because of this, Maynard has decided to take control of her life and choose her own ending. On November 1, the day after her husband’s birthday, she will end her life with her husband, mother, and best friend all by her side. She will be using medication prescribed by a doctor in Oregon.

Why Oregon? Oregon has instated the “Death with Dignity Act,” allowing qualified people to purposely end their lives using medication. Only terminal patients qualify. Since the year it was instated, 1997, over 750 terminally ill people have utilized this right.

Maynard is not suicidal. Instead, she wants to die with dignity. These last 21 days, Maynard is striving to raise awareness of “end-of-life” rights. She is collaborating The Brittany Maynard Fund with Compassion & Choice, a life-rights organization.

Watch the touching video to raise awareness here: http://www.foxnews.com/health/2014/10/08/terminally-ill-woman-fighting-for-others-rights-to-end-their-own-lives/

Alexandra Norton
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