.png "Header")
Newsletters
New to DWD? Don't miss out on recent news! Here is a summary of the most popular articles in recent editions. Click on the link for a PDF of the newsletter with the relevant article.
- Voice for Choice - December 2012 Now available
.png)
December's newsletter is now available and is already receiving rave reviews.
Click here to read the newsletter.
Highlights of this quarter's issue include:
Two Remarkable Canadians Endorse Dying With Dignity
We introduce our two lead patrons, Moses Znaimer and Christopher Plummer.
The Other Victim
Those near end-of-life and their families are not the only ones who suffer. Here we take a look at the ongoing mental anguish experienced by a Toronto Transit employee who was involuntarily involved when a woman jumped in front of his train.
Hearing the Heartbreak
Sheila Noyes provides a very personal perspective on supporting individuals at end-of-life who call our Client Support Program.
Ethical Insight
We introduce a new feature where we go behind the scenes of real life situations - and take a look at the impact of real life advance care planning.
The Charter and You
Justice Smith's recent decision to overturn the ban on medically-assisted dying has its roots in the protections of our charter. Here we take a closer look at this critical document.
In this issue you'll also find highlights from international news, an update on our Client Support Program, staff and volunteer profiles, and plenty of opportunities to get involved.
Click here to read the newsletter.
- Voice for Choice - September 2012
September's newsletter received rave reviews.
Click here to read the newsletter.
Highlights of this quarter's issue include:
Landmark Ruling
An in-depth look at Justice Lynn Smith's decision on the Carter Challenge - a case that will impact the rights of all Canadians to medically-assisted dying.
When No Means No
DWD Member Camilla Isbister writes about her experience with forcefeeding in care homes.
Cometh the Hour
Notes from the outstanding presentation given by Professor Jocelyn Downie at DWD's Annual General Meeting.
Up Close and Personal with Gloria Taylor
An insiders view of the courageous effort Gloria undertook to attend and be honoured at our AGM.
Three Years Too Late
DWD member Philip Edwards on the lessons he learned from his mother's death and dying.
In this issue, you'll also find information about advance care planning and becoming an informed voice for choice, updates on internal and international news, and another wonderful contribution from Katherine M. Svec in Katherine's Corner.
Click here to read the newsletter.
- Voice for Choice - June 2012
Click here to read the newsletter.
Highlights of this quarter's newsletter include:
DWD Spokesperson Ends His Life
DWD Board President Meg Westley writes movingly about being present when Nagui Morcos hastened his dying.
No Doubt About It
DWD Board Member Dr. Johnna Fisher provides an insiders look at our Client Support Program. How do we ensure there is no coercion when a client wants information about how to hasten their dying?
Lies, Damn Lies and the Euthanasia Prevention Coalition
DWD Executive Director Wanda Morris talks about facing-off against the religious right in a recent series of debates across the country.
An Overview of the Carter Challenge
Do state interests override charter rights? We give you a summary of the Charter Challenge (the case joined by Gloria Taylor).
As well as articles on patient rights, the latest internal news, donation strategies and moving submissions from two long-time DWD supporters, Don Johns and Katherine M. Svec.
Click here to see the newsletter.
- A Death Without Dignity
Margaret McPhee shares her experience - and her fears - about a death without dignity. Margaret is a long-time DWD member and a volunteer speaker in Vancouver.
See the Front Page of our February 2012 issue.
- Alzheimer’s and End-of-Life Decisions
An Alzheimer’s diagnosis needn’t preclude a death with dignity
A DWD member and volunteer has researched and written this article about options available to individuals and their families when Alzheimer’s is diagnosed. The importance of planning is never more critical – but options and choices, including support from DWD, still exist.
See the back page of our February 2012 issue.
- The Logic Flaws of Rodriguez
DWD Board Member and award winning UBC bioethics professor Dr. Johnna Fisher exposes the logic flaws in Rodriguez.
Once you've read her article about these errors and inconsistencies, you’ll be astonished they were made in the first place - and you’ll have another plank in your platform when you are discussing the need for new laws in Canada.
See the front page of our February 2012 issue.
- Life, Death and the Kitchen Table
In this article, the 9 patient rights every Canadian should know about are listed and described. There is crucial information here for anyone who will ever use the Canadian healthcare system.
See page 5 of the December 2011 Newsletter.
- What Sue Rodriguez began, Gloria Taylor is determined to finish
It's been over 15 years since the Supreme Court of Canada decided against allowing Sue Rodriguez the right to die.
This article looks at the three primary arguments that are being used by Gloria Taylor, BC Civil Liberties and the other co-plaintiffs to once again challenge for the right to die.
See the front page of the December 2011 newsletter.
- The Look On Their Faces Told Me This Would be Painful
A DWD member shares a compelling story about the deaths by cancer of two beloved family members.
See the front page of the December 2011 newsletter.
- Hospital Gets Education in Patient Care
A DWD client has his rights violated by the staff at a hospital in rural Ontario (see page 1). DWD intervenes and our client then has the peaceful death he desired.
See the front page of our September 2011 newsletter.
- Choice in Dying Around the World
A brief look at developments in Korea, France and Australia among others - what has been happening in the Right to Die Movement around the world over the past year.
See page 3 of our September 2011 newsletter.
- Highlights of our Membership Survey
Highlights of our Membership Survey
Hundreds of members participated in this survey. If we did have choice in dying, what would it look like? What’s are our most critical activities – the results from these survey questions and more are on pages 4 and 5 of the September 2011 newsletter. - What's the scoop?
Almost twenty years after Sue Rodriguez' request for the right to die was turned down by the Supreme Count of Canada, three new court challenges have been launched.
Who is involved?
What exactly is being challenged?
What are the differences between the three cases?
Read the full May 2011 Newsletter Supplement for an objective description of the key elements of each case and the differences between them.
- No Need to Go to Switzerland
Many people are aware of the liberal assisted-dying laws in Switzerland, and some of you believe that a trip to Dignitas is your only option if you want to determine the nature and timing of your death. Not so. DWD Canada's Client Support Program provides practical options right here at home. February 2011 newsletter, front page
- Quebec College of Physicians and Surgeons Endorses Euthanasia
In this article, we print an extract of CBC's Dr. Brian Goldman's podcast. In this interview, Dr. Yves Robert, the Secretary of the College agrees that at some point, hastening the death of a patient is appropriate care. February 2011, page 3
- Youth: A Fountain of Hope
A DWD member shares the story of her mother's death, and the understanding and compassion evident as that death is seen through the eyes of a grandchild. February 2011, page 3
- Does Insurance Cover a Death Due to Suicide?
If you decide to end your own life, what happens to your life insurance coverage? In this article Martin Frith, Dying With Dignity Canada's Director of Education and Client Support discusses this frequently asked question. December 2010, Page 4
- Can a Catholic Hospital Override an Advance Care Directive?
Catholic hospitals in the US may be using their religious directives to overrule advance care directives. Could this happen in Canada? Ethicist Blair Henry talks about the differences between Canada and the U.S. and offers some suggestions for making sure your advance care directive is durable. December 2010, page 6
- Three Cheers for Quebec
Quebec shows leadership among Canadian provinces in addressing the issues around dying with dignity. A select committee of Quebec's Assemblee Nationale is hosting a major societal debate on medically assisted dying and euthanasia. December 2010, page 1
- Poll Shows Support is Increasing
In a Canada-wide poll conducted in early 2010, Angus Reid shows once again that many more Canadians support Physician Assisted Dying than are opposed or unsure. July 2010, page 6
- DWD Membership Lags Peer Organizations
Dying With Dignity Canada's membership, on a per capita basis, is significantly lower than that of the U.S. or the U.K. Here are some actions members can take to address it. July 2010, page 3
.png){kind=small}
