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Newsletter October 1, 2022
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This Issue's Contents
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Voter Guide for November 8th By Leesa Stevens and AZELO's Advocacy Legislative Team
Our work on contacting and questioning the candidates who are running for office this November has paid off, and we now have a confirmed list of 36 candidates who are in support of Medical Aid in Dying. Write down the names of those in your own legislative district and if you are still unsure who to vote for this November, consider voting for those from this list. Spread the word as well, to your friends and family members.
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Along with this list of MAID supporters, our Legislative Advocacy team discovered 27 candidates who are firmly opposed, and 8 who said they are undecided. The stance on MAID of 69 other candidates who were unresponsive to our question remain unknown.
If you are curious about the names of the candidates who are opposed, just email me at l.stevens@azendoflifeoptions.org and I'll send you the complete list.
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Turning Arizona Volunteers into Arizona Activists By Mary Ganapol, Southern Arizona Lead
Death with Dignity National Center is one of our national partners and they are focused on helping advocates pass a MAID law in all 50 states. In any given year, almost 20 states have MAID bills that are proposed, including Arizona. AZELO belongs to a group spear-headed by Death with Dignity called the Dignity 50 Roadmap. We meet monthly via Zoom with people in other states who are doing what we do: educating voters and lawmakers alike about MAID in order to pass a law in their state.
Some states are further ahead than Arizona and we are much further ahead than others. New Mexico passed their law in 2021 and they weigh in with valuable information about their efforts to implement the law. The beauty of the group is that we can brain-storm ideas and energize each other by talking about what’s working in our efforts, our social media campaigns, etc. When I get off this monthly Zoom, I’m fired up about getting out there and figuring out how to transform Arizona volunteers into activists!
If you’re interested in learning more about the Dignity 50 Roadmap, check out this page https://deathwithdignity.org/resources/dignity50-roadmap-series/ where you can sign up for a self-paced series of three topics to get you started:
Model Language and Terminology (approximately 30 minutes) Points of View (approximately 40 minutes) The Legislative Process (approximately 45 minutes)
As their website says: “We are looking forward to being on the road with you!” |
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AZELO Volunteer Runs for Arizona State House By Sanda Clark, Action Team Member |
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In a spirit of profound gratitude for all this country has given to me, with a determination to build a better, more sustainable, more inclusive Arizona for everyone. I am running to represent you in the AZ House, LD19.
Born in Bucharest, Romania, I came to the University of TX in Austin in 1968. There I met my life partner and husband, cellist and playwright Harry Clark. Together we have enjoyed a tough but rewarding life in the field of chamber music. |
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Many people ask why I decided to run for State Representative and I explain that my experiences while growing up in Bucharest and now witnessing the events in Ukraine has prompted me to stop complaining and instead get up and do something! Then there's my life in music which has gifted me with perseverance, determination and the joy teamwork provides. I am passionate to keep our Republic, and to promote and restore civility and decency to our town square.
I promise to call it as I see it, to work to improve and preserve our freedoms, protect the planet, protect and improve our healthcare, support a decent wage for workers and good education for our kids!
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Why Arizona Needs MAID, My Story By Lee, Prescott |
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In November of 2019, my husband Louis was diagnosed with ALS, or Lou Gherig’s disease. A few days later he told me he had no intention of seeing it through to the final stage when he would be paralyzed from the neck down. I wasn’t surprised. I remember vividly when we were in our 20’s and hearing about an acquaintance on life support, he said that was the worst thing he could imagine. |
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Then, seven months after he was diagnosed, while my son and I were out for an afternoon hike, he overdosed on the meds Hospice had given him. The letter he left simply stated that his suffering was more than he could endure, and he made the choice to take his own life. When I phoned Hospice, I told the person who took my call about the letter, and was shocked by their response, “You are no longer on hospice, call 911 immediately.” I did what I was told.
The 911 dispatcher ordered us to start CPR. Within minutes sirens spiraled through our neighborhood. First came the firetrucks, then the ambulance, then a detective, and then the boys in the Kevlar vests with their automatic pistols—when I say boys, I’m not being facetious, they were very young. |
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I was horrified when I heard someone call for the paddle, dumbstruck that the orange Do Not Resuscitate signs he had posted were meaningless. Despite my grief, I felt relief when I heard one of them say, “It’s too late.”
They wouldn't let us near him. They stayed for hours following me around the house, taking dozens of pictures and quizzing us. Finally, they told me the coroner was on his way and advised me to stay clear because it would be disturbing to witness. I know they were just doing their job, and I was grateful they broke one rule and let me spend the last few minutes with him, but I was pulsing with anxiety and felt disconnected, the world swirling around me like a dream.
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My nerves still ignite when I talk about that day, but time has allowed me to focus on the patchwork of memories stitched together over the decades, memories born of love, laughter, and the losses we shared together.
Lou April 8, 1950 to June 15, 2020 |
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Upcoming Events
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Six Choices at the End of Life: Real Patients, Real Stories
Presented by AZELO Chair, Dr Dwight Moore, this zoom presentation describes the six choices people have about how they will exit this life and makes a case for considering Medical Aid in Dying as one of the choices. Audience participation is encouraged!
Register by clicking this link: Your zoom link will be emailed to you, so check your spam folder if you don't see it!
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How to Advocate for Medical Aid in Dying in Arizona |
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Another new AZELO Webinar!
This webinar can be described as MAID 101. We will take a detailed look at what the medical aid in dying (MAID) law is all about: the qualifications and the safeguards. We'll debunk the misconceptions and confirm the facts surrounding this topic which is often misunderstood by voters and lawmakers alike. |
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Want to feel comfortable talking to friends and family about MAID? By the end of this class, you will feel confident advocating for a MAID law in Arizona.
Monday, October 17th from 6:00 - 7:00 pm Arizona Time
Register by clicking this link:
Your zoom link will be emailed to you, so check your spam folder if you don't see it! |
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Jack Has A Plan A Community Event in Tucson at the Loft Cinema Free and open to the public (suggested $5 donation) Thanks to our additional sponsors:
View the trailer: https://jackdocumentary.com/
Please share this event with family, friends, on social media and your email contacts! Let’s fill the 370 seats and show our support for Arizona End of Life Options. Need flyers or movie posters? Email JackHasAPlan@AzEndOfLifeOptions.org
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ntry Club, Tucson|
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October Pride
If you are interested in helping, drop a note to Angela Shultz at aschultz@compassionandchoices.org
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Click on this blue box to be taken to our donation form. If you have used this online form in the past, you may need to clear your cache/browser history if you get an error message. Then try again.
However, if you'd rather mail in a check, please send it to: Death with Dignity Political Fund
Thank you, Dear Donors!
Your generous gifts are being put to good use! |
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Follow us on social media! |
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Arizona End of Life Options
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