Dear John,

“It’s great to be alive,” Jeanette reflects on the eve of her 70th birthday. 

At the age of 55, Jeanette was diagnosed with inoperable colon cancer. As an Oregon resident, she knew she was eligible for physician-assisted suicide, so she went to her first appointment with her oncologist, Dr. Stevens, seeking a life-ending prescription, not treatment. 

Stevens opposed the Oregon law, believing that helping a patient commit suicide “would be the ultimate abandonment.” Stevens knew that Jeanette’s cancer, though inoperable, was treatable. He was prepared to fight for Jeanette’s life, and he encouraged her to do the same. 

Fifteen years later, Jeanette reflects on her life and knows deep down that, “It’s great to be alive.” 

Each September, we commemorate National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month to spread awareness about the many lives that suicide claims. At Americans United for Life, we believe that the push for physician-assisted suicide stands in direct opposition to the efforts of suicide prevention and awareness. That’s because there is no such thing as a good suicide. 

I hope you will join us today by giving your best gift in support of Americans United for Life’s efforts to protect all life—from life’s beginning to its end stages. Currently, our team of attorneys is finalizing our work on AUL’s end-of-life model legislation, including the Suicide by Physician Ban Act and the Suicide Coercion Prevention Act. Your support in honor of Suicide Prevention Awareness Month will support AUL’s ongoing efforts to educate lawmakers, combat telemedical suicide, and safeguard healthcare providers’ conscience rights. Please consider giving here today: www.aul.org/give.  

I know from your generous past support that you share in our mission to promote life across the spectrum: from conception through natural death. You have stood with us against legislation that devalues life, and I hope you will do so again today.  

We are working on Capitol Hill and in state capitals across the country to form coalitions with pro-life and disability rights organizations to educate lawmakers on the harm of physician-assisted suicide. We have met with numerous policymakers for increased federal and state involvement to protect vulnerable end-of-life individuals. 

A good end of life is one in which the elderly, disabled, or dying are cared for, treated compassionately, and relieved of suffering. These ends can be achieved without relying on physician-assisted suicide. We believe that physician-assisted suicide is an ageist, ableist attack on human dignity and it must stop now. Join us today to defend those who need our help the most. AUL will stand by these fragile lives and support every effort to care for those at the end of life with compassion and care. Please give your best gift today in support of lives like Jeanette’s: www.aul.org/give. 

Honoring every life,

Carolyn McDonnell

Litigation Counsel

Americans United for Life

PS: Help us defend valuable lives by investing in the work of our Suicide by Physician Ban Act and the Suicide Coercion Prevention Act. Donate here today: www.aul.org/give.  

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