Good afternoon friend,
I have some sad news to share. Noel Conway, long-time Dignity in Dying campaigner with motor neurone disease, chose to have the ventilator he relied on to breathe removed and has died. While he managed to control the final circumstances of his death with the support of his wonderful hospice team, the anxiety and uncertainty that Noel and his family experienced to the end could so easily have been avoided were there an assisted dying law.
Noel spent the last years of his life fighting for a law that would allow him to die on his terms. A passionate and award-winning campaigner, Noel did all he could to put assisted dying firmly on the political agenda in the UK. Shortly before he died, he dictated a powerful final statement that he wanted to share with you.
Noel’s court case began in 2017 and was critical in turning the tides among decision-makers and in the media. Supporters like you came out in their thousands to support him, sharing stories, letters, words of thanks and a commitment to stand with Noel. We were all proud to campaign alongside him and declare, “I’m with Noel”.
When Noel’s case was rejected by the courts, he turned his attention to Parliament; he lobbied MPs and spoke powerfully to the media about how he felt the UK’s blanket ban on assisted dying failed him and all terminally ill people. He undertook this huge commitment knowing any change would most likely come too late for him.
Noel will be sorely missed by all of us at Dignity in Dying and we extend our sincere condolences to Carol, their family and friends. Sceptical and determined, Noel was an iconoclast who brought us closer to having safe, compassionate choice at the end of life.
I know you’ll join me in thanking Noel for all that he’s done for the campaign. When we change the law, I shall raise a glass to Noel.
Warm wishes,
