This serene image, "Helping with the Knitting" by Vermont artist Chris Billis, beautifully captures the essence of our work at Patient Choices Vermont. We knit together networks of healthcare professionals, we untangle complexities so that people facing end-of-life decisions can find a path forward, and we seek peaceful endings for those we support. On this Giving Tuesday, December 3, 2024, we invite you to be part of this compassionate community. Your support helps us ensure that everyone is empowered to make fully informed decisions toward the end of life. The work we do requires a substantial budget. Every dollar donated helps us provide essential services, from training healthcare workers to offering support to patients, friends and families. PCV's website serves as a hub, providing the backbone for all of our education, outreach and support work. Your generous contributions fund both our technical resources and our small staff dedicated to education and advocating for patient autonomy and informed choices at the end of life. As more people learn about the option of aid in dying, demand for our services has multiplied. We are grateful for the many volunteers who have stepped forward to strengthen our network as they dedicate their time on the PCV Helpline and work as Wayfinders. Others help increase our effectiveness by organizing community outreach sessions or simply engaging in meaningful conversations with neighbors about end-of-life options. These grassroots efforts are vital threads in our growing fabric of support. As you consider your charitable contributions this Giving Tuesday, remember that your support is more than just a donation; it's a commitment to a movement that values compassion, dignity, and choice. By contributing to Patient Choices Vermont, you are helping to weave a stronger, more supportive community for those entering life's final chapter. Or mail a check to: Patient Choices Vermont PO Box 671 Shelburne, VT 05482 PCV is a 501(c)(3) non-profit. Your contributions are tax-deductible. If you appreciate Chris Billis' artwork as much as I do, check out her 2025 calendar featuring "Helping with the Knitting" at ChrisBillisDesigns.com. Thank you for joining us in this vital work and helping to knit together a future where everyone has access to the care and options they deserve. With heartfelt gratitude, Betsy J. Walkerman, President Patient Choices Vermont email: [email protected] phone: 802.448.0542 Thank you to the many people who responded so quickly to our fall fundraising letter! We're putting your donations right to work and we deeply appreciate notes like this one which bring special meaning to our mission:
The team at Patient Choices Vermont (PCV) is on the move, educating and engaging Vermonters throughout the state and collaborating with end-of-life choice advocates nationwide.
We are pleased to announce that Patient Choices Vermont (PCV) is seeking a full-time Executive Director. You can find the detailed job description here. Please share this opportunity with anyone you believe would be an excellent candidate.
...and Porter Medical Center’s Grief Support GroupThree-quarters of Americans still do not have access to medical aid in dying (MAID) in their home states. As more people around the country learn about this option through media reporting, popular books and films, they are seeking access to aid in dying here in Vermont and in Oregon. We are the only two states that have amended our MAID laws to confirm that a person's state of residency should not stand in the way of their access to this healthcare service.
Experience the Heartfelt Journey of Act 39; A Play That Challenges Perspectives on Life and Death8/25/2024
Prepare to embark on a profound theatrical journey as the Highlands Center for the Arts (HCA) presents the highly anticipated tour of Rob Mermin’s original play, Act 39. Following its sold-out premiere run at Goddard’s Haybarn Theater in the summer of 2023, this poignant production will grace stages in Greensboro, Burlington, and Woodstock from August 29 to September 14, 2024.
Patient Choices Vermont (PCV) has taken an important step in supporting both patients and clinicians by publishing a standardized set of instructions for the use of medical aid in dying in Vermont.
Previously, patients and their caregivers have had to make extra calls to their doctors receive answers to common questions like:
"You’ve been so helpful. I’m so grateful that you called me back even on a Saturday. I’m just trying to arrange what my mother wants. I know the end is pretty soon, and it’s hard.” - PCV Helpline callerNavigating the end-of-life process can be incredibly challenging for patients and their loved ones. Evaluating all the options, including medical aid in dying, and tackling the necessary steps can feel daunting, even overwhelming. This is where our compassionate Helpline team steps in, offering knowledgeable and caring assistance to patients as well as their spouses, children, siblings, and friends.
“My family is grateful every day that Maggie’s death was like her life,
one of powerful personal choice.” ~ Katy Lesser |
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