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Knowledge is empowerment—especially when it comes to life’s most profound decisions. Even now, twelve years after the adoption of Act 39, many Vermonters do not know about this option or have mistaken impressions about when and how it is available. That’s why we are expanding our programs to deliver vital information to more individuals, families, and healthcare professionals across the state. With your continued support, we’re deepening our impact, honoring autonomy, and helping more people approach this part of life with dignity, clarity, and peace. Read on for recent highlights about Patient Choices Vermont’s Outreach and Education Programs. Community Conversations Are Blossoming Earlier this May, I was delighted to be invited by the Castleton Senior Center to give a presentation on medical aid in dying. Aha, I thought, what a wonderful opportunity to provide much-needed education and explore more of my new home state. Over a dozen engaged community members joined in a meaningful conversation about Act 39, Vermont’s medical-aid-in-dying law.  Just a few days later, on May 6, PCV was one of dozens of organizations represented at the University of Vermont Larner College of Medicine’s Gerontology Symposium. Our team had wonderful conversations with professionals dedicated to supporting older Vermonters, many of whom stopped by to pick up brochures and ask thoughtful questions about end-of-life options. Want Us to Speak in Your Community? PCV’s Outreach and Education Team is here for you! We’d love to visit your senior center, church, book club, or any group of interested individuals. Request a presentation by filling out this quick request form or email us at [email protected]. We’ll also be posting a calendar of upcoming Act 39-related events on our website soon, so stay tuned. 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. A Landmark Victory in Delaware Beyond Vermont, there’s even more exciting news: On May 20th, Delaware became the 12th state to legalize medical aid in dying! Governor Meyer signed the Ron Silverio/Heather Block End of Life Options Act (HB140) into law, marking a significant win for compassionate end-of-life care. We are especially proud of PCV Board Member Dr. Diana Barnard, who provided testimony over the years to support this effort. PCV stands ready to assist Delaware advocates as they implement their new law. Read more about Delaware’s win and other state legislative efforts here and here. Thank You for Fueling This Work
Finally, a heartfelt thank you to everyone who has already contributed to our ongoing Spring Fundraising Drive. Your generosity, from Vermont and far beyond, makes this work possible. One supporter from Minnesota included this with her generous contribution: “With gratitude for the good counsel, choices, and peace of mind that you gave to my wife, who died in hospice…” That peace of mind is exactly what PCV is here to protect. As we wrap up this fundraising season, we invite you to join us--out on the road and in your communities—to help ensure all Vermonters understand their full range of end-of-life options.  Vermont Governor Shumlin signing Act 39 in 2013. We paused this week to mark May 20 as the twelfth anniversary of the passage of Act 39. A lot has happened in twelve years. Hundreds of people have been deeply grateful to be able to choose medical aid in dying in Vermont. Thousands more have consulted with their doctors and with Patient Choices Vermont (PCV) about their options and taken comfort knowing that Act 39 provides a peaceful end at the time of their own choosing.
Spring fundraising for PCV is well under way
We wish to thank those of you who have already generously responded to our Spring fundraising drive with your financial gift. If you’ve not yet had an opportunity to lend your support, please take a moment to consider what end-of-life choice means to you. You can help ensure that Patient Choices Vermont and our team of volunteers continue to provide a very comprehensive level of service, free of charge, to all who seek our help by making your donation today. In 2016 when Act 39 was attacked by a lawsuit brought by the Christian Medical and Dental Society, Patient Choices Vermont was here to defend your rights. Today, amid the turmoil and disruption in the national and world news, and yes, the outright attacks on medical aid in dying and other rights of bodily autonomy, PCV is here boldly standing for the right to retain a measure of control toward the end of life.As I settle into my new role as Executive Director at Patient Choices Vermont (PCV), I am struck by two things: Vermonters are a hardy bunch, and Vermonters are so very kind. Our volunteers demonstrate both of these qualities every day, stepping up to support individuals who are struggling in their end-of-life journey, offering compassionate guidance at this poignant time in life.
We recently had the privilege of supporting our neighbors in New Hampshire when attending the NH House Judiciary Committee hearing on the New Hampshire End of Life Freedom Act, HB254. Patient Choices Vermont (PCV) President Betsy Walkerman and former Vermont Lieutenant Governor David Zuckerman joined hundreds of others in providing oral and written testimony in support of this bi-partisan bill.
We’re excited to let you know about progress being made right now to make medical aid in dying legal in our neighboring state of New Hampshire. The New Hampshire End of Life Freedom Act, HB254, will be heard by the New Hampshire House Judiciary Committee on January 29. We invite you to join Patient Choices Vermont (PCV) in support of this critical, bi-partisan legislation.
I am one of those mainly anonymous people who make the work of Patient Choices Vermont possible. Like you, I know how much better I feel knowing that medical aid in dying (MAID) is available to me and my loved ones. Like many of you, I regularly donate money to PCV to help ensure that this right remains legally available and, as importantly, becomes available in practice to more and more people as time goes on.
On behalf of the Patient Choices Vermont (PCV) Board of Directors, I am pleased to announce that we have appointed Amy Bruce as PCV's new Executive Director.
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