CVUU has taken a public stand in support of the legalization of medical aid in dying for Virginians. However, this is only one of the issues to consider when thinking about end-of-life planning. Thanks to our local Compassion and Choices organization, we have a unique opportunity to hear more about end-of-life planning and living your values to the very end.  

Barbara Coombs Lee, president emerita and senior advisor of Compassion & Choices and author of “Finish Strong: Putting Your Priorities First at the End of Life,” will be speaking via Zoom at the September Compassion and All Volunteer meeting on Sept. 20th from 6:30 to 8 PM. (Meeting ID: 860 5099 5270; Passcode: 913375; One tap mobile: +16469313860,,86050995270# US).

Barbara’s book is based on her experience as an ER and ICU nurse and physician assistant for 25 years before becoming an attorney and coauthoring the 1994 Oregon Death with Dignity Act and her role as president and CEO of Compassion & Choices and its predecessor organization, Compassion in Dying, for 22 years collectively.

Finish Strong is for those who know they should prepare for the end of life but are unsure how to think and talk about it. The book aims to help you live true to your values and priorities as vigor wanes and how to make sure your wishes are honored. This book describes concrete actions to take in the here and now to help live your best life to the end.

Barbara will share her experience about why planning is important, the gap in end-of-life care planning that Finish Strong fills, and some of the resources and actions she shares in the book, followed by an opportunity for you to ask her questions. If you haven’t read the book, you are encouraged to read it prior to the discussion on Sept. 20.