There are many forces that differentiate us in the world: politics, religion, beliefs, to name only a few. One thing that unites us is the desire to die with dignity. Asunción Alvarez, president of the World Federation of Right to Die Societies said, “Around the globe, many people fight to make a death with dignity possible for themselves and those they love. It is these people that we would like to put in the spotlight for World Right to Die Day 2022; the Champions, who through their support, activism, fighting, writing, willpower, vision and strength, are advocating to make right to die legislation possible all over the world.”
At 18.30 local time on November 2nd, Dying with Dignity NSW will post the World of Champions map on their website as will all 58 World Federation of Right to Die Societies spread through 30 countries across six continents.
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Rob Jonquière, Executive Director said, “The World of Champions tells the stories of the parents, children, siblings, activists, doctors, supporters and volunteers who are working to make dying with dignity possible from all the corners of the earth. It is a testimony of their struggle and the complexities they face in championing the right to die with dignity. In some areas, the map is empty, and while there are certainly Champions in each of these countries, their efforts are shrouded in silence without right to die societies to support their cause and tell their story. We hope that they will join us in time.”
“Choosing just one Champion to represent each Australian state must have been so challenging,” said Shayne Higson, the advocate selected to represent the NSW voluntary assisted dying campaign. “Dying with Dignity NSW has been advocating for decades, as have all the other interstate advocacy organisations, so it is an honour to have been chosen,” she said.
“Like so many advocates, Shayne Higson’s involvement in the campaign to legalise Voluntary Assisted Dying began after she witnessed the traumatic death of her beloved mother from an aggressive brain cancer in 2012,” said Penny Hackett, President of Dying with Dignity NSW.
“Shayne has devoted her life to this cause, as Vice President of Dying with Dignity NSW; by running as the lead candidate for the Voluntary Euthanasia Party in five elections – state and federal; and by supporting the campaigns of other Dying with Dignity organisations around Australia.”
“What distinguishes Shayne Higson’s advocacy is her “never give up” attitude, her optimism in the face of bleak prospects and her belief in the power of respectful conversations.”
“Shayne is highly respected within the dying with dignity community for her endless compassion, kindness and her steadfast and selfless commitment. Her mum would be extremely proud.”
At the biannual World Federation Conference of Right to Die Societies in Toronto, Canada, WFRtDS president Asunción Alvarez will unveil the World of Champions map at a special presentation at 18.30 [EDT] and discuss the achievements of our Champions thus far in 2022 and the challenges we face in 2023.
Join us in celebrating the unity and commitment of Champions worldwide on November 2nd, World Right to Die Day, by reading and sharing their stories as well as joining us in supporting their advocacy.