The first Washington State resident to make use of the new assisted suicide law was Linda Fleming, a 66 year-old Sequim woman who had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.  With the aid of her physician, she took her own life on May 21^st.  Assisted suicide was legalized in Washington State by a vote of the people (Initiative 1000) in November, 2008.  The law took effect March 5, 2009.  WSCC opposed I-1000 as it was a dangerous measure that did not provide adequate safeguards and only offered a false choice.

WSCC is saddened that Ms. Fleming did not have the resources she felt she needed to enable her to die a natural death.  Her death highlights the need to have compassionate alternatives to assisted suicide:

·       Hospice care

·       Specialized pain medications

·       Palliative/comfort care

·       Loving care of family, friends, and a broad network of compassionate caregivers

Advances in medicine, pain-management, palliative care, and our understanding of the dying process have made compassion and care the real choice for those facing death.