Brittany Maynard

Brittany Maynard (November 19, 1984 – November 1, 2014) was an American woman who became a prominent advocate for the right to die movement in the United States. Maynard, diagnosed with terminal brain cancer, chose to end her life under the Oregon Death with Dignity Act. Her decision to publicly share her story and her choice to die with dignity brought national and international attention to the debate over assisted suicide and euthanasia.

Early Life and Diagnosis

Brittany Maynard was born in Anaheim, California. She graduated from the University of California, Berkeley, with a bachelor's degree in psychology and later earned a master's degree in education from the University of California, Irvine. In January 2014, Maynard was diagnosed with a glioblastoma multiforme, a highly aggressive and terminal form of brain cancer. After undergoing partial craniotomy and radiation, she was given a prognosis of six months to live.

Decision to Die with Dignity

Faced with a terminal diagnosis and the prospect of severe pain and suffering, Maynard and her family decided to move to Oregon, one of the few states in the U.S. where physician-assisted suicide is legal under the Oregon Death with Dignity Act. Oregon's law allows terminally ill residents to end their lives through the voluntary self-administration of lethal medications, expressly prescribed by a physician for that purpose.

Maynard became a vocal advocate for the right to die with dignity, sharing her story through various media outlets and social media, sparking a national conversation about end-of-life choices and the ethics of assisted suicide. Her advocacy included partnering with the nonprofit organization Compassion & Choices, through which she shared her experiences and reasons for choosing to end her life on her own terms.

Death

Brittany Maynard ended her life on November 1, 2014, surrounded by her family in her Portland home. Her decision to publicly share her journey and choice to die with dignity has continued to inspire and influence the right-to-die and assisted suicide legislation debates across the United States and around the world.

Legacy

Maynard's story has had a significant impact on the right-to-die movement, contributing to the growing public support for assisted suicide and euthanasia legislation in various states and countries. Her advocacy is credited with helping to advance legislation in California, where the End of Life Option Act was signed into law in October 2015, making it the fifth U.S. state to allow physician-assisted suicide.

See Also

• Euthanasia
• Assisted suicide
• Oregon Death with Dignity Act
• Compassion & Choices
• Glioblastoma multiforme