Brittany Maynard brought the right-to-die movement to the forefront of discussion with massive social media attention when she decided she wanted to have the choice after being diagnosed with glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer, in January. She decided to end her life on Saturday.
Sean Crowley, spokesman for the non-profit organization Compassion & Choices, confirmed Maynard’s death Sunday evening. “She died peacefully on Saturday, Nov. 1 in her Portland home, surrounded by family and friends.”
A statement from Compassion & Choices said Maynard suffered “increasingly frequent and longer seizures, severe head and neck pain, and stroke-like symptoms.” She chose to take the “aid-in-dying medication she received months ago.”
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On Oct. 6, Maynard’s YouTube video was posted and has now received nearly 10 million views.
The news about Maynard’s decision to go through with her assisted suicide plan may come as a surprise to some because of the video she posted last Wednesday which stated: “I still feel good enough and I still have enough joy and I still laugh and smile with my family and friends enough that it doesn’t seem like the right time right now.” But unfortunately things took a turn for the worse.
Of course, right-to-die is a source of controversy when it comes to legality and religious perspectives.
Mixed feelings about Brittany Maynard. Brain cancer is a horrific way to die but, being raised traditional Catholic, suicide still a no-no.
— featherchick (@featherchick) November 3, 2014
Maynard moved with her family from California to Oregon, where she could legally die with medication prescribed under the Oregon Death With Dignity Act. Montana, Washington, New Mexico, and Vermont have similar laws.
