Thank you for creating a more compassionate Australia
From our State of VAD report and trans-Tasman conference to helping to pass Australia's most person-centric assisted dying law, 2024 was a landmark year for choice. Your support made all the difference.
2024 was a phenomenal year for choice at the end of life and we couldn’t have done it without you.
Together we:
- launched our inaugural State of VAD report at Parliament House in Canberra
- hosted the second trans-Tasman Voluntary Assisted Dying Conference, attended by 450 VAD practitioners, policy makers and patient advocates in Brisbane
- contributed to statutory reviews in Victoria and Western Australia, and a joint statement signed by 19 health and community groups calling for the use of telehealth in VAD
- told the inspiring stories of the people who choose VAD and those who help them
- celebrated the passage of the most person-centric VAD law yet in the ACT
- welcomed the Expert Panel’s recommendation for a VAD law in the Northern Territory .
We are sometimes asked, ‘What are you still fighting for?’
Our answer: there is so much more to do.
In 2025 we will:
- ensure the NT begins the process to join every other jurisdiction in Australia in drafting and passing a VAD law
- publish our ground-breaking book The Power of Choice, which tells the stories of hope, struggle, courage and acceptance of people on the VAD path. Register interest in buying your copy
- redouble our efforts to reform the Commonwealth Criminal Code so electronic communications can be used by VAD services
- release our research paper on the complexities of VAD and dementia
- continue to work to remove barriers to access and create a more sustainable VAD system.
As this year draws to a close, we especially remember and pay tribute to all those who embraced self-determination and choice and who are no longer with us.
Please note, the Go Gentle office will close on Friday 20 December and reopen on Monday 6 January.
We wish you a relaxing and safe holiday season and look forward to reconnecting in the new year.
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Dr Linda Swan CEO |
P.S. As a charity we rely on your generous donations. If you can, please chip in a few dollars to support our 2025 plans?