VAD & dementia: Let's keep the fire burning
We've achieved so much since I launched Go Gentle ten years ago. But there is one issue you've told us matters to you - dementia - and we are committed to pursuing that work.
This year marks 10 years since I launched Go Gentle and with it our campaign for voluntary assisted dying laws.
I spoke about the needless suffering of terminally ill people who were denied choice and autonomy.
And I promised I would light a fire so big no politician could ignore it.
In the decade since, that fire has burned bigger and brighter than I could have imagined. Every state and territory, bar the Northern Territory, has legalised VAD. Every major medical organisation now accepts VAD as legitimate end-of-life care.
For all this progress, there is still work to do. We must:
- keep the NT to its promise to introduce a VAD law this year. No more excuses or delays.
- ensure people in rural and regional areas have the same access to VAD as people in cities, which includes lifting the telehealth ban.
- spotlight the individuals, hospitals and aged care homes who continue to obstruct people’s legal VAD choice, and see that our laws are toughened to stamp out these acts of medical abuse.
We cannot do it without you. Please will you donate this end-of-financial-year and help Go Gentle achieve these important goals?
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VAD and dementia
There is another issue you've told us matters to you: dementia.
I want you to know that we are listening and taking your concerns seriously.
Dementia, including Alzheimer's disease, is now Australia’s biggest killer – an illness with no known cure, which causes profound distress to families, friends and carers.
Like Dementia Australia, we support the right of people living with terminal cognitive decline to exercise autonomy and choice over their end-of-life care.
This is a complex issue which requires extensive research to identify any possible future reforms.
You've made it clear that you want us to take action, and Go Gentle is committed to supporting and pursuing that work.
Help us achieve this ambitious agenda with a gift before 30 June.
Together we have achieved so much already.
Let’s keep the fire burning.
Andrew Denton
