British Columbia: Right-to-Die advocate loses battle with cancer

Description:

John "Rocket" Hiltz, age 58, died on Dec. 3 of esophageal cancer. Hiltz lobbied for Bill C-384 (Right to Die with Dignity), appearing on Vancouver radio and writing to newspapers. In a letter to the Comox Valley Record (see Links), Hiltz had written: The issue never seems to receive the attention it deserves 'til death comes knocking on your door, but believe me, if you or anyone else could spend just one day in my shoes, you'd soon change your tune.

At Hiltz' request, long-time friend Eileen Bennett will be manning a table at his wake in Cumberland complete with petition calling on the federal government to pass the legislation. Bennett said she spent the last week with Hiltz and his wife as he went through the final phase of his life. "I'd never even thought about it, particularly," said Bennett of euthanasia. "Now I believe in it more than ever."

[Note: Some other recent stories related to this topic are in the Links: section below.]

Links:

To read the full article click on one of these links, both of which go to the same destination. A short link is provided for the convenience of readers. Also, readers may search and browse past advisories on the web (see bottom.)

Source:

Tetrault, Marcel. "Advocate for right to die legislation loses his short battle against cancer". Comox Valley Echo. December 8, 2009. <www.canada.com/Advocate+right+legislation+loses+short+battle+against+cancer/2317973/story.html>. Comox Valley Echo, 407-D Fifth St., Courtenay, BC, V9N 1J7, Canada. Copyright Canwest News Service.

Tags:

Tags (or keywords) briefly indicate some major topics of the report.

  • Bill C-384, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (right to die with dignity)

  • euthanasia

  • British Columbia

  • Canada

ID:

The EuthaNEWSia ID for this advisory is: enid200912098868.
Mailed: Wednesday, December 9, 2009 14:20:49 -0600
at Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.

Etcetera:

EuthaNEWSia is a free Canadian news advisory service covering end-of-life issues such as right to die, assisted suicide, and euthanasia. EuthaNEWSia is produced by the Right to Die Society of Canada which works toward a good death for all, including open, regulated and equitable access to euthanasia and assisted suicide. The editor is Michael Dawson <editor@euthanewsia.ca>. 

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