Current Issues in the Right to Die: Europe

December 6, 2025. Doctors play a crucial role in the way we die as essential advisors, medical providers, and coordinators of our healthcare decisions and plans. In this meeting, a panel of 3 doctors discuss why they support Medical Aid in Dying (MAID), what changes they’d like to see in the law, and how they personally want to die. The panel also answered questions from the meeting participants. SPEAKERS: Curtis Krock, MD, A retired pulmonologist who practiced for 20 years and a member of the Hemlock Society Board of Directors. Robert Gunn, MD, A retired physician whose wife chose Medical Aid in Dying. Flora Danque, MD, Medical Director of Apreva Hospice.

October 19, 2025. Board Secretary Christie Golemb and lifetime member Pamela Harper present a history of our organization and an overview of end-of-life options.

September 23, 2025. This program celebrates the publication of There at the End: Voices from Final Exit Network—A Celebration of 20 Years. Guest speakers Jim Van Buskirk, the anthology’s editor, and Jenny Mowry, a senior exit guide and anthology contributor, discuss their essays, their roles within FEN, and share readings from the book. You’ll hear the powerful stories of individuals and their families who come to terms with their end-of-life decisions with the support of FEN’s trained volunteers. Jim and Jenny also share insight into how to access FEN’s free services and detailed the role of FEN Exit Guides who serve as end-of-life coordinators, guides, and confidants. An information question and answer session follows the speakers' presentations.

Beverly Thorn, PhD, a psychologist and certified End-Of-Life Doula, discusses her new book, Before I Lose My Own Mind: Navigating Life as a Dementia Caregiver, telling her own personal story of caring for her husband with dementia. The book is aimed at caring for the caregiver, who often gets overlooked. Since dementia is not an all or nothing thing, there is time before one loses decisional capacity to consider and talk about life values, healthcare and dementia care preferences, and end-of-life wishes. Planning and communication are key in a society where no one wants to talk about dementia or death. Visit Dr. Thorn's website: https://drbeverlythorn.com/