This undated file photo provided by the Maynard family shows Brittany Maynard, a 29-year-old terminally ill woman who plans to take her own life under Oregon’s death with dignity law. Maynard has fulfilled a wish on her bucket list when she visited the Grand Canyon with her family last week.PORTLAND, Ore. – A 29-year-old terminally ill woman who plans to take her life under Oregon’s death-with-dignity law has fulfilled a wish on her bucket list: She visited the Grand Canyon.
Brittany Maynard visited the national park with her family last week. Maynard, who has advanced brain cancer, has said she plans to take advantage of Oregon’s Death with Dignity Act and end her own life Saturday, though she could still change her mind.
Maynard and her husband moved to Oregon from Northern California because Oregon allows terminally ill patients to end their lives with lethal medications prescribed by a doctor.
More than 750 people in Oregon used the law to die as of Dec. 31, 2013. The median age of the deceased was 71. Only six were younger than 34, like Maynard.
Maynard has become an advocate for the group Compassion & Choices, which seeks to expand death-with-dignity laws around the nation. A nationwide media campaign featuring Maynard’s story has gone viral.