Esther Rantzen says she's joined assisted dying clinic
Photo credit: PA Media The original article was written in specialist language, we translated it to free English for easier understanding: The image can be credited to PA Media.
TV personality Dame Esther Rantzen has recently announced that she has become a member of the assisted dying facility Dignitas in Switzerland.
According to what was said, the woman who is 83 years old mentioned in an interview with the BBC that she is presently going through an extraordinary procedure to treat her terminal lung cancer.
She shared with Radio 4's The Today podcast that if her plan fails, she may go to Zurich where euthanasia is permitted.
However, she expressed her excitement for this "valuable" Christmas season, which she never expected to experience.
Assisting someone with suicide is not allowed in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. If caught, one could face a prison sentence of up to 14 years. Although Scotland doesn't have a law specifically for assisted suicide, euthanasia is against the law and could lead to charges of murder or manslaughter.
Dignitas is a non-profit organization that offers physician-assisted dying services to its members who are suffering from illnesses that are bound to cause death, severe pain or disability. The members are required to provide medical evidence and make a rational request for this service.
Dame Esther explained that she decided to become a member of Dignitas because she wants her family to remember her without the pain of witnessing a loved one suffering during their final moments. She believes that if her family has to witness her death in pain, it will overshadow all the happy memories they have shared together.
The person who was speaking on the radio mentioned that if she made the choice to end her life with assistance from the organization Dignitas, it would create a complicated situation for her loved ones as they may feel inclined to accompany her. This would put them at risk of facing legal repercussions from law enforcement.
The report on assisted dying and assisted suicide in England and Wales will be released soon by the Health and Social Care Committee. The inquiry began in December 2022, with the aim to study various viewpoints surrounding the topic.
When asked what she’d do if given the title of prime minister for a week, Dame Esther stated that she’d push for an unrestricted vote on assisted dying.
She stated that the law should align itself with the desires of the people, which she believes is crucial.
Esther is a well-known personality for hosting That's Life! on BBC for over two decades and starting the organization ChildLine. She suggested that individuals should have the freedom to decide "when and how they want to leave."
I understand the points made about not wanting to cause discomfort or stress, but it is important to ensure that you do not make a mistaken judgment.
If you only consider the negative outcome, it's important to also review the benefits.
Advocates of assisted dying argue that a modification in the legal system would grant individuals with terminal ailments or those undergoing severe agony more authority in deciding on the means and timing of their passing.
However, those who are against the proposed law change claim that it could pose a risk to individuals who are in a fragile state.
In 1993, Dame Esther was pictured alongside her colleagues from the TV program That's Life!. The presenters featured in the photo were Howard Leader, Kevin Devine, and Gavin Campbell.
Dame Esther, who was diagnosed with cancer almost a year ago, revealed during an interview with Today that she had not anticipated living with the disease for such a prolonged period.
"When I first fell ill, I believed my time was limited, perhaps only a few weeks or months left. My birthday in June came along, and I was surprised to have made it that far. Now, as Christmas approaches, I never thought I would still be here, but here I am. Of course, anything can happen in life," she expressed.
When asked about the moment she would like to experience again, Dame Esther mentioned a future occasion. She expressed her desire to relive the upcoming Christmas celebration with her family, which she didn't anticipate having, as it holds a great value to her. According to her, it will be a cherished memory.
She expressed her desire to be able to experience it again after it's finished.
When Dame Esther found out about her illness, she expressed deep gratitude to all those who had brought happiness to her life. She resides in Hampshire.
The lady declared in the month of May that she was suffering from fourth stage lung cancer, which is considered to be the highest or final stage. This indicates that the cancer cells have progressed and are no longer limited to the lungs, but have spread throughout the body or from one lung to the other.
Esther, a respected figure in the TV industry, had a fruitful stint as a television presenter. Her long-standing association with BBC's consumer program, That's Life!, lasted for 21 years.
She is recognized for establishing ChildLine in 1986. It was the initial nationwide hotline for children who are at risk or experiencing distress.
The Silver Line was established by her in 2013, which is a non-profit organization aiding aged people who are feeling isolated and lonely.
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