Chapter Chatter and Challenge

"I'm really excited that our Iowa Chapter has adopted
an activist stance for the coming year. We are

working on three major front: increasing public

discussion on end-of-life issues; increasing

membership and increasing personal contact with

legislators.

Believing that we need to get Iowans thinking and

talking about our issues as well as increasing use of

Advance Directives, we are embarking on an outreach

program which we hope will reach several hundred

Iowans and provide Advance Directives to those who

have not yet filled them out -- probably 60% of the

population.

A vigorous Membership Chair, Margaret Foster of Des

Moines, is writing to members to encourage them to

renew their membership and participate in state

activities. To further our push for membership, our

Website Director, Ted Pfeiff of Bettendorf, is planning

three state newsletters this year as well as printing

posters for members to distribute for our various

events.

Thirdly, we are matching members with legislators and

urging our members to get in a conversation with

legislators. We are seeking co-sponsors for a Death

With Dignity Act, a bold move. We may fail, but it

won't be for the lack of trying.

We're asking a lot from our members, but there is lots

to be done. Won't you join us in these important

actions?

Pat Larson, President"

I want to take a moment to thank you for being part of the Compassion & Choices Action Network. What a year we've had!

Together, we have made an impact in the halls of Congress, in courtrooms across the nation and in the homes of countless families. I am deeply grateful to you for your help in building on our success in Washington State last fall, where we have worked diligently to implement the Death with Dignity Act.

And I am so proud of our subsequent efforts to advocate for reimbursements for end-of-life consultation within health insurance reform; protect end-of-life choices in Montana and Connecticut courts; and defend and expand state laws across the nation to improve care at the end of life and protect patients' choices.

Our End-of-Life Consultation program matched more than 1,500 clients with support volunteers in 44 states and helped more than 5,000 people seeking guidance with end-of-life planning, free of charge.

In addition, we hosted a national symposium for physicians, social workers, nurses, attorneys and advocates to address aspects of end-of-life care rarely discussed and illuminate the way forward.

That's a great deal to be thankful for, which is why I want to make sure you understand how grateful we are for your loyal and generous support throughout 2009.

With your help, Compassion & Choices has risen to the forefront on end-of-life issues.

I'm looking forward to working together to achieve great things in the years ahead.

Gratefully,

Barbara Coombs Lee
President, Compassion & Choices