Christy O’Donnell of Valencia (left) with her daughter.
[KHTS] – The California Senate passed the End of Life Act on Friday. It now heads to the governor’s desk.
ABX2-15 would allow mentally-capable, terminally-ill adults the option to request a doctor’s prescription for aid-in-dying drugs to painlessly and peacefully hasten their death.
The bill passed out of the Senate 23-14.
Assemblyman Scott Wilk, R-Santa Clarita, voted against the bill when it was in the lower house Wednesday.
Sen. Sharon Runner, R-Antelope Valley, said this week she was against it.
“This bill strikes a very personal chord for me, as I was terminally ill just a few years ago,” Runner said. “I would not be here today without my lung transplant. It was a long and difficult process, and I struggled through many painful days. But, look at the life I have now. I believe life is sacred; it begins at conception and ends when it is meant to end. We should not force the issue.”
Santa Clarita resident Christy O’Donnell, who is also a single mom, civil rights attorney and former LAPD sergeant, has brain, liver, lung, rib and spine cancer. She’s morphine intolerant and is going to die painfully from her illness.
She is also the lead plaintiff in a suit asserting the California constitution and state law allow terminally ill adults the option of medical aid in dying.
“The pain is pretty significant now (compared) to when I was in here, what a month ago,” O’Donnell said. “I take a lot of percocet. I take a lot of it and it barely takes the edge off the pain. I’m really at the end of my treatment.”
O’Donnell is just one of hundred of terminally ill patients in the Santa Clarita Valley, she says. She belongs to a stage IV cancer support group with many of them.
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10 Comments
od Bless you Christy. There is an afterlife and you will be at peace looking over your beautiful daughter free of pain. Thank for all you are doin for the terminally ill community. My husband is a stroke patient, severely brain damaged, chronic pain and uncontrollable seizures. His prognosis is not good, because of fighters such as yourself maybe soon he too will be at peace and no longer suffering. People dont understand until they are in the same circumstances. There is nothin worse than watchin someone you love more than yourself suffer slow and painfully. No person or law should be aloud to tell another human being that they cant end their suffering. Animals are given this respect but humans are not. Is just makes no sense. Thank you so much for fighting fir us, for providing us the choice in our own death. Its time people understand that there is a “Fate Worse than Death”. Bless you beautiful fighter!
Prayers that our governor does the right thing and signs very soon
Good for Sharon Runner for overcoming cancer. And she’s welcome to her religious convictions. Unfortunately, as a senator she actively works to make Christy O’Donnell live by these religious convictions. Choosing to end your life is not a decision that anyone wants to be faced with. I’m sure Christy wouldn’t choose to do so if there was a glimmer of hope. But she is at stave IV. And she most likely doesn’t share Senator Runner’s religious convictions. I’m sure the senator was never at stage IV and faced what Christy if facing. Unfortunately, the senator thinks that Christy can’t make the right decision but that she (Ms. Runner) can. This is just the worst example of selfishness, and it is so maddening to see it coming from a politician. This country was founded on the principal that religion is not to become a factor in making laws.
Moonbeam better sign it!!!!
Bless you Christy you must be an incredibly strong woman to undertake this battle while fighting cancer. I know this will bring immeasurable comfort to other terminal people and their families. I believe there is a very special place in heaven for people like you.
God Bless you and your famiy Christy, I cannot imagine your day to day life and pray that the govenor makes the right decision. I agree with AJ in that why is it we can make decisions for our pets not to suffer and it is the “humane” thing to do yet we can not do the same thing for our HUMANS. I support this bill with all my heart and hope it passes. I wish I had magic words to make your pain go away but please know that my heart hurts for all of you. Godspeed Christy.
I feel so sad for her daughter, the pain you see in her eyes says so much. A mothers love never stops and she is trying to protect her daughter from having to make any heart breaking decisions regarding her health. Pass the law!!!
Stay strong. This bill needs to pass.
@ Sharon Runner you had treatment options. This girl doesn’t. Big difference.
This is huge! !! Praying this passes. Do the right thing Governor