Tracy Hickman, a 57-year-old British woman, has chosen euthanasia as a means to end her battle with terminal cancer. Before her scheduled death next week, she wants to send a message to others in similar situations, expressing her peace with the decision she has made. Hickman believes that individuals should have the right to decide when it is their time to go, avoiding the uncertainty and pain associated with a natural death.
Hickman, who holds both British and New Zealand citizenship, is calling on politicians in the UK to reconsider their stance on assisted dying. Currently, assisted dying is illegal in the UK, but in New Zealand, under the End of Life Choice Act passed in 2019, competent adults with terminal illness, aged 18 or over, and with six months to live, can choose an assisted death. The law requires that they must be in unbearable suffering that cannot be relieved and in an advanced state of irreversible decline in physical capability.
In her final days, Hickman is using her voice to advocate for a change in legislation in the UK. She urges the government to learn from New Zealand and create an even better framework for assisted dying. Hickman shared with The Guardian, “There is a lot of focus on the right to life, but people should have the right to a peaceful, gentle death.”
Her partner, Paul Qualtrough, acknowledges the difficulty of letting her go but finds comfort in knowing that her death will be gentle and on her terms. He stated, “It’s the best of a bad set of sh**ty options.”
Hickman, who worked as an accountant, was diagnosed with breast cancer in March 2019. Despite being fit, a vegetarian, and a non-drinker, the disease progressed. She experienced serious pain, extreme fatigue, and incontinence due to cancer spreading and the side effects of treatment.
As the scheduled date approaches, Hickman describes feeling at peace with her decision. She acknowledges the distress caused to her family and friends, but they understand and support her choice. She explains, “The alternative is to live for another couple of months or so but have an uncertain and painful death.”
Hickman’s sister, Linda Clarke, who resides in the UK, expresses the pain of watching her health deteriorate and emphasizes the importance of understanding the suffering a loved one endures. She believes that anyone against the idea of assisted dying has not witnessed the pain, humiliation, and loss that come with a terminal illness.
Hickman’s story sheds light on the need for a compassionate approach to end-of-life decisions. Her brave message serves as a reminder that individuals facing terminal illnesses deserve the right to choose a peaceful and dignified death.
