Compassion & Choices is one of the only end-of-life organizations that assists terminally-ill adults who are considering aid-in-dying. We do not charge for this service. To support our work, we rely on tax-deductible contributions from individuals and foundations. People who educate themselves and others are our greatest hope to change the legal environment. Ways to get involved include:

• Talk with your family and doctor about your choices for end-of-life care. Write a letter to your doctor to find out if they will respect your end-of-life wishes now - before it is too late.
  
  
• Complete your advance directive. This document informs medical personnel of your end-of-life preferences and who should make medical decisions on your behalf if you become incapacitated. Download the State of California approved advance directive. Also, check out the Good To Go Toolkit and Resource Guide, which helps you identify your end-of-life priorities and ensures that your wishes are honored.
  
  
• Stay current on our activities and events. Please contact us if you would like Compassion & Choices of Northern California to make a presentation on end-of-life topics to your local community group.
  
  
• Contact us about volunteer opportunities. We are looking for volunteers for the End-of-Life Consultation Program to work with individual clients and help them: effectively navigate the health care system, gain access to effective palliative and hospice care, complete advance medical directive, and stay in charge of their own dying. If you are interested in becoming an End-of-Life Consultation Volunteer, please contact us by email or call us toll free at (800) 247-7421 to find out more.
  
  
• Talk with others about Compassion & Choices, and tell them we can help with pain management and end-of-life issues. Tell your loved ones how important it is to have a health care proxy and that we can supply them with the necessary forms and provide guidance in completing them. Tell a friend about Compassion & Choices of Northern California.
  
  
• Stay informed about end-of-life issues, and share your ideas with the press and political leaders. If you see a story or column on end-of-life issues, write a letter to the editor, or let us know of your interest, and we can help prepare a letter for you.
  
  
• Share your stories of good and bad deaths with us. Send us stories of your friends’ and family’s experiences, and your thoughts and opinions. Send them anonymously if you like. In any case, they will be kept confidential.
  
  
• Make a tax-deductible gift to Compassion & Choices of Northern California. Your donation allows us to support terminally-ill clients and their families, educate physicians, lawmakers and the media, and advocate for improved patient care and expanded choice at the end-of-life.
  
  
• Check out our Facebook and Twitter sites to discover what’s happening with end-of-life advocacy around the nation at Twitter and share special information, advocacy updates, and tools on Facebook.