Terminally Ill Sisters Plead For New Jersey To Let Them Die

They were both nurses and they know about end-of-life planning.

But sisters Laurie and Melissa Wilcox, both suffering from terminal illnesses, can't plan their own lives the way they want.

The New Jersey residents told The Star-Ledger about how they have terminal diseases, and they're ready to die. But New Jersey won't let them, and they're hoping that can change before it's too late.

They want the state Legislature and Gov. Chris Christie to pass the New Jersey Aid in Dying for the Terminally Ill Act, that would allow terminally ill patients who meet certain requirements to request life-ending medication.

"While our time may be limited, we continue to count our blessings that we can do things, like go to the beach and spend time with our families," Laurie, a Clark resident, wrote in an opinion piece for The Ledger. "Though we live our days the best we can, a cloud hangs over our heads — the prospect of a drawn out, painful death."

Patch was unsuccessful in reaching the Wilcox sisters for comment on their opinion piece.

Melissa, of Bordentown, has been fighting a very aggressive form of lung cancer, Laurie said in the piece. Laurie has had a combination of chronic rheumatoid arthritis and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, which has required chemotherapy and frequent hospitalizations.

"I've had 18 surgeries and just about every treatment option available, including high dose steroids and biologics. Yet my condition has progressively worsened, and the rheumatoid arthritis now inhabits my lung tissue, rendering me dependent on oxygen support. Worst of all, my pain continues to worsen."

While it doesn't appear the Aid in Dying bill will be enacted anytime soon, a poll conducted late last year shows strong support for it. Almost two-thirds, or 63 percent, of New Jersey residents support the measure, according to a Rutgers-Eagleton Poll.

The bill, which allows terminally ill patients to obtain prescription drugs to end their lives, and was passed by the state Assembly in November, is opposed by 29 percent of residents. Eight percent have no opinion.

Regardless of their personal feelings on the legality of assisted suicide, 63 percent believe that ending one’s own life is morally acceptable for the terminally ill. Thirty-two percent consider such a measure morally unacceptable.

While Gov. Chris Christie has expressed “grave concerns” over the bill, 58 percent of Republicans, as well as 64 percent of both Democrats and independents, favor the proposed legislation.

“This is not really a partisan issue in New Jersey,” said Ashley Koning, manager of the RutgersEagleton Poll. “Though a difficult subject for many, the issue has widespread support and acceptance here. Public opinion is mainly on the bill’s side.”

Much of the national attention regarding aid-in-dying was sparked by 29-year-old Brittany Maynard, a woman diagnosed with terminal brain cancer who moved from California to Oregon to end her life in 2014. Maynard chose Oregon because it allowed terminally ill patients to receive aid in dying.

Laurie said in her piece that having that option in her home state is something she and her sister deserve.

"Aid in dying is more about living than it is about dying," Laurie wrote. "I treasure every minute with my sister and family and I want to make the most of it. This is why providing the option of aid in dying is so important."

You can read Laurie Wilcox's entire story by clicking here.