A British woman who is set to die by euthanasia in New Zealand next week has urged the UK to follow the country's lead and to change the laws surrounding assisted dying.
Tracy Hickman has shared a poignant message to politicians in the hopes of encouraging them to redefine the UK's rigid stance on allowing seriously ill people to have the choice to end their life.
The 57-year-old, who has terminal cancer, wants people in her position to be able to decide for themselves when the time is right, rather than having to anticipate an 'uncertain and painful death'.
Tracy, who has dual British and New Zealand nationality, has chosen to die by euthanasia in the Kiwi country on 22 May, which is just over a week away.
Advert
Laws there, brought in under the End of Life Choice Act in 2019, allow competent adults to choose an assisted death under the conditions that they have a terminal illness, are aged 18 or over and have six months to live.
Patients who go for this option must also be in 'unbearable suffering' which cannot be alleviated, while also being in an 'advanced state of irreversible decline in physical capability'.
On the other hand, both euthanasia and assisted suicide is outright illegal in the UK and could be prosecuted as murder or manslaughter.
Campaign groups say the process for Brits has simply been 'outsourced to Switzerland', but warned that families are facing astronomical costs when having to go abroad to fulfil the dying wishes of a loved one.
Advert
That's why Tracy wants to use the little time she has left to put pressure on the UK government to alter the laws, as she told how her diagnosis and inability to undergo euthanasia here left her considering suicide by refusing food and drink.
Speaking to The Guardian, the cancer sufferer addressed MPs as she said: "Look at what New Zealand has done, and do it even better.
"There is a lot of focus on the right to life, but people should have the right to a peaceful, gentle death."
Her sister Linda Clarke, who lives in the UK, echoed her call for change as she said that without the options available in New Zealand being on the table, she would have had to watch her sibling 'go through a horrific death'.
Tracy hopes that sharing her story will help others, like Linda - who was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015 and also Parkinson's in 2020 - be able to make their own decisions about dying.
Advert
Her sister added: "My cancer could come back. I don't know what my future is. I live in the UK, but I want the same choices that Tracy has. I want the right to choose."
Tracy, an accountant and keen long distance runner, explained that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer in March 2019 after a routine mammogram even though she was fit, leading a vegetarian lifestyle and staying off the booze.
She underwent surgery and chemotherapy, but complained of suffering 'horrendous' side-effects such as hearing loss and the mental fogginess of 'chemo brain', although the treatment did help to reduce the cancer.
The Brit returned to work and was running marathons again, however, by February last year, the cancer had returned and spread - while more treatment brought along more crippling side-effects.
Advert
Tracy suffered from incontinence, extreme fatigue and was in serious pain, but claimed she was told by doctors that she was not eligible for an assisted death as they believed she had more than six months to live.
In March this year, it emerged that she had dozens of tumours in her brain and medics said she probably only had three months at best - a conversation which she described as a 'huge shock'.
Tracy, who has lived in New Zealand for 20 years, says she is now taking morphine 'day and night' and decided to apply for assisted dying rather than simply existing until her time runs out, which is a decision she feels 'at peace' with.
Patients who opt for this go through assessments by two separate doctors before choosing a date.
Advert
Tracy said she has been saying goodbye to her loved ones, doing 'nice things' and a 'bit of life admin' as the day draws closer - adding that she is 'so sorry for causing distress to my family and friends, although they understand'.
On 22 May, she will gather on a secluded beach with a small group of her nearest and dearest, including her beloved partner and sister.
When Tracy gives the go ahead, a medical team will administer drugs and she will lose consciousness within a matter of a few minutes.
"I’ll hear the sound of the waves. It will be very gentle," Tracy added.
Topics: Health, World News, UK News, News, Cancer
Olivia Burke