Esther Rantzen, founder of ChildLine and broadcaster, has stated that she has contemplated assisted dying as a possibility if her current lung cancer treatment does not show improvement.
In May, the 83-year-old disclosed that her cancer had advanced to stage four. Subsequently, she has become a member of the Swiss organization Dignitas, which provides physician-assisted death for individuals with terminal or debilitating physical or mental conditions.
During an interview on BBC’s The Today Podcast, she mentioned that her upcoming scan in a couple of weeks will reveal whether or not the miracle drug is working or if it has stopped working.
In a conversation with Nick Robinson and Amol Rajan, Rantzen stated that she has become a member of Dignitas. She mentioned that she has considered going to Zurich if her next scan reveals no improvement, but this would put her loved ones in a tough situation because they would want to accompany her.
“Consequently, the individuals may face legal action from the police. Therefore, we must take action. Currently, the situation is not effective, correct?”
She requested a vote without restrictions on assisted death, stating that it is crucial for the law to reflect the desires of the nation.
In England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, assisted suicide is prohibited and can result in a prison term of up to 14 years.
In December 2022, the health and social care committee will release a report on assisted dying and assisted suicide in England and Wales. This follows an inquiry launched to explore various viewpoints on the topic.
Rantzen informed Robinson and Rajan that her family has given her the autonomy to make the decision: “I clarified to them that I do not want their final recollections of me to be agonizing. If they witness someone they care about experiencing a difficult passing, that memory overshadows all the joyful moments we shared, and I do not want that to be the case.”
“I do not want to be the kind of person who causes problems in their lives.”
She mentioned that she wasn’t certain if she would make it to her previous birthday in June, so it was a pleasant surprise to reach the Christmas season.
She stated, “There are many possibilities in my living situation. Since I reside in a forest, there is a chance that a tree could potentially fall on me.”
“I have to leave my current position for some reason, and I am 83 years old, so I should be very thankful and I certainly am.”
Rantzen rose to fame while working at the BBC and is most recognized for hosting That’s Life! This show covered a range of subjects including investigations, current events, and entertainment, and was on air from 1973 to 1994.
Besides being a celebrated journalist and broadcaster, she established ChildLine, a charity for children, in 1986.
In 2006, the organization, which provides therapy and assistance to children and adolescents in the UK until they turn 19, joined forces with The National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children. Rantzen also established The Silver Line in 2013, a charity that helps older adults in the UK who are struggling with feelings of isolation.
In recognition of her charitable efforts for children and older individuals, she was awarded the title of DBE in 2015. The complete interview with Rantzen on The Today Podcast will be released on BBC Sounds on December 19th.
Source: theguardian.com
