About Us

For more than 16 years, Compassion & Choices of Washington’s (C&C) Client Support Volunteers have counseled patients and families to seek excellent end-of-life care and effective pain and symptom management, while upholding their right to seek aid in dying to avoid intolerable suffering.

C&C is recognized nationally for its advocacy of choice for the terminally ill and its commitment to improved treatment of pain and other symptoms. C&C's unique service includes the ongoing relationships we develop between our Client Support Volunteers and those who want to explore end-of-life choices. Each year we provide information and consultation to hundreds of patients and families. Two of our primary concerns: no one dies in pain and no one dies alone.

We have a well-documented record of working with the healthcare community for changes in medical care for the terminally ill. While we believe meaningful reform must include legalization of aid in dying for qualified, terminally ill adults, we do not suggest, encourage, or promote suicide or euthanasia. We do advocate for better pain management, patient-directed end-of-life care, and expanded choice for the terminally ill.

Our board includes a retired cardiologist, a prominent HIV/AIDS physician, a hospice RN, an attorney who has served on several medical center and hospital ethics committees, a retired Ordained Elder of the United Methodist Church, two MSWs with hospice experience, a 15-year member of the Washington State Legislature, and a PhD psychologist and clinical professor of psychology.

Our Client Support Team includes one physician, four RNs, a chaplin, and two MSWs. Our medical advisory team and advisory committee include several prominent Seattle physicians, a past president of the Washington State Medical Association, a Seattle University ethics professor emeritus, a medical director of a palliative care program, two oncologists, a bereavement specialist, a home health and hospice nurse, and spiritual leaders.

Eighty percent of our revenues are devoted to client services. There is never a fee for any service provided by C&C.