A Vermont man who decided to end his life shared his final moments with his loved ones over a beer.
Bill Mares, 83, was diagnosed with lymphoma, a form of cancer, in July of last year. He was diagnosed with terminal cancer.
Mares refused to let cancer take his life, choosing instead to use the state’s law to “die with dignity.” He died Monday. His final moments were captured in a heartbreaking photo shared by Mares’ family after his death.
Close friends paid a final visit to Mares, who received hospice care before taking the deadly drugs mixed in his favorite Vermont beer, Conehead.
Vermont was the first state to allow assisted suicide. Religious groups testified against it, sparking a debate that lasted for years.
Close friends paid Mares, who was receiving hospice care, a final visit before he took the drugs that would kill him, mixed in his favorite Vermont beer, Conehead. He is seen here next to his family
Mares made the decision together with his wife of 53 years Chris Hadsel, who supported his decision
Speaking to WCAX, Mares said the law was a gift to him: “IIt’s time to choose. I have to choose, and this is what I chose.
“God bless the people of Vermont who gave us all the right to make this choice.”
He added: ‘I live the results of the right that I want everyone to have, which is the right to decide. I am happy that I have had this wonderful life.’
Mares made the decision with his wife of 53 years, Chris Hadsel, who supported his decision. He said she kissed him before saying, “Fine, it’s your decision. I love you.”
Hadsel added: ‘He absolutely did not want to end up in hospital, he did not want tubes and a long stay.
“It’s going to be awful not having anyone in the house. You know, when I come in, there’s the dog, there’s Bill. But I’ll be fine.”
Mares refused to let cancer take his life, choosing instead to use the state’s law for “dying with dignity.” He died Monday.
Mares spoke to the newspaper in hopes of sharing his story, which could help push a national dying-with-dignity bill into Congress. He added, “I’m on a crusade.”
Before his death, he spoke to Vermont Senator Peter Welch, who told the newspaper: “I support what we did in Vermont and I would advocate for it in Washington.
“But I do think that a state-by-state approach is essential before there is national legislation.”
Last year, the state became the first in the nation to change its assisted suicide law to allow terminally ill people from out of state to travel and take advantage of the law.
Republican Gov. Phil Scott signed the bill that removes the residency requirement from the decades-old law.