Free Community Screening of the Acclaimed Documentary "How to Die in Oregon" at the Chicago Cultural Center

Compassion & Choices' Barbara Coombs Lee and other film participants and experts will host post-screening Q&A

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Dec 12, 2014, 08:06 ET

CHICAGO, Dec. 12, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Compassion & Choices and the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events will host a special screening of the documentary How to Die in Oregon on Saturday, December 13, 2014.

Prominent figures in the end-of-life movement including Compassion & Choices President Barbara Coombs Lee and Stan Curtis, Husband of Cody Curtis, featured in the film, will join a Q&A session afterwards.

The Chicago screening comes after 29-year-old terminally ill Brittany Maynard's courageous decision to access death with dignity placed end-of-life issues in the forefront of national public consciousness and headlines.

The film is the winner of the 2011 Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance® Film Festival.

WHAT: Free community screening and discussion event of the Sundance®-winning documentary How to Die in Oregon

WHEN: Saturday, December 13, 1:00 p.m. (discussion after screening)

WHERE: Cassidy Theater, Chicago Cultural Center
78 E. Washington St., Second Floor

WHO: -Barbara Coombs Lee, President of Compassion & Choices
-Prof. Holly Nelson Becker, School of Social Work, Loyola University
-Stan Curtis, Husband of Cody Curtis, featured in the film
-Alison Cuddy (moderator), Chicago Humanities Festival

HOW: Members of the media should contact Patricia Brooks at 202-818-8247 or [email protected]. Interviews available upon request. Members of the public can RSVP at http://chicago-how-to-die-in-oregon.eventbrite.com.

About the film:
In 1994, Oregon became the first state to authorize death with dignity. As a result, any individual who has received a prognosis of six month or less to live can request a prescription for aid-in-dying medication. Since 1994, more than 750 Oregonians have taken their mortality into their own hands. In How to Die in Oregon, filmmaker Peter Richardson gently enters the lives of the terminally ill as they consider whether – and when – to utilize the medical practice of aid in dying to end their suffering. Richardson examines both sides of this complex, emotionally charged issue. What emerges is a life-affirming, staggeringly powerful portrait of what it means to die with dignity.

About Compassion & Choices:
Compassion & Choices is the nation's oldest and largest nonprofit organization working to improve care and expand choice at the end of life. Leading the end-of-life choice movement for more than 30 years, we support, educate and advocate. More information is available at: www.compassionandchoices.org.

Contact: Patricia Brooks
[email protected]
(202) 818-8247

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SOURCE Compassion & Choices