Today, 17 people will likely die in unimaginable pain. Here’s how you can help stop that

‘For decades the public has been outspokenly in favour of the right to die.’ Campaigners for assisted dying legislation outside parliament, London, October 2021. Photograph: Dominic Lipinski/PA

You and I and everyone will die. There is no point in fearing the inevitable, but there is every reason to be terrified of exiting through the torture chamber. How we die matters for ourselves and for those who have to watch our ending.

“Peacefully in her bed,” the death notices say, politely saving friends from what may have been days, weeks or months of excruciating pain, horror and humiliation. On average, 17 people a day die in terrible pain that can’t be relieved by even the best palliative care.