About GAELO
Georgians for End of Life Options (GAELO) is a state-wide organization working to expand end of life options for all Georgians. We believe that every individual has basic fundamental freedom and a civil right to determine their medical treatment and exercise choice and control at the end of life. We also believe that reverence for life includes respect for personal autonomy and dignity, and for the individual choices one makes concerning their medical treatment and end of life decision making.
We are recruiting to expand our leadership.
Please contact us if you are interested in joining our organization.
OUR MISSION
Our Principles
We believe that the ability to exercise autonomy and self-determination in matters related to end of life and death is a human right. The decision to exercise that right is an intensely personal choice made with respect for the sacredness of life, and with compassion for all.
- We believe that each individual’s wishes for end of life should be honored and respected.
- We strive for a peaceful death for every Georgian.
- We hope to empower individuals to have full control over their end of life experiences.
- We commit to assisting Georgians with their advanced care planning and the roles various decisions may play in achieving their desired goals at end of life.
- We commit to working with legislators in Georgia to improve and expand our laws and policies which will allow Georgians' wishes for end of life to be respected and honored.
- We believe that by providing expanded options and clear choices at end of life we honor the sacredness of life.
OUR VISION
Our Goals
Our goals are to promote self-determination, personal autonomy, and dignity at end of life; to improve pain management and palliative care; and generally to enhance advanced care planning in Georgia. We aim to:
- Improve end of life care and expand options that provide meaningful choices for all Georgians facing end of life decision making;
- Provide education, outreach, and advocacy for legislation that supports patient-centered medical practices and strengthens patients’ rights, especially those related to end of life decision making;
- Advocate for medical aid in dying in Georgia, as well as other legal reforms to strengthen patient-centered practices, improve pain management and palliative care, and general advanced care planning;
- Provide support to those Georgians who are facing end of life, or who wish to plan ahead.
Formation:
We organized in May, 2021, under Death With Dignity’s 501(c)(3) umbrella and received a Dignity50 opportunity grant to establish our organization and build out our web presence and social media platforms. In 2022, we formed independently as a Georgia non-profit organization with pending 501(c)(3) tax exempt status. Click here to learn more.
Internal Structure & Organization:
All members of GAELO serve on a volunteer basis. We are currently comprised of a board of directors, an executive director, Task Forces, and an advisory council. Click here to go to our Organizers and Advisors page to learn more about GAELO’s structure and organization.
Legislative Advocacy:
As the movement to allow medical aid in dying (MAiD) expands in the United States, and as the number of states who have passed MAiD legislation grows, national legislation which codifies the right to MAiD as a constitutional right is on the horizon. We believe that now is the time for Georgia to examine this issue and determine what choices Georgians want for themselves for the end of their lives. Click here to go to our Advocacy page to learn more about advocating for this issue in Georgia
