SAVES is not affiliated with Exit International / Dr Philip Nitschke and opposes the public availability of a 'peaceful pill'.

How many more hopelessly or terminally ill people unable to find release from unendurable suffering will be forced to make the same 'choice' as Nancy Crick, Shirley Nolan, Sandy Williamson and Jo Shearer? These women all refused to remain silent in the face of what they considered to be cruel and unjust laws. They insisted on making a final stand to advocate for the right to manage their own deaths, just as they had always managed their lives.

They recognised that they would never personally benefit from the voluntary euthanasia legislation that would have given them peace of mind, instead of having to end their lives alone, and while still physically able to do so. This denial of their right to their life on their terms was the trigger for speaking out for the rights of others who will inevitably face similar desperate circumstances. They asked that their plight be publicly documented.

Shirley Nolan expressed the reality of her life:

'I hope today I can end the horror my life has become. Parkinsons disease has slowly debilitated me for some 25 years, leaving in its path, an almost unrecognisable parody of my former self. No-one has assisted me to end my life and the detailed account of my deplorable condition will affirm its necessity and blessed release­.

Here today, my last day, I am an advocate of death, yet for over a quarter of a century, as founder of The Anthony Nolan Trust, I have worked with fervour and determination to give to children and adults throughout the world, suffering leukaemia and related diseases, the greatest gift of all, the gift of life. Mine is a life without quality. It is a living hell. I place what is left of mine on the altar of compassion in the hope that my death will highlight the plight of others, and thus serve some purpose.

Jo Shearer claimed that she had

' everything to live for - intelligent, happy and successful adult children, an enjoyable relationship with close and supportive friends and a challenging and rewarding career, a passion for learning foreign languages and opportunities to travel overseas, a beautiful near city home which I own freehold, a comfortable financial position, and a strong commitment and enjoyment in helping others

Yet my reasons for feeling forced to end my life outweigh all of the above, and have been well documented throughout this journal.'

'If in South Australia we had voluntary euthanasia legislation with safeguards, as exists in the Netherlands and Belgium, such as the Dignity in Dying Bill, imagine the comfort and peace of mind for myself and others who are suffering tortuous lives and whose only relief is through death. I would not be burdened with the strain of choosing from among the horrendous options to bring about death as detailed above. And, more importantly, I would have the freedom to discuss my decision openly with my family and friends and to have them with me when I die.'

These women speak for themselves, and SAVES recognises and honours their bravery, and commitment to others.

On 12th January 1998 Ramon Sampedro, a Spanish voluntary euthanasia activist was assisted to die. He too had challenged those who opposed reform of the same cruel laws:

'Your Honour, political and religious authorities - It is not that my conscience finds itself trapped in the deformity of my atrophied and numb body, but in the deformity, atrophy and numbness of your consciences'.