Brittany Maynard has stage four brain cancer and plans to die on November 1st, two days after her husband's birthday.
The twenty nine-year-old recently moved to Oregon from her home state of California in order to access death with dignity laws.
The below YouTube video, which includes interviews with Brittany's husband Dan and mother Debbie, details the reasons for her decision.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yPfe3rCcUeQ
Diagnosed with glioblastoma multiforme brain cancer in January of last year after suffering painful headaches, Brittany was initially told she had three to ten years to live.
However, after undergoing surgery three months later, Brittany found out the brain tumour had grown larger. Doctors then told her the cancer was terminal and she had six months to live.
Brittany plans to end her life with specially prescribed medication but she is keen to make it clear that this is not suicide.
"There is not a cell in my body that is suicidal or that wants to die," Brittany told People magazine. "I want to live. I wish there was a cure for my disease but there's not."
"My glioblastoma is going to kill me, and that's out of my control. I've discussed with many experts how I would die from it, and it's a terrible, terrible way to die. Being able to choose to go with dignity is less terrifying" continued Brittany.
In addition to Oregon, there are four other American states - Montana, New Mexico, Washington and Vermont, which have laws to help terminally ill patients die.
Brittany believes that anyone with a terminal illness should have access to this option and is spending the time she has left, campaigning for death with dignity laws to be extended across the United States.
"I believe this choice is ethical, and what makes it ethical is it is a choice," she told People. "The patient can change their mind right up to the last minute. I feel very protected here in Oregon."
