Illinois Review | December 12, 2025 “I Was Offered Death When I Needed Care — When the State Decides Your Life Isn’t Worth Living”
In this guest opinion piece, Melissa shares the full account of her harrowing experience as a cancer patient living with spina bifida—and the night a nurse approached her unsolicited to discuss ending her life. Now five years cancer-free, Melissa calls for the protection of vulnerable patients and warns that so-called “safeguards” failed in her own case.
Illinois Review | December 12, 2025 “Pritzker Signs Assisted Dying Bill as Disability Advocate Warns of Deadly Consequences”
Melissa’s warning about the dangers of Illinois’ new assisted suicide law was featured prominently in Illinois Review’s coverage of Governor Pritzker’s signing of SB 1950. “I was offered death when I needed care,” Melissa said. “Pressure was brought to bear, albeit subtly, to choose the drugs so that I would not suffer unduly or be a burden.”
Illinois Baptist | December 13, 2025 “Illinois Becomes 1st Midwestern State to Legalize Assisted Suicide”
In coverage of Illinois becoming the first Midwestern state to legalize physician-assisted suicide, Melissa shared her experience of being repeatedly directed toward assisted suicide discussions during cancer treatment—despite never requesting them.