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Celebrating EOLONM Volunteers!

Adrienne Dare, EOLONM VOLUNTEER LEADER!

Adrienne Dare is a retired college professor in Silver City, and has been supporting quality of life at the end of life since 2002.

By Sally Tilton

I CELEBRATE Dr. Adrienne Dare for her steadfast leadership and commitment to EOLONM as a long-standing volunteer. Dr. Dare was an early advocate in New Mexico for medical aid in dying. She played an important, unrelenting role in getting this important choice passed into law. Having a choice in how we die when diagnosed with a terminal illness is a choice all people should be allowed without punishment. And to date, over 50 individuals in southwestern New Mexico have made a choice to end their suffering brought on by terminal diseases through medical aid. Adrienne is a passionate advocate and active volunteer supporting this humanitarian choice.

Adrienne Dare with her mother
I first met Adrienne in early 2022 at a tabling event in Silver City, NM. She and two others were at our yearly “Give Grandly” event. Their mature, smiling faces cast a light that caught my attention. When I realized the information they were sharing had to do with end-of-life choices, I was drawn in. At that time I did not realize medical aid in dying was legalized in NM. I being a retired nurse, a recent widow by cancer, a grieving mother by cancer, and a recently diagnosed survivor of cancer experienced great relief in learning my state offered choice.

Not long after that encounter at Give Grandly, I had a conversation with my oncology provider. We discussed advanced directives. I let her know I was comforted in knowing MAID was available as a choice. And that now I am retired I was going to look into volunteering in getting that information out. At the end of our visit she asked me, “If you are serious about being a volunteer, may I pass on your contact information to the coordinator?” I gave permission and a few days later I received a call from Adrienne.

At that time The Elizabeth Whitefield End-Of-Life Options Act was less than a year old. The number of volunteers in our area were few. Adrienne was doing the Lion’s share of the outreach and training. A mighty fine job she was doing. I was impressed that a person of her age had such vitality to be so actively involved in what I thought to be a monumental uphill task. But there she was, her warmth, friendliness and passion for promoting and supporting something she deeply believed in.

Now in early 2025, just 3 1/2 years after the Elizabeth Whitefield End of Life Options Act  came into being, Grant County has sixteen dedicated, active EOLONM volunteers. In addition, two dedicated medical providers travel hundreds of miles to serve those who are dying and want relief from their suffering brought on by terminal illness. To date, fifty individuals in southwest New Mexico have exercised their choice to choose MAID. I choose to attribute Dr. Adrienne Dare’s unrelenting efforts, in part, to making this possible.
Volunteer Appreciation

Shown above: Adrienne, Center, at a tabling event in Silver City, New Mexico.

Adrienne Dare at Round House March 2013

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