Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Independent TV

Showing now | News

Cancer victim leaves heartbreaking message for politicians pleading law change.mp4

01:14

Cancer victim who died at Dignitas leaves powerful message pleading for law change

**_If you are experiencing feelings of distress and isolation, or are struggling to cope, The Samaritans offer support; you can speak to someone for free over the phone, in confidence, on 116 123 (UK and ROI), email jo@samaritans.org, or visit the Samaritans website to find details of your nearest branch._**

A woman has made a heartbreaking plea to politicians to change the UK’s assisted dying policy in a video released after she died from cancer.

Paola Marra, 53, said she had no choice but to travel to Dignitas to end her suffering.

In a video message, filmed by renowned photographer Rankin, she said: “When you watch this, I will be dead. I’m choosing to seek assisted dying because I refuse to let a terminal illness dictate the terms of my existence.”

Ms Marra died at the Swiss clinic on Wednesday, 20 March, after being diagnosed with breast and bowel cancer.

Up next

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in