A woman who was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer has passed away in Oregon.
Brittany Maynard was diagnosed with Glioblastoma multiforme, an aggressive form of brain cancer, and discovered that she had just months to live.
Mrs Maynard and her husband decided that rather than suffering through her illness, she would take her own life with medication. In order to legally follow through on this, she moved from California to Oregon to access the state's Death with Dignity Act.
Her decision sparked a huge debate on euthanasia.
In a final message posted to family and friends, Mrs Maynard wrote on Saturday: "Goodbye to all my dear friends and family that I love.
"Today is the day I have chosen to pass away with dignity in the face of my terminal illness... the world is a beautiful place, travel has been my greatest teacher, my close friends and folks are the greatest givers... goodbye world. Spread good energy. Pay it forward!"
A note in her obituary states: "It is people who pause to appreciate life and give thanks who are happiest. If we change our thoughts, we change our world! Love and peace to you all."
