Why a marine with brain cancer is fighting against right-to-die

Perspective is everything, especially when you have brain cancer.

JJ Hanson is a former Marine who was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer in 2014. Doctors gave him six months to live, but 18 months later he's alive and inspiring others to value life by fighting against right-to-die bills nationwide.

I asked Hanson to respond to State Senate President Steve Sweeney's comments which frame the right-to-die movement as maintaining personal dignity and choice.

"It’s this misconception of what choice actually is," said Hanson, regarding those who champion assisted suicide. The Marine said he truly understands personal liberty and defended the American ideal of independence during his time in the military.

"However, when my understanding or misconception of what 'choice' is can end your life, or it can end your children’s life, by changing the social norm of the importance of insurance coverage, of clinical research for terminal diseases — when those things happen and it becomes the status quo within our society, that’s a problem," Hanson said.

The former Marine said right-to-die supporters are setting up a false narrative that says if you don't agree with them, you don't have compassion or believe in the dignity of life.

He pointed to the death of his 82-year-old grandmother as an example of true dignity and beauty, because she chose to endure to the end of her natural life and draw her family close to her during that time.

If JJ's story doesn't stress the true value of life and meaning of dignity, I don't know what does.

Stay tuned for more updates from this valiant man, and keep him in your thoughts and prayers as he fights for his life, and the lives of others.