My Mum, Jo Lawlor, passed away on 14-09-08 at the Cairns Private Hospital. For eight months Mum fought bone cancer. This photo, with my daughter Debbie, was taken on 16-08-08, one of the last times I could get a smile from my Mum.

No-one should have to suffer their last days, weeks and months on this earth as my Mum did. For a long time I have felt that people should have the right to decide how they die. After watching my Mum over the last 8 months, I am now a very firm believer in euthanasia. The sooner the Government of Australia listen to the people of Australia and change the euthanasia laws the better we will all be. NO-ONE should have to suffer the way my Mum did! If an animal suffers an incurable illness, we treat them with kindness and put them to sleep when it is obvious they are in constant pain and there is no hope of a cure. People should have the same options available to them.

Thank you to all the staff at the hospital, the friends who continued to visit and help as they could, to Barry White who provided support on a constant basis as and when he could, and to Christine Rees who came daily, washed clothes, bought in fresh fruit, gave manicures and massages and provided colour photos for the wall when Mum was sick of looking at the white wall. She was a fantastic friend to my Mum for over 50 years and continues to be a fantastic friend to Jo's children, of which I am one! Thank you all!