Beyond Multichannel
Growing successes
MacIntyre says he's pleased with C&C's progress in battling entrenched opposition from Catholic bishops, religious owners of hospitals and right-to-life groups. But he adds that one of the biggest challenges the organization faces is in development.
"We're doing the right things, but we want to get even more professional about it," MacIntyre says. "We want to get the best and brightest advertising minds to reach more people who support access to aid in dying. In some states that includes as much as 77 percent of voters.
"I'd like better technology that integrates all aspects of the organization more seamlessly," he adds. "We're still not there yet. The integrative technology is still not there internally, or for the field."
MacIntyre is confident that C&C will do what it has to do to reach more people because its message points are so compelling: Too many people suffer needlessly. Too many endure unrelenting pain. Too many turn to violent means at the end of lives.
People have no trouble understanding that these message points easily could refer to members of their own families and to themselves, and MacIntyre is sure many more of them will be drawn to Compassion & Choices and its mission: to support, educate and advocate for those facing end-of-life issues.
"We need to get more supporters talking to doctors and counselors, and to legislators, and for contributors to fund all of our efforts," MacIntyre says. "We want everybody involved to be part of decision making and implementation." FS
David McKenna is a Philadelphia-based author, freelance writer and owner off the Odd Man Out blog. Reach him at dmikemckenna@aol.com
