Broadening California's End of Life Option Act (EOLOA)
Board of Directors
President: Marcia Hofer, Ph.D.
Vice-President: Christie Golemb
Vice-President: Christie Golemb
FOUNDING BOARD MEMBER
Marcia is a retired clinical psychologist and former professional dancer, and an avid gardener and traveler. In 2021, she and her family accompanied her husband, Ricardo, to the Pegasos clinic in Switzerland, where he was able to have a peaceful and painless death. Diagnosed with dementia, Ricardo wished to end his li
FOUNDING BOARD MEMBER
Marcia is a retired clinical psychologist and former professional dancer, and an avid gardener and traveler. In 2021, she and her family accompanied her husband, Ricardo, to the Pegasos clinic in Switzerland, where he was able to have a peaceful and painless death. Diagnosed with dementia, Ricardo wished to end his life at home but did not qualify for California’s End of Life Option Act. After returning to California, Marcia began to think about the many people who are denied the right to make end-of-life decisions due to the restrictions in the current law. This concern, shared by our other board members, led to the creation of A Better Exit.
Vice-President: Christie Golemb
Vice-President: Christie Golemb
Vice-President: Christie Golemb
FOUNDING BOARD MEMBER
Christie's journey is deeply rooted in the belief that individuals should have the autonomy to make choices about their own deaths. Diagnosed with terminal prostate cancer, her father made the courageous decision to control the timing and manner of his death. In a solitary departure, he ensured that none of his loved
FOUNDING BOARD MEMBER
Christie's journey is deeply rooted in the belief that individuals should have the autonomy to make choices about their own deaths. Diagnosed with terminal prostate cancer, her father made the courageous decision to control the timing and manner of his death. In a solitary departure, he ensured that none of his loved ones would be implicated in aiding him. When her mother's battle with Alzheimer's disease reached a critical point, Christie undertook an emotional journey to Switzerland. There, in a land where Voluntary Assisted Death is permitted, she and her sisters accompanied their mother to a peaceful end. This experience solidified Christie's unwavering conviction that geography should not dictate the ability to embrace a tranquil passing.
Secretary: Barry Price, Ph.D.
Vice-President: Christie Golemb
Secretary: Barry Price, Ph.D.
FOUNDING BOARD MEMBER
Barry is a retired professor of Political Science who spends as much time as possible at the beach and in his wood shop. Closing in on 80, he has seen close friends suffer debilitating diseases that robbed them of both their personal dignity and their enjoyment of life. Each of these friends had already lived full and
FOUNDING BOARD MEMBER
Barry is a retired professor of Political Science who spends as much time as possible at the beach and in his wood shop. Closing in on 80, he has seen close friends suffer debilitating diseases that robbed them of both their personal dignity and their enjoyment of life. Each of these friends had already lived full and rewarding lives when they were stricken. Each preferred to end their life rather than continue suffering until nature took its course. All were forced to suffer years more before they died. Contrasting these experiences with the gentle and peaceful deaths of his beloved canine companions pushed him to become an ardent advocate for broadening California’s current Medical Aid in Dying Law.
Treasurer: Janet Hager
Vice-President: Christie Golemb
Secretary: Barry Price, Ph.D.
FOUNDING BOARD MEMBER
Janet is a retired physical therapist who worked the majority of her career providing geriatric rehabilitation, where she witnessed many people who were miserable at the end of their lives. Her father & husband were veterinarians, so she has always believed that providing a peaceful death is the compassionate & human
FOUNDING BOARD MEMBER
Janet is a retired physical therapist who worked the majority of her career providing geriatric rehabilitation, where she witnessed many people who were miserable at the end of their lives. Her father & husband were veterinarians, so she has always believed that providing a peaceful death is the compassionate & humane thing to do under certain circumstances. These two life experiences led her to believe that we treat our pets better than we treat our fellow humans when their health declines. When her husband, David, died of pancreatic cancer in 2019, she found out how important Medical Aid in Dying can be for those facing horrible medical situations. She is passionate about expanding our current law to allow more suffering people a compassionate, peaceful death.
Board Member: Sara Lasner
Sara has dedicated her career to leading Community and Public Affairs teams for technology companies on national initiatives. Formerly the Director of Development at the Wikimedia Foundation, she oversaw major donor fundraising efforts for projects such as Wikipedia. Sara's experience includes serving as Deputy Chief of Staff for Washingt
Sara has dedicated her career to leading Community and Public Affairs teams for technology companies on national initiatives. Formerly the Director of Development at the Wikimedia Foundation, she oversaw major donor fundraising efforts for projects such as Wikipedia. Sara's experience includes serving as Deputy Chief of Staff for Washington D.C. Mayor Adrian Fenty and as Executive Director for the Mayor's Public Education Fund, where she raised substantial funds for District of Columbia public schools. She holds a B.A. from California State University, Chico.
In 2024, Sara faced a profound personal challenge when her mother was diagnosed with ALS. Assuming full-time caregiving responsibilities, Sara witnessed firsthand her mother's rapid decline in quality of life. Faced with the limitations of current laws, which did not encompass her mother's condition, her mother advocated tirelessly for her right to choose a dignified end. After enduring months of physical and emotional turmoil, her mother was eventually approved for California's end-of-life program. She passed peacefully at home, surrounded by family, fulfilling her wish for a compassionate and supported transition. Sara's journey has strengthened her commitment to advocating for expanded end-of-life choices for all individuals facing such difficult circumstances.