Celebrating National Healthcare Decision-Making Day with Heart and Purpose
Andy Baxter, the compassionate and loving founder of the Cunniff-Dixon Foundation (CDF), lost his beloved wife, Carley Cunniff, to metastatic breast cancer. Carley was cared for by their family physician, Peter Dixon, MD. Thanks to Peter’s gentle and expert care, Carley passed away peacefully at home, in her bed, surrounded by the love of her family.
Andy knew this wasn’t the typical experience for most people, and it sparked a mission in his heart: to help others find that same connection and comfort at the end of life. He founded CDF to enrich the relationship between patients and healthcare providers through education, collaboration, and recognition.
One of Andy’s proudest creations was Planning My Way, a heartfelt project from CDF. This initiative was shaped with input from a wonderful group of end-of-life and ethics experts—doctors, clergy, and everyday advocates—who all came together to make something truly special. The result? A free, easy-to-use workbook (available in both English and Spanish, in print and digital versions) that’s all about empowering you and your loved ones. It’s a friendly guide to reflect on what matters most to you, learn about your options, and share your wishes for future healthcare decisions.
As we prepare for National Healthcare Decision-Making Day on April 16th, we warmly invite you to check out Planning My Way. There’s no better time to create your advance care directive—especially while you’re still feeling strong and healthy! Taking this step now can bring peace of mind to your family, provide clarity when tough choices come up, and give your healthcare team a clear roadmap to honor your wishes.
Want to bring Planning My Way to a bigger group or use it in a clinical setting? We’d love to help! Please be in touch with our Executive Director, Andy Peters, at andy@cunniffdixon.org for more details.
Let’s make planning for the future a little less daunting and a lot more meaningful—together!
Photo courtesy of Leon Seibert, Unsplash