The family of a former British Army lance corporal who chartered a private flight to Switzerland for an assisted death has shared his final message in a letter to MPs. Dan Tuckley died two years ago aged just 46, months after being diagnosed with an aggressive form of kidney cancer.
The letter, which he left for family and friends, reads: “You should know that I went out on my own terms, and it was my own decision, one of the only things I’ve had control over in the past weeks.” Dan, from Derby, has visited hospital in July 2022 with what he thought was a pulled muscle after a gym session. He was instead diagnosed with renal medullary carcinoma. Within weeks, his tumour had grown fivefold and doctors said there was nothing more that could be done.
Dan’s condition deteriorated rapidly until he could no longer eat, digest food or speak easily.
Supported by his loved ones, he made the heartbreaking decision to travel to an assisted dying clinic near Basel, in Switzerland.
His wife Sarah, sister Kate and other siblings launched “Operation F*** Cancer”. They chartered a private flight and made the arrangements, uncertain about whether they would face legal consequences.
Dan shared a final dinner with his loved ones in September 2022, choosing food and wine for them despite being unable to eat or drink himself.
He listened to Frank Sinatra’s “My Way” as he died, calmly, painlessly, and in control.
Dan’s letter, which explained the circumstances of his death to those who he was unable to say goodbye to, added: “I did in fact kill cancer, cancer did not kill me.
“For the last couple of weeks, cancer thought it had the upper hand, but little did it know what I had planned for Thursday!”
Derbyshire police visited Sarah three months later and informed her that she was being investigated for assisting a suicide, a criminal offence that carries a maximum prison sentence of 14 years. The case was eventually dropped with no charges.
Dan’s family is sharing his story with the support of campaign groups My Death, My Decision and Humanists UK to show why a change in the law is desperately needed.
Ahead of Friday’s debate on the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, they are delivering Dan’s letter to MPs along with a tumbler inscribed with the words “This one is for Dan”, to symbolise the drinks he chose for them.
Kate said: “Dan wanted to pass on his terms, while he was still himself. He served his country. He deserved better from it at the end.
“When you vote, consider how you would feel if it were your brother with an incurable disease, a painful and undignified death sentence. What would you do to help them?”