Terminally Ill 29-Year-Old Woman: Why I’m Choosing to Die on My Own Terms

For the past 29 years, Brittany Maynard has lived a fearless life – running half marathons, traveling through Southeast Asia for a year and even climbing Mount Kilimanjaro.

 

So, it’s no surprise she is facing her death the same way.

 

On Monday, Maynard will launch an online video campaign with the nonprofit Compassion & Choices, an end-of-life choice advocacy organization, to fight for expanding death-with-dignity laws nationwide.

 

And on Nov. 1, Maynard, who in April was given six months to live, intends to end her own life with medication prescribed to her by her doctor – and she wants to make it clear it is NOT suicide.

 

“There is not a cell in my body that is suicidal or that wants to die,” she tells PEOPLE in an exclusive interview. “I want to live. I wish there was a cure for my disease but there’s not.”

 

Read More: Terminally Ill 29-Year-Old Woman: Why I’m Choosing to Die on My Own Terms – Health, Real People Stories : People.com.