Earlier right-to-die advocacy organizations included the Euthanasia Educational Council founded in 1967, changing its name to
Concern for Dying in 1978. The Hemlock Society was started in 1980 after the success of
Derek Humphry's book ''
Jean's Way (1978), which recounted how Humphry assisted his wife in committing suicide on 29 March 1975 after a long battle with cancer. Due to the success of Jean's Way,'' Humphry had received many letters from people asking for information about assisted suicide. He decided to start the Hemlock Society in an effort to campaign for a change in law and educate the terminally ill on assisted suicide and its methods. Initially started in Humphry's garage in
Santa Monica, California, the group eventually moved to
Eugene, Oregon, and had many other homes. After the success of
Final Exit, Humphry left the Hemlock Society and started Euthanasia Research and Guidance Organization in 1992. The Society was a founding charter member of the
World Federation of Right to Die Societies, which began in 1980 in
Oxford, England, and was led by Sidney D. Rosoff and Humphry. The Hemlock Society's national membership grew to include 40,000 individuals and eighty chapters. The Society backed legislative efforts in California, Washington, Michigan, and Maine without success until the
Oregon Death with Dignity Act was passed on October 27, 1997. Past Hemlock Society USA presidents included
Gerald A. Larue, Derek Humphry, Sidney D. Rosoff, Wiley Morrison, Arthur Metcalfe, John Westover, Faye J. Girsh. Past executive directors included Derek Humphry (acting 1980–1992), Cheryl K. Smith (1992–1993), John A. Pridonoff (1993–1995), Helen Voorhis (acting 1995–1996), and Faye J. Girsh (1996–2000). ==In the media==