Author Archives: Liz Matsushita (Blog Writer, SevenPonds)

Dragon Mothers: How to Parent a Dying Child

Emily Rapp’s “Notes from a Dragon Mom” distinguishes between directing the future and loving the present

Emily Rapp is a self-proclaimed Dragon Mom. Her baby son, Ronan, is almost certainly going to die before he turns three. He was born with Tay-Sachs, a genetic disease for which there is no cure. Such a horrible fact has … Continue reading

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“Five” by Lifetime TV

Demi Moore, Jennifer Aniston et al. explore the stories of women with breast cancer

Last night marked the premiere of Lifetime’s made-for-TV film “Five,” which showcased the directing talents of five famous women: actresses Demi Moore and Jennifer Aniston, singer Alicia Keys, and directors Penelope Spheeris and Patty Jenkins. Each of the five mini-films … Continue reading

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An Interview with Stephanie Gaines: Part One

The Crestone End-of-Life Project director talks to us about her organization and its singular open-air cremation site

While funeral pyres are common in places like India, the practice of open-air cremation is still very rare in the United States. Yet there has been a shift towards non-traditional burial methods. In the small town of Crestone, CO, Stephanie … Continue reading

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California Nurses’ Strike and the Loss of Judith Ming

Medical error by replacement nurse causes tragic death of Oakland woman

Last weekend, ovarian cancer patient Judith Ming, 66, died as a result of a tragic hospital error at Oakland’s Alta Bates Summit Medical Center. While medical errors are not uncommon, Ming’s death has drawn widespread attention because of its unusual … Continue reading

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“Ringer” by executive producers Peter Traugott and Pam Veasey

Cult series "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" provides an honest, unflinching portrayal of the loss of a loved one

This past week marked the triumphant return of actress Sarah Michelle Gellar to the small screen, as her new thriller/drama Ringer premiered on the CW to strong reviews.  Ringer has Gellar playing twins Bridget and Siobhan, sisters with very different … Continue reading

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Compassion and Choices to Participate in the Healthy Living Festival

End-of-life consulting and advocacy program to exhibit at annual Oakland Zoo event

by Elizabeth Matsushita (Contributor) Compassion & Choices of Northern California, an organization that provides free end-of-life consultations to the terminally ill and their families, will be participating in this year’s 8th Annual Healthy Living Festival at the Oakland Zoo this … Continue reading

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