Cheryl M. Eckstein was born and raised in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada.  She resides outside of Vancouver, B.C., Canada with her husband Bryan. 

Outraged to discover that Canada's law that helps protect the vulnerable in our society was being threatened, she left her full time career as a classical piano teacher in 1990 to become an anti-euthanasia activist.

• Education:

University of Calgary, (AB, Canada )Trinity Western University (B.C. Canada)

• Founded:

• Current:

Research and networking is demanding work. CHN'S work includes providing educational material on euthanasia, assisted suicide, suicide, palliative care; to members of Parliament, Senators, students, of all ages, physicians, nurses, disability rights advocates, lawyers, teachers, healthcare providers, and public at large, on an international basis. The responsibility of this work is shouldered by Mrs. Eckstein.  Mrs. Eckstein also lectures and does workshops across Canada and Internationally.

• AREA OF EXPERTISE:
  
   Anti-Euthanasia activist; advocate for people with disabilities & the vulnerable.

• Research:
  
  In 1992, The Compassionate Healthcare Network CHN, decided not to try to intervene in  Rodriguez v. British Columbia (Attorney General) case under its own name, because  CHN was just newly formed and it was felt the organization might not be taken seriously and perhaps not considered as interveners.  Instead, CHN went under the umbrella of the well established Pro‑Life Society of British Columbia, with president, Hilda Krieg at the helm.  Representing The Compassionate Healthcare Network, Cheryl worked in aggregation with the Pro‑Life Society of British Columbia (PLSBC) and Pacific Physicians for Life Society (PPFLS), researching extensively and providing the findings to A.G., Henderson, Q, C.   Though the official record reads  "A. G. Henderson, Q.C., and Neil Milton, for the interveners Pro-Life Society of British Columbia and Pacific Physicians for Life Society" Cheryl diligently labored through to the Supreme Court of Canada, winning albeit by a narrow margin.
  
   
• SUPREME COURT OF CANADA: (The appellant, a 42‑year‑old mother, suffers from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.  Her condition is rapidly deteriorating and she will soon lose the ability to swallow, speak, walk and move her body without assistance.  Thereafter she will lose the capacity to breathe without a respirator, to eat without a gastrotomy and will eventually become confined to a bed.  Her life expectancy is between 2 and 14 months.  The appellant does not wish to die so long as she still has the capacity to enjoy life, but wishes that a qualified physician be allowed to set up technological means by which she might, when she is no longer able to enjoy life, by her own hand, at the time of her choosing, end her life.  The appellant applied to the Supreme Court of British Columbia for an order that s. 241(b) of the Criminal Code, which prohibits the giving of assistance to commit suicide, be declared invalid on the ground that it violates her rights under ss. 7, 12 and 15(1) of the Charter, and is therefore, to the extent it precludes a terminally ill person from committing "physician‑assisted" suicide, of no force and effect by virtue of s. 52(1) of the Constitution Act, 1982.  The court dismissed the appellant's application and the majority of the Court of Appeal affirmed the judgment. Held (Lamer C.J. and L'Heureux‑Dubé, Cory and McLachlin JJ. dissenting):  The appeal should be dismissed. Section 241(b) of the Code is constitutional. http://scc.lexum.umontreal.ca/en/1993/1993rcs3-519/1993rcs3-519.html
  
  
• Investigated:
  
  
• Specifically tracking the right-to-die movement.  Investigated John Hofsess of The Right To Die Society Of Canada (RTDSC), resulted in exposing misappropriation of taxpayer funds ($18,000). This money was given to him as a Canada Council Grant to be used for his book "Requiem: Death and Dying in Canada"  but was used instead to establish his Right To Die Society. Mr. Hofsess was recently informed that the second installment of $18,000 would not be sent to him. The first monies were retained, but his book has never been published.
  
  
• THE REPORT MAGAZINE successfully disclosed that information in a cover story that featured Mrs. Eckstein, titled: "LIFE FORCE, Cheryl Eckstein's uphill fight against pro-euthanasia public opinion." March 22, 1993.
• 
  
  
  
• Has investigated and supplied vital information regarding John Hofsess and his RTDSC to RCMP in continuing to expose the real agenda behind the Euthanasia Movement, specifically investigating application of Section 241 of the Criminal Code as to "Aid, and Abetting".
  
  
• Pressured  theVancouver Sun to investigate a letter John Hofsess claimed was written by Sue Rodriguez. The truth was discovered, Hofsess forged her signature to the fabricated letter.
  
  

• Provided extensive research for lawyers, physicians, and pro-life group's intervention in the Sue Rodriguez Appeal to the Supreme Court of British Columbia, that ultimately ended in the Supreme Court of Canada.  Ms. Rodriguez appeal to legalize assisted suicide was defeated - the result being that no one can appeal to any Canadian court to request physician assisted suicide.  Any change in the current law would have to be passed by Canada's Parliament.

• Established extensive international network in the field of euthanasia. This work has seen Canada's Compassionate Healthcare Network, (CHN) recognized as a leader in the global assault on the Right to Die Movement. 

• Currently, CHN networks with individuals and groups in Canada, in all parts of the United States (including Hawaii), Great Britain, Belgium, Australia, Norway, The Netherlands, Italy, South America, Kenya, Ghana-West Africa, and Singapore.

• Established international network with disability activists.
  
  

• Extensively involved in the Robert Latimer case. (Robert Latimer killed his 12-year-old daughter who was disabled with cerebral palsy. Robert Latimer granted a retrial in the fall 1997.   On January 18, 2001, the Supreme Court Of Canada upheld by a vote of 7-0 his second-degree murder conviction in the death of his 12-year-old daughter Tracy in October 1993.

• (In 1996, Cheryl was diagnosed with a disabling condition, and suffers chronic pain. When speaking on disability issues, Cheryl speaks from her heart, and from her own experience with pain and suffering.)

• PUBLISHES

  Cheryl Eckstein researches, writes, and is the editor and web designer of: www.chninternational.com

She has presented several Parliamentary Briefs, including Brief to Senate of Canada titled: "Physician Assisted Suicide - Is It Right For Canada?". Submitted extensive brief to the Canadian Medical Association

MEDIA

• Radio:
  
  Cheryl frequently appeared as a radio talk/interview programs as a guest --they include:

CTV NATIONAL;   UTV;  CBC TV;  BCTV; CHECK 6;  CBC Newsworld;  CBC OTTAWA; Frequently heard on FAMILY NEWS IN FOCUS (FOCUS ON THE FAMILY);  Dave Abbott Show,  Vancouver;  Guest on a series of 7 radio programs "Celebrate Life" with host, Pat Hansard,  KARI Radio, Blaine, Washington;  Kacey Wilson "The Water Cooler" CJOB 68 Winnipeg
CKWW Detroit Michigan ; and various other U.S.A. stations.

• TELEVISION

Appeared as special guest on Vancouver area television shows re: "Euthanasia", and "Her Own Testimony". CTV National News, CBC National News; CBC-TV Vancouver,  Lethbridge Ch. 7, Ottawa TV.

 Has appeared twice as a guest on "100 HUNTLEY STREET (CROSSROADS MINISTRY)  and various others across Canada. .

March 6th, 2003  The Miracle Channel:  "INSIGHT" with host Paul Arthur, live one hour interview with Cheryl Eckstein.  In 2005, MSNBC, American Television news; BCTV

• 1994 - THE CELIA MOORE AWARD ". . . In appreciation and recognition of outstanding dedication to promote life over death with unfaltering compassion and love. . . ."

• 1998 ALLIANCE ACTION
  
  
  PUBLISHED ARTICLES
   

• Cheryl's writing and opinion columns on assisted suicide, euthanasia and disability issues have appeared in national and regional publications throughout North America, including, "Can There Ever Be A Right To Be Killed One of our children is dead." winter issue of Abilities Magazine (reprint permission was sought by several organizations regarding this article)" Focus on The Family, Citizen. Various articles in Vancouver area newspapers. "
  
  

• "Dying For Relief" - Alliance for Life, March, 1998
  
  

• Frequently interviewed for THE REPORT NEWS MAGAZINE, ALBERTA REPORT MAGAZINE

Was invited to appear as witness opposing The Right To Die Society Of Canada in Ottawa at the SUB COMMITTEE OF THE RE-CODIFICATION OF THE CRIMINAL LAW, November 24, 1992, presenting a video and extensive brief.

Asked to re-appear in Ottawa February 09, 1993 as witness due to threats from Ms. Kelly Crighton, Executive Producer of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) 5th Estate, who threaten to sue Mrs. Eckstein for showing a video, originally produced by CBC 5th Estate.

 Ms. Crighton stood in contempt of Parliament for threatening a witness. Mrs. Eckstein was vindicated, and CBC 5th Estate received a "slap on the wrist" for threatening a Parliamentary Witness.  It was discovered in that hearing, that the pressure to threaten Mrs. Eckstein with lawsuit, came from John Hofsess, of the Right to Die Society of Canada.

•  Appeared before the Senate of Canada September 26, 1994. and presented a 60 page brief, "PHYSICIAN ASSISTED DEATH: IS IT RIGHT FOR CANADA? "

• Accepted to become an Affiliate Member of The World Federation Of Doctors Who Respect Human Life (WFDWRHL). Head Office is in Rotterdam, Netherlands, Dr. Karel Gunning President.

 

• Researcher, consultant, & founding member of Euthanasia Prevention Coalition British Columbia (EPCBC)
  
  

• Advisory Board member to CURE. CURE  is based in West Virginia, USA. Earl E. Appleby, Jr., Director, CURE Ltd., 303 Truman Street, Berkeley Springs, WV 25411, 304-258- LIFE/5433. mailto:cureltd@verizon.net    Visit http://cureltd.blogspot.com/  and  http://www.blogicus.com/archives/terri_schiavos_value_is_god_given.php  and http://mysite.verizon.net/cureltd/index.html

 

• __ Guest speaker, HARVARD INTERNATIONAL EUTHANASIA CONFERENCE - End - Of - Life Care And Decision Making, HARVARD UNIVERSITY, BOSTON MASS., Nov. 1& 2, 1997
  

• __National Convention (Alliance For Life/Campaign Life Coalition). June 21, 1996 Edmonton Alberta, Canada,
  
  

• __ Ongoing speaking, debating events: Cheryl has debated individuals on various occasions, including PEOPLE WITH AIDS  (PWA) -- (A pro-euthanasia group who are lobbying for the legalization of euthanasia in Canada.)
  
  

• __Her lecture tours included - Ottawa, Canada; Toronto, Canada; Edmonton; Vancouver, London; Tennessee, USA; and various cities in British Columbia, Canada.
  
  

• __ Cheryl frequently assists professional writers, speakers, and organizations in their research; also, helps organizations with a speaker's list.

 

• Cheryl enjoys helping to provide research information to students and professionals for their articles, books, reports and  debates.  (Acknowledged for research assistance in "FORCED EXIT . . . by  Wesley J. Smith. Published Spring 1997

 

• __ Some of life's experiences are very difficult to describe .. while this page may not be the place to record one brief but incredible experience, I will add the URL  here, simply, 'just because'  with the hope the reader will visit COMPASSIONATE HEALTHCARE NETWORK -- and read the report called "Amy and Marin."

•   Mrs. Eckstein leads weekly Bible study classes in their Surrey home.  Both she and her husband Bryan, are actively involved with ministry in their church, Dominion Life International. http://www.dominion-life.org/

• LECTURE FEE

From its genesis, Cheryl Eckstein has, and remains to be a non paid volunteer in full time capacity for the Compassionate Healthcare Network.   It is understood that not all organizations can afford to pay their guest speakers, therefore the fee is negotiable. However, the organization who invites Mrs. Eckstein to lecture must cover all out of town hotel/motel & travel expenses.

For photo view of Mrs. Eckstein visit CHERYL ECKSTEIN, FOUNDER AND PRESIDENT OF CHN

For additional information please contact:

• CHERYL M. ECKSTEIN

COMPASSIONATE HEALTHCARE NETWORK (CHN )

ADDRESS: 11563 BAILEY CRESCENT, SURREY, B.C. V3V 2V4

TEL: (604) 582 3844

FAX: (604) 582 3844 (warning, this is not usually turned on, please e-mail first to alert us to any fax, thank you.

 mailto:chn@intergate.ca

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