Compassion & Choices Announces Inaugural Winners of the Allyne Hammer Excellence in Advocacy Award

Sep 6, 2023

This year Compassion & Choices is honoring the life of Allyne Hammer, a fierce advocate for improving end-of-life care and options, by announcing the Inaugural Allyne Hammer Excellence in Advocacy Award. The award honors individuals who volunteer with Compassion & Choices in their communities across the country.

Allyne's determination and dedication represented the best of the Compassion & Choices community. She led the Santa Cruz Action Team, held a vital role in the Compassion & Choices LGBTQ+ Leadership Council, and shared her story as a Compassion & Choices storyteller. She worked tirelessly to help pass the End-of-Life Option Act in California in 2015 and the improvement bill SB 380, in 2021. In recognition of her advocacy work, California senator John Laird passed a resolution in her honor. On February 13 2023, Allyne died peacefully in her sleep.

Compassion & Choices is proud to announce that Doris Fischer and Rosalind Kipping are the inaugural winners of the Allyne Hammer Excellence in Advocacy award. They embody Allyne’s determination of spirit in their dedication to the end-of-life care and options movement and both have been dedicated members of their communities in Montana and Maryland, respectively.

Doris Fischer’s 16 year volunteer history has been nothing short of extraordinary. She has dedicated herself to advancing the end-of-life movement in Montana, working closely with C&C regional advocates and being a welcoming voice for new volunteers. Her passion stems from an unshakable belief in our mission and in memory of her partner, who died without access to medical aid in dying.

Rosalind Kipping has worked tirelessly in many different roles over years working with C&C from chapter leader to advocate. She has led hundreds of tables and exhibits and has been a staunch supporter of Compassion & Choices’ mission to improve end-of-life care for all.