Terminally ill Brittany Maynard fulfills bucket list wish to visit Grand Canyon

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Sunday, October 26, 2014
Brittany Maynard (third from left) and her family at the Grand Canyon.
creativeContent-The Brittany Maynard Fund

Brittany Maynard doesn't have much time left. The 29-year-old announced earlier this month that she intends to end her own life following a diagnosis of terminal brain cancer. But Maynard has been making the most of her remaining time, both by advocating for death with dignity legislation, and by continuing to pursue her love for travel and adventure. This week, in what her mother called "her last hurrah," Maynard realized her dream to visit the Grand Canyon.

"The Canyon was breathtakingly beautiful, and I was able to enjoy my time with the two things I love most: my family and nature," Canyon wrote in a blog post on her website.

Maynard reignited a national debate on right to die laws when she made public her intention to end her own life on Nov. 1. Earlier this year, she was diagnosed glioblastoma, the deadliest form of brain cancer. Maynard moved from the San Francisco Bay Area to Portland, Oregon because that state is one of five in the U.S. that have death with dignity laws.

Over the past few months, Maynard, a seasoned world traveller, has visited Alaska and Yellowstone National Park. In the video she made explaining her decision to end her life, Maynard mentioned wanting to see the Grand Canyon before passing.

"I hope to enjoy however many days I have on this beautiful Earth and spend as much of it outside as I can surrounded by those I love," she said in the video.

VIDEO: Watch Maynard and her family discuss her choice

Maynard has said she initially chose Nov. 1 as the date to possibly end her life because she wanted to be able to celebrate her husband's birthday with him one last time on Oct. 26. Maynard has since said she will make a final decision on when to end her life based on the progression of her disease.