Photographer Chooses Medical Aid in Dying

Peter Grant, a 65-year-old photographer known for his fitness portraits, elected to pursue medical aid in dying (MAID) following a terminal pancreatic cancer diagnosis. Initially seeking treatment for what he believed was a kidney stone, Grant was informed by his medical team that he had six months to a year to live. He declined aggressive and painful treatment options, including a stent procedure and chemotherapy, opting instead for a peaceful end.

Grant's decision was influenced by the legality of MAID in his home state of California, one of 13 states plus Washington, D.C. where it is permitted. This allowed him to remain home, surrounded by loved ones, including his best friend Gary Ridley. The artist found profound value in having the choice to control his end-of-life transition, reflecting on his life and achievements with a new perspective.

His MAID event was scheduled for June 15, 2026, a date he moved up from June 21. The ceremony was accompanied by the soundtrack from 'Out of Africa.' Grant's brother, sister-in-law, ex-partner, and friends Karin Flanagan and Gary Ridley were present. He passed away at 11:11 a.m., finding peace in the belief that he was not disappearing but becoming one with the ocean, a sentiment echoed in a poem read at the ceremony.