A woman whose son suffered a “horrific” death from skin cancer was among the campaigners outside the Isle of Man parliament on Tuesday.
Millie Blenkinsop-French, 80, has supported efforts to legalize assisted dying for 50 years.
She joined a demonstration as members of the House of Keys debated for hours a bill aimed at changing the law.
Millie's battle became deeply personal after her son James died in 2021, just ten months after finding a lump in his neck.
She said: 'I know if assisted death had been available he would have opted for it. He died a very painful, gruesome death. It was horrible.
READ MORE: The debate about emotionally assisted dying gives Dame Esther hope that 'common sense' will win
Millie, who has lived on the island for 23 years, says support for assisted dying has grown significantly since she first petitioned Tynwald in 2014.
The current bill was proposed by Dr. Alex Allinson, MHK for Ramsey.
It aims to introduce assisted dying for terminally ill residents, under strict safeguards.
Votes on crucial details of the legislation took place on Tuesday. Members voted 15 to nine to extend eligibility to those with a prognosis of 12 months to live.
They also voted 14 to 10 to extend eligibility to people who have lived in the Isle of Man for at least five years.
If the bill survives further debates and readings, it could receive royal assent next year and assisted death could be available to Manx residents from 2027.
Sarah Wootton, CEO of Dignity in Dying, said: “The Isle of Man is now one step closer to giving dying people the choice and compassion they need and deserve.
“Members of the House of Keys are to be congratulated for showing the compassion and common sense that the Manx people have called for.”