ALBANY, NY (Erie News Now)--ADVOCATES, CANDLES, FLOWERS AND SIGNS FILLed THE HALL OF THE CAPITOL COMPLEX IN ALBANY to CALL ON LAWMAKERS TO PASS MEDICAL AID IN DYING LEGISLATION BEFORE SESSION COMES TO A CLOSE IN A MATTER OF DAYS.  

JEREMY BOAL, AN ADVOCATE FOR THE bill CURRENTLY BATTLING ALS-- SAid THIS LEGISLATION WOULD BRING MUCH RELIEF TO INDIVIDUALS SUCH AS HIMSELF, FACING DEATH.  
 
“I think having this option will give tremendous comfort to the ALS community and also to people with cancer and other conditions, just to know that it's there,” said Boal. 
 
BOAL SAid HE HAS THE MEANS TO GO TO ANOTHER STATE FOR MEDICAL AID IN DYING IF THE BILL DOESN’T PASS, BUT MANY PEOPLE ARE UNABLE TO TRAVEL FOR THIS OPTION, WHICH HE SAid IS UNFAIR.  
 
He SAid WHEN HE DOES GET TO THE POINT WITH HIS ALS WHERE HIS SUFFERING INCREASES, HE ISN’T SURE IF HE WILL CHOOSE MEDICAL AID IN DYING – BUT HE WOULD LIKE THE OPTION. 
 
“Until I’m in that situation, it's very hard for me to say. But knowing that it's available to me is one of the things that gives me the ability to live with ALS,” said Boal. 
 
SOME ADVOCATES AGAINST THE LEGISLATION WORRY IF THIS BILL BECOMES LAW INDIVIDUALS WITHIN THE DISABILITY COMMUNITY COULD BE PRESSURED INTO THE PROCEDURE.
 
THE BILL IS CURRENTLY STILL IN COMMITTEE BUT SOME LAWMAKERS SAid THEY ARE HOPEFUL IT WILL PROGRESS BEFORE TIME RUNS OUT.  
 
“Anything can happen in the last few days of session and there are conversations I know among my colleagues in both houses, but it really remains to be seen,” said Sen. Brad Hoylman-Sigal (D-47th Senate District).