Rebecca Luna, 49, Dies After Choosing Medical Assistance in Dying
Rebecca Luna, a mother of two from Victoria, British Columbia, died on July 25 at about 1:15 p.m., a year after being diagnosed with early‑onset Alzheimer’s disease.
Early Diagnosis and Public Documentation
Luna first noticed cognitive changes at age 46 and received a formal diagnosis at 48. She recorded her experience on TikTok, where she built a following of more than 97,000 people, and described herself as an advocate for young Alzheimer’s patients and for medical assistance in dying.
Fundraising and Final Wishes
She opened fundraising pages to finance a final trip with her daughters and to cover end‑of‑life expenses, raising $11,766 of a $20,000 goal before her death. In her videos she said she wanted to leave the world still laughing, avoid becoming a burden on caregivers, and die before she could no longer remember her family.
Medical Assistance in Dying Process
Luna met with a MAID doctor and set an appointment for early August, which was later moved to July 25. Under Canada’s Criminal Code, a person must have decision‑making capacity and give immediate consent before MAID is provided, except in narrow circumstances where death is already foreseeable. She emphasized that the decision was hers and that she did not choose to have Alzheimer’s at 46.
Broader Context of Early‑Onset Dementia
About 28,000 Canadians live with early‑onset dementia, including roughly 4,500 in British Columbia, a number expected to exceed 6,000 within two decades. The average time from symptom onset to formal diagnosis is two years, among the longest waits in wealthy nations, and younger patients often face missed symptoms because they are still working.
Tribute and Legacy
Maya Findlay, Luna’s eldest daughter, posted a heartfelt tribute on TikTok, describing the grief as “like homesickness” and sharing a video call capture of her mother. Luna’s final message urged others to “find your way to love yourself,” a sentiment echoed in her fundraising page where she thanked supporters for love, support, and privacy.
