My name is Marc Changnon. When I was 20 years old my father was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia. A gifted artist, teacher and spiritual seeker, was now being faced with a life limiting illness and an unknown path ahead. There weren’t any guides or signposts to help navigate this journey. It is a journey that we all must take, it is unique to everyone of us, but it is also what unites us, teaches us and tests us beyond what we ever thought experience could offer.

I spent 4 years with my mother and sister helping my father through the dying process. The hopes, wins, setbacks, sorrow, suffering and transformation was a profound experience for me as his son, caregiver and emotional/spiritual support. The loss of family, friends and loved ones are deeply significant life events that forces us to stop and face ourselves in the depths of meaning, love and death.

My path to this work has been a life long unfolding. Learning of the end-of-life doula movement was a calling to be of service to others in the spirit of empathy, integrity and compassion, which I embraced as I assisted my father through his transition.

I am an INELDA (International End-of-Life Doula Association) trained End-of-Life Doula. I also work for INELDA as an Educator Assistant helping to educate others that go through the trainings. Additionally, I am a companion volunteer with Brighton Hospice, servicing those in the Portland Oregon region. I have completed trainings for hospice and Going With Grace. I have a Bachelor’s degree from Portland State University (2008) in Psychology and Film.