Alongside 3rd Anniversary: A Milestone for Lifelong Autonomy

July 31, 2026 marks both the 3rd anniversary of Alongside and the official enforcement of Hong Kong’s Advance Decision on Life-sustaining Treatment Ordinance. By establishing a statutory framework for Advance Medical Directives (AMD) and Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) orders, this ordinance represents a major stride toward protecting the medical autonomy and end-of-life choices of terminally ill patients.
That these two milestones fall on the exact same day is both a meaningful coincidence and a powerful reminder: Alongside was founded on the core belief that everyone deserves to walk through every chapter of life according to their own wishes.
Three years ago, we co-founded Alongside based on a simple yet resolute conviction—that regardless of age, gender, sexual orientation, family background, or socioeconomic status, everyone has the right to live autonomously and receive the respect, care, and dignity they deserve in their final journey.
We call this conviction “Lifelong Autonomy.”
Over the past three years, we grew from a small trio into a compact yet energetic, creative, and action-driven team. We have continually explored new ways to bring the seemingly heavy and distant topics of life and death closer to everyday life, making them more approachable and engaging for the public.
From medical simulation workshops and immersive AMD Virtual Reality (VR) experiences, to cross-disciplinary academic conferences, intimate mini-concerts, and our Life & Death Afternoon Tea series, we have constantly pushed the boundaries of art, technology, expertise, education, and community engagement. Our goal has always been to break out of traditional lecture formats, reaching people from all walks of life so they can comfortably learn about death, talk about death, and reflect early on the values and choices that matter to them.
To us, the enforcement of the Ordinance is not the finish line, but a fresh beginning. While legislation provides legal protection for autonomous choices, enabling everyone to make genuinely informed decisions requires broader public education, more accessible services, and candid conversations about life and death across society.
As we enter our fourth year, Alongside will continue promoting death literacy, end-of-life autonomy, and advance care planning—ensuring that “Lifelong Autonomy” moves beyond an ideal to become a tangible right that everyone can understand, practice, and enjoy.
To celebrate our 3rd anniversary and welcome the enactment of the Ordinance, we will be sharing real stories from our service users, hosting an AMD VR Open Day, and offering a 30% discount on our AMD services throughout August. We hope to encourage more people to take that important first step toward understanding and planning their final journey.
Finally, we express our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has ever believed in Alongside. Thank you to our funders and partners who supported our vision when Alongside was just a fledgling idea; thank you to our service users for your trust; and thank you to every Alongsider whose passion, professionalism, and empathy built the Alongside we see today.
Three years is not a destination, but the start of another journey together.

Co-founders of Alongside
Nick, Yves, & Jensen