British Columbians urged to find a health advocate [Video]

If you were in a medical emergency, would someone you trust be able to communicate your wishes if you couldn’t speak for yourself?

That’s a decision Jas Cheema had to make when she was battling cancer eight years ago. She says choosing a person who would make her end-of-life health-care preferences known on her behalf was difficult.

“My (teenage) children weren’t in a place where they could advocate for me, I didn’t have a spouse, and so then you know, the next logical person would be my parents, but they don’t speak English,” Cheema explained.

She ended up sharing her wishes with her sister, because she was someone who could make decisions in stressful situations.

And while talking about your palliative care plans with a friend or family member may seem awkward, Cheema told CTV News it gave her comfort.

“It was a lot of relief,” she said. “I can …