World4 min(s) read
Published 13:03 12 Jun 2026 GMT
Warning: This article contains discussion of assisted dying, which some readers may find distressing.
The father of Annaliese Holland, a 26-year-old woman who has decided to end her life by assisted dying, has issued a heartbreaking statement ahead of the fateful day.
Annaliese, from Adelaide, Australia, has suffered from chronic illnesses since she was 12, and at 18, she was diagnosed with a rare condition called Autoimmune Autonomic Ganglionopathy (AAG).
This means that her immune system attacks the autonomic nervous system, and while this isn't always fatal, her body has been irreparably damaged over the years, which has stopped her from eating a meal for the last decade.
Annaliese has needed to rely on total parenteral nutrition (TPN), fed directly into her bloodstream through the last viable vein in her chest.
This condition sadly means that Annaliese will not reach old age, so she has decided to end her own life via Australia's approved voluntary assisted dying program (VAD).
Now, her father has spoken out about her decision.
Annaliese, who has been in constant pain, had a GoFundMe set up when she turned 26 at the start of this year, admitting it was "likely her last birthday".
Her father, Patrick Holland, said that he has seen his daughter go through a lot, and the family has suffered seeing her experience it all.
"This is not about us, it’s about Annie. Every time she goes to hospital she fights for her own life," he stated.
Patrick went on: "It always goes the same way... something that is meant to be so simple goes pear shaped for her.
"The amount of times Annie has been in hospital and on her death bed... to have to sit there and watch her go through it.
"But she is amazing, anything we have to deal with goes into insignificance because we are not the ones going through it."
Patrick recalled one time when Annie had to get her feeding tube removed, explaining that the medical team wanted to remove it, though his daughter was afraid and wanted a general anaesthetic.
He added: "I walked out of the room and said to them ‘you come in here and tell her’. Every time she goes to hospital she fights for her own life.
“For her, it’s so scary every time she has to go to hospital. It’s horrendous for her, its not fair. Every time you think she’s had enough she picks herself up. I couldn’t do it."
Annie has suffered sepsis 25 times, and if her last viable vein becomes blocked, she won't be able to get food or hydration, and may starve to death.
Speaking to news.com.au in 2025, she revealed she was approved for VAD, describing it as a "safety blanket," adding that it was a "relief" to know she could "go when the time is right."
The method is available in every state and territory in Australia except the Northern Territory, though it is only accessible to people living with a condition that is likely to cause death within six to 12 months.
Annaliese had previously revealed that she had written a 'f**k it list' of things that she wants to do before she dies, which includes renting her own apartment, flying in a helicopter, watching a friend’s baby being born, and seeing her dad’s face as she tried on a wedding dress, all of which she has now ticked off.
She insisted that she no longer fears death, and that it was a "really happy thing" when she was told she has less than 12 months left to live.
Speaking to ABC.net, she explained: "When you've been sick for such a long time it becomes something that's not so scary. It sounds strange, but it's incredibly empowering."
