Here are some highlights from the first five years of Aging with Dignity's history.

June 1, 1996  The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation awards a grant to Aging with Dignity to conduct public forums that focus on aging issues and improving care at the end of life.

Sept. 12, 1996  The first forum is convened by Florida Governor Lawton Chiles, and includes a presentation by Peter G. Peterson, chairman of the prestigious Blackstone Group, and author of Gray Dawn: How the Coming Age Wave Will Transform America - And The World.

March 6, 1997  Aging with Dignity President Jim Towey testifies before the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging regarding the needs of citizens who raise children while caring for parents.

July 24, 1997  Five Wishes is introduced by Florida's First Lady, Rhea Chiles.  More than 100,000 calls and letters request the document within three weeks

Sept. 14, 1997  Jim Towey joins the U.S. Presidential Delegation attending the state funeral of Mother Teresa of Calcutta, in India.  Towey had worked closely with Mother Teresa for 12 years.

Jan. 1, 1998  The Health Foundation of South Florida awards a grant for a two-year Five Wishes education project.

May 1, 1998  The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation provides a grant for Aging with Dignity to develop and distribute a national version of Five Wishes.

May 8, 1998  Florida Gubernatorial Forum hosted by Aging with Dignity is standing-room only and attracts all of the candidates for a debate on aging policy.

Oct. 22, 1998  New national version of Five Wishes is introduced at the National Press Club in Washington D.C., with Eunice Kennedy Shriver joining Jim Towey.  Within 24 hours the NBC Today Show, CNN, National Public Radio, USA Today, and others feature Five Wishes.

Dec. 7, 1998  In one of his last official acts, Governor Lawton Chiles joins incoming Governor Jeb Bush and members of Florida's Cabinet to launch Awakening 2000, a statewide spiritual and moral awakening in preparation for the new millennium.

Dec. 7, 1999  Florida Governor Jeb Bush; members of the Florida Cabinet, Senate, and House of Representatives; the Chief Justice of Florida's Supreme Court; as well as leaders from Christian, Jewish, and Muslim faiths participate in the Summit of Faith, the centerpiece of Awakening 2000.

Jan. 9, 2000  The Five Wishes Video is introduced, and within a year more than one thousand copies are circulating nationally.

June 1, 2000  The Five Wishes educational program, supported by a grant from The Health Foundation of South Florida, is renewed for a third year.

July 1, 2000  The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation awards a grant for the "Five Wishes at Work" program, which helps employees plan ahead for serious illness -- both for themselves and their aging family members.

July 6, 2000  Candidates for Florida's open seat in the U.S. Senate discuss issues concerning elders and their caregivers at an Aging with Dignity forum.

August - October, 2000  Five Wishes is featured in Time, Money, and AARP's Modern Maturity Magazines.  Requests for more than 250,000 copies of Five Wishes pour in over a three month period.

Dec. 8, 2000  New editions of Five Wishes and the Five Wishes Video are introduced. The new Five Wishes is legally valid in 35 states -- including California, the newest addition.

January 2001  Aging with Dignity opens an office in Washington D.C., which will enable the organization to be a national advocate, and a voice of conscience to promote the God-given dignity of elders, particularly those near the end of life.

April 2001  Aging with Dignity introduces "Next Steps," a step-by-step guide on discussing and coping with serious illness.  It includes helpful information regarding: 1) Talking with loved ones about Five Wishes 2) Talking to your doctor about Five Wishes  3) How to be by the bedside and be a health care agent 4) Answers to common questions.

May 2001 The Five Wishes at Work employer packet is available to help companies distribute Five Wishes to employees and their families.  The packet includes an implementation guide and sample promotional messages to enable easy distribution.

August 2001 Jim Towey discusses Five Wishes on NPR's All Things Considered.  Thousands of requests for Five Wishes stream in to Aging with Dignity as a result of the radio program and an article in The Los Angeles Times.

December 2001  US News & World Report publishes a feature article about Five Wishes in its Year End Finance Guide.

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1-888-5-WISHES   e-mail: fivewishes@agingwithdignity.org