George Mark Children’s House
March 1, 2009
George Mark Children’s House is a freestanding pediatric palliative care facility for respite and end-of-life care for children with terminal illness. It is a remarkable program … the only one like it in the country.
Please visit their website. You may need help from them or want to give a special gift to keep their doors open. This place is priceless.
“At the Edge of Life … “
January 18, 2009
Below is an article in the Dallas morning news (12/31/09) that chronicles the lives of 9 families as they deal with the life-threatening illness of a loved one and the difficult decisions they must confront. At the Edge of Life: life and death in 21st century medicine is a 5 part series with videos and interactive tools.
It is an excellent article that gives an in-depth look at the difference a palliative care team can make in the hospital setting. Keep in mind as you read this article that a person doesn’t have to be dying or accept that death is near for palliative care to be chosen. Palliative care is a treatment that can be added to any other treatment plan a person chooses. It can be in addition to or used as the only form of treatment.
You don’t have to give anything up to receive it.
Celebrating at Town Lake
October 24, 2008
We set up on the other side of the Stevie Ray Vaughn memorial statue on Town Lake 2 weeks ago to celebrate World Hospice and Palliative Care Day 2008.
The weather couldn’t have been better. We were in a cozy nook of the park along the trail, enjoying the musicians who came to play and watch the sunset over downtown Austin.
One of the goals of World Hospice Day is to bring awareness to the healing power of hospice into the lives of the dying and their loved ones. The other is to bring awareness internationally about the lack of palliative care in many countries. People around the world are suffering as they face serious illness and as they die. Initiatives have begun and are strengthening due to this event which is growing every year.
We accomplished what we set out to do. Many people stopped and enjoyed the evening with us. We had speakers in between the songs giving us a look into their experience with hospice. Chaplains, nurses, and movers and shakers in the hospice local and international scene were there sharing their insights.
We’ll be there every year…at the Stevie Ray Vaughn memorial statue at Town Lake on the second Saturday of October.
See you next year!
On behalf of
International Association of Hospice and Palliative Care
Jane Alder
Stan Wilson
Roni Spector
Dr. Lee Friarson-Stroud
David Stroud
Pam Walls
Roni Kendal
Danielle Cochran
Karla Hamelin
Laurie Scott
Keith Bray
Janice Spence
Mary Lou Manchaca
Jamie spector
Kiffeny Wilson
Monte Siesta Nursing and Rehabilitation
Heart to Heart Hospice
The Cancer Connection
Runtex
October 11, 2008
October 3, 2008
Austin. Texas ~ The 2nd Annual Austin celebration of World Hospice & Palliative Care Day is coming next Saturday, October 11th! This year we’ll be at the beautiful shores of Town Lake at the Stevie Ray Vaughn memorial from 6:30pm to 8:00pm. We’ll be listening to some fine music from Tony Morris, internationally known classical guitarist, starting at 7:00pm to 8:00pm. If you have music to share of whatever style and want to jam afterwards, come on down!
We’ll be there to share the revolution of hospice and palliative care right here in Austin as well as in the world. Mostly we are gathering to celebrate the comfort this service is bringing to the dying and their families. There is much to celebrate!
Details:
Date & Time: Saturday, October 11, 2008
6:30pm - 8pm
Location: Stevie Ray Vaughn Memorial
Shores of Town Lake, Austin
(just west of the Gazebo at the 1st street bridge & Riverside)
Featured Performer:
Tony Morris, 7:00pm
6:pm - 7:00. Discussion & Education
8pm - ?, Music round robin/jam
any style/any instruments
for more information, please visit: the Austin website and the World Website
The Planning Begins
July 14, 2008
I’m getting together this week with Larry Farrow, Executive Director, and Brandie Baker of the Texas New Mexico Hospice Organization. They are the organizers this year and Quality of Life Care is going to co-coordinate. Basically we’ll do whatever Larry says.  : )
Stay tuned. This year will be a blast. Last year the cradle was built and we put World Hospice and Palliative Care day in our Austin town on the map. Larry has some great things up his sleeve.
visit: the World Website & the Austin Celebration website for more information
From the ‘Help the Hospices’ Website
March 16, 2008
(the following article in its entirety is from the Help the Hospices Website)
What is World Hospice and Palliative Care Day?
World Hospice and Palliative Care Day is a unified day of action to celebrate and support hospice and palliative care around the world.
The theme for World Day 2008 which will take place on October 11th is “Hospice and palliative care: a human right”.
When does World Hospice and Palliative Care Day take place?
World Hospice and Palliative Care Day takes place on the second Saturday of October every year and Voices for Hospices takes place on the same date every two years. Future dates are:
- October 11th 2008 – World Hospice and Palliative Care Day
- October 10th 2009 – World Hospice and Palliative Care Day with Voices for Hospices
What are the aims of World Hospice and Palliative Care Day?
- To share our vision to increase the availability of hospice and palliative care throughout the world by creating opportunities to speak out about the issues
- To raise awareness and understanding of the needs – medical, social, practical, spiritual – of people living with terminal diagnosis and their families.
- To raise funds to support and develop hospice and palliative care services around the world.
Who organises World Hospice and Palliative Care Day?
World Hospice and Palliative Care Day is organised by a committee of the Worldwide Palliative Care Alliance, a network of hospice and palliative care national and regional organisations that support the development of hospice and palliative care worldwide. To view members of the organising committee, go to http://www.worldday.org/partners.asp.
What has happened on previous World Hospice and Palliative Care Days?
Every year approximately 70 countries take part in the celebrations with activities including public awareness raising campaigns, advocacy with policy makers, fundraising events and public launches.
Activities that took place in 2007 included the launch of the World Health Organization module on palliative care.
Find out more about previous World Hospice and Palliative Care Days.
World Hospice and Palliative Care Day 2007.
World Hospice and Palliative Care Day 2006.
For more information, about World Hospice and Palliative Care Day 2005, please read the evaluation
Executive summary
Full evaluation
To view photographs from previous events, go to the World Hospice and Palliative Care Day and Voices for Hospices photo library at: www.worldday.dk
Who can get involved?
The day is for anyone and everyone who cares about or is involved in hospice and palliative care anywhere in the world. If you are an organisation or an individual, with or without experience of hospice and palliative care, you can do something to support hospice and palliative care worldwide.
How can you get involved in World Hospice and Palliative Care Day 2008?
To get involved with World Hospice and Palliative Care Day, visit the Get involved page. This gives you ideas and suggestions on what you can do on the day to support people living with life-limiting illnesses and their families.
Contact us
Please contact the organisers for any information or queries that you may have on worldday@helpthehospices.org.uk or call +44(0)207 520 8250.
About hospice and palliative care around the world
