What is World Hospice and Palliative Care Day (6 October)?

It is a unified day of action to celebrate and support hospice and palliative care around the world.

It is held on the second Saturday of October every year and Voices for Hospice takes place on the same date every two years.

It will take place this year on 6 October 2007 with Voices for Hospices, the global musical marathon event which has over 500 concerts around the world and is the official fundraising event for World Hospice and Palliative Care Day 2007.

It is an activity led by The Worldwide Palliative Care Alliance, a network of hospice and palliative care organisations dedicated to the development of hospice and palliative care around the world.

It is facilitated by the UK organisation Help the Hospices and is co-sponsored by the World Health Organisation.

What are the aims of this 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 life-limiting illness and their families

• To raise funds to support and develop hospice and palliative care services around the world

What happened on previous World Hospice and Palliative Care Days?

In 2005 and 2006, over 70 countries took part in the celebrations with a huge range of activities from nationwide campaigns to cycling rallies, art exhibitions, conferences, religious activities and many others.

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.

Messages of support from distinguished personalities, individuals, organisations and associations involved in hospice and palliative care around the globe are received and welcomed.

This typical message was received from Bono, Irish Rock Band, U2: “In life you try to hold on tight to your dignity; in death sometimes others have to hold on to it for you. The premise of hospice care is very close to the bone for me. The hospice was available to look after my father before he died of cancer. These people are kind of angels. They escort you to the door of your death. They are midwives for delivery into your next life. The comfort and relief they provide is exponential, it spills over to family, friends, colleagues. It is a blessing that everyone should be able to receive.”

Theresa Naudi is Chairperson of the Malta Hospice Movement