Pictured left, from left to right: Sabine Kraft, Dr Ruti Kiman, Joan Marston and Dr Mary Ann Muckaden. Far right: Dr Anna Gorchacova.
ICPCN’s Past Chair, Dr Mary Ann Muckaden from India, tells us how joining ICPCN during its early days was a profound honour:
Around the time that leaders from the world of children’s palliative care were creating the ICPCN; here in India we were also finding it difficult to get the voices of children heard. We began paediatric palliative care at the Tata Memorial Centre in 1996 and what a privilege it was that our work was recognised internationally! Dr Richard Hain, one of the first Paediatric Palliative Care Consultants in the world from Cardiff in the UK, introduced me to the world of ICPCN – imagine a little (literally and metaphorically) person from India in such an august gathering!! Well, from the outset, everyone involved felt valued and we felt the importance of contributions from experts from all over the world. We all felt that children deserved and got that recognition. From the earliest days we met and put ideas together; online and offline; when we met in person we even cooked and exercised together.
Some of our key learnings in those early days were
- All children matter – create the right environment for them in your unique situation.
- Learn from each other’s experiences
- Forge ahead with a common goal
I sincerely believe, working so unitedly together, with Joan Marston at the helm from South Africa, and with my fellow Board members representing all continents; we achieved a lot of what we envisaged, step by difficult step.
I was made Chairperson!! Though least expecting it; what an honour for me and for my country’s contributions. I did my maximum, with the backing of Tata Memorial Centre and the Indian Association of Palliative Care. Those were hectic years; but so very rewarding! I believe that the ‘commitment to the cause’ of ICPCN members; along with many other champions in this field, has placed Paediatric Palliative Care on the map of the world in a few short years. Even the Vatican recognised our work.
I cherish those years; friendships made, ideas shared, pathways created and executed in many countries, through numerous meetings and conferences, mostly funded internationally. I believe the most important contribution, was that we increased the confidence for colleagues to forge ahead in their respective countries. There are many papers published to showcase these efforts.
After my time on the Board I then went on to become the President of the Indian Association of Palliative Care, in so small measure thanks to ICPCN!
Now with Julia Downing and her committed Trustees, at the helm, we will continue to Inspire many more committed individuals to join and contribute to the cause of children. I wish ICPCN all the very best in all future endeavours. Let’s renew our commitments to ICPCN in Manila this November.
Dr Anna Gorchacova from Belarus, one of the original Board members alongside Mary Ann, shares her birthday wishes for the ICPCN:
“And 20 years have flown by and now when I look back, memories flash before my eyes.
What was and is ICPCN for me? I believe that communication and sharing experiences in palliative care is incredibly important. And ICPCN for me is exactly about the connection between professionals from all over the world. Thanks to this organization we get an invaluable opportunity to see different approaches, different methods, innovative ideas. But the basic principles of palliative care remain unchanged. Therefore, for me, ICPCN is also about the balance between innovation and preservation of old practices.
I remember all our meetings, each of them is beautiful. But for some reason I remember two in particular: in Prague and in Bombay. For 20 years, we have been communicating and uniting thanks to ICPCN. I would like to express my gratitude for this.
I hope that we have many more unforgettable meetings, great achievements and innovative ideas in the future. Happy birthday, ICPCN!”
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