Wherever you’re headed one week from today on Friday, 12 October, make sure you wear a hat and lend your support to the #HatsOn4CPC initiative, raising awareness and funds for palliative care services offered to children with life-threatening or life-limiting illnesses.
Organised by The International Children’s Palliative Care Network (ICPCN), #HatsOn4CPC both raises funds and creates awareness about the vital work being done by children’s hospices and palliative care services globally. ICPCN plays a strategic role within the international health and palliative care arena, assisting countries and organisations to develop services and promote universal access to palliative care for children and their families.
Prof Julia Downing, ICPCN’s Chief Executive calls upon everyone to wear a hat next Friday 12 October
Holistic care
Children’s palliative care (CPC) is holistic care that responds to the unique physical, emotional, social and spiritual needs of a child with a life-threatening or life-limiting illness, as well as the needs of the child’s family. Physiotherapy, occupational therapy, counselling, and social services are just some of the resources are offered. All assistance is tailored according to the needs of the child and family.
Some of the illnesses treated include:
– Cancer
– Congenital abnormalities
– Cystic fibrosis
– Severe Down’s Syndrome
– Organ failure
– Moderate to severe cerebral palsy
– Neuromuscular conditions
– HIV/AIDS
– Drug-resistant TB
– Severe malnutrition
– Metabolic conditions
– Rare diseases
The primary palliative concern is that the child’s pain and symptoms are relieved so that they are able to enjoy the best possible quality of life, for whatever period of time that may be. CPC also supports the child and family at the end of a child’s life with bereavement care provided for as long as it is needed. This specialised care is delivered by a dedicated team of people, many of whom wear many different hats – symbolically represented in the #HatsOn4CPC initiative.
Show your support
If you would like to support the 5th annual #HatsOn4CPC awareness campaign, just follow these 3 simple steps:
- Wear a hat to work, college or school on Friday, 12 October 2018.
- Take a selfie and post it to social media using #HatsOn4CPC and tag ‘ ICPCN’.
- Donate online at www.ICPCN.org or directly to your nearest children’s hospice or palliative care service.
Those motivated to do more to raise awareness for these children can encourage businesses and schools to get involved. Alternatively, get creative and host a ‘Mad Hatter’s Tea Party’ , or a Funky Hat Day and be sure to take photos and tag ICPCN using #HatsOn4CPC. You are encouraged to register your event online so it can be added to the ICPCN Map of Hats On Events.
To find out more, visit http://www.icpcn.org/hatson4cpc/ or contact ICPCN at media@icpcn.org
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