The memories of the children we have lost, each a precious soul taken too soon by life-limiting illnesses, remain indelibly etched in our hearts. From the moment of diagnosis, the Paediatric and Perinatal Palliative Care Teams of PRPCS have embraced these families within the walls of primary care hospitals. With unwavering compassion and steadfast companionship, have walked alongside them through their journeys at MNJ Cancer Hospital (MNJIO), Niloufer Children’s Hospital, Mandara Children’s Hospice, Hyderabad and various Telangana district Palliative Care Centres. In the tender moments of care, both during illness and at the end of life, profound connections blossomed, transforming families and teams into a united community—a family bound by shared grief and hope.
The loss of these innocent lives is an unbearable sorrow that weighs heavily on the hearts of parents and health care teams alike. In honour of our beloved children lost, we have taken the heartfelt step to organise a Bereavement Support Group Event in Hyderabad. This gathering is the culmination of immense care and thoughtful planning: budgeting, cultivating a shared vision among our teams, personally inviting grieving parents and finalizing a meaningful programme designed to support one another in our journey of remembrance, sharing and healing.
The programme was attended by 22 families (Cancer – 7, Non- Cancer – 11, Perinatal – 4) PRPCS and MNJIO Paediatric, Perinatal Teams, treating Oncologist, volunteers of PRPCS and community and Make A Wish foundation members.
The programme commenced with welcoming the invited families, remembering each child by their names and personalised introduction of the families, candle lighting, a silent prayer, explaining the services provided by PRPCS. Introduction of the Paediatric Palliative Care members to the group. Sharing of the memories by the parents and the staff involved. Comfort kit for parents and gifts for siblings were given. Thereafter, High tea and an opportunity for informal greeting and one on one sharing time with the Oncologists and team members.
Follow-Up Plan: Sustain connection with parents and siblings to explore ongoing support requirements and develop strategies aimed at enhancing the quality of Paediatric Palliative Medicine in Hyderabad, India.
Explicit expression of gratitude by the parents as a wish to continue relationship with PRPCS teams. They were thankful for the event where in they could share a lot of happy and painful memories of loss and found it to be very therapeutic.
The song might have ended but the melody continues, together let us continue to hum…
Pediatric Bereavement Memorial Support Group Event
Pain Relief and Palliative Care Society (PRPCS)
Pediatric Palliative Care Program
22 October, 2024 – Hyderabad, India
Vision: Every grieving parent can find us and every parent who finds us will be helped.
Aim and Objective: To celebrate the lives of children we lost and support the grieving families.
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