World media roundup – 27 May 2014

First children’s hospice about to open in Kazan

Russia- Tatar-inform

All the construction works are completed and the hospice is planned to open on 1 June.

Digital death: log off in peace

The Times of India

From email and e-banking to shopping and social media sites, Indians have expanded their online footprint. Now, a small but rising number are planning for their digital death.

Refugees in Jordan, Syria denied cancer treatment for lack of funds

Voice of America

The UN refugee agency says hundreds of refugees in Jordan and Syria are being denied cancer treatment because of lack of funds.

More funds to help cancer children

Arab News

Princess Adela bint Abdullah signed an agreement with The Clinics Medical Center in Riyadh on behalf of SANAD Children’s Cancer Charity for financial assistance for the care of children afflicted with terminal cancer.

Swiss group to allow assisted dying for elderly who are not terminally ill

Switzerland- The Guardian

A Swiss organisation that helps people take their own lives has voted to extend its services to elderly people who are not terminally ill.

Let’s be clear about what we mean when we say euthanasia

The Conversation

Peter Saul, Senior Specialist in Intensive Care and Head of Clinical Unit in Ethics and Health Law at University of Newcastle, Australia on the debate around euthanasia.

Morality, science, and Belgium’s child euthanasia law

OUP blog

By Tony Hope, Emeritus Professor of Medical Ethics at the University of Oxford and the author of Medical Ethics: A Very Short Introduction.

The Thrive Channel dedicated to cancer survivors

Digital Journal

In order to address the crucial needs of cancer survivors across the world, Uniglobe Entertainment will launch “The Thrive Channel”, this October 2014.

Sickness, health and still saying ‘I do’

CNN

Marriage decisions are especially difficult for couples facing a terminal illness.

Poll: More stressful to care for spouse than mom

Washingotn Post

You promise “in sickness and in health,” but a new poll shows becoming a caregiver to a frail spouse causes more stress than having to care for mom, dad or even the in-laws.

And the beat goes on: therapist creates beautiful music with the heartbeats of dying patients

Daily Mail

A musical therapist who works with terminally ill children and their families at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital has begun creating musical memories using the heartbeats of dying patients.

Training community-based paediatricians in palliative care

Kevin MD

“Supporting community-based paediatricians to do much more for children with complex, life-limiting illness is a logical extension of what they already do and builds on their considerable strengths,” writes Richard Goldstein.

Life is a terminal illness

Kevin MD

Ellen Diamond writes: “Life is a terminal illness, and we all are living with the knowledge of our certain deaths. Yet we get up in the morning and make breakfast as if there’s no tomorrow. Are we all in denial? In a way, yes.”

Palliative care is everyone’s business: Let’s work together!

ehospice Australia

This week (25-31 May) is National Palliative Care Week, which has the theme: Palliative care is everyone’s business: Let’s work together.

Australians not planning for dying

ehospice Australia

A survey by Palliative Care Australia (PCA) shows that, despite widespread agreement with the importance of end of life planning, the reality is that only slightly over half the survey respondents acknowledged that their plans reflected their current circumstances.