2015; Volume 16, No 7, July
Global Palliative Care Community Highlights – the column that brings you initiatives from across the world
Hidden Lives / Hidden Patients: Theme announced for World Hospice and Palliative Care Day
The Worldwide Hospice Palliative Care Alliance has announced the theme for this year’s World Hospice and Palliative Care Day: ’Hidden lives, hidden patients‘. The theme will focus on the patients living in unique conditions who often struggle with access to palliative care.
Read more.
How to get involved
Visit the Worldwide Hospice Palliative Care Alliance website to find out how you can get involved and to find promotional materials to use in your own events at Worldday. Read on to find out how to hold your own film screening on World Hospice and Palliative Care Day…
Little Stars – Accomplishing the extraordinary in the face of serious illness
Mike Hill, Producer, Moonshine Movies, writes.
Little Stars is a film that tells the surprisingly life-affirming stories of young people living with life-limiting illnesses. Against the odds these youngsters are making the most of every moment thanks to the support of their loved ones and pain and palliative care teams. Regrettably, not all conditions can be cured. However, many children with life-limiting conditions will live for years. Currently, over 20 million children can benefit from palliative care, but access remains an issue. But for those who are receiving care, the results are incredible. These remarkable stories show young people finding hope, love, joy and attainment in the face of the inevitable.
Little Stars is a film you will never forget. Presented by acclaimed British actor, David Suchet CBE, the raw power, insight and emotional honesty of this human-interest documentary will leave a lasting impression.
Little Stars is formally supported by several organizations, including IAHPC.
Host a screening for World Hospice and Palliative Care Day
Not sure how to celebrate World Hospice and Palliative Care Day? Why not host a screening of the award-winning documentary from Little Stars featuring stories of 'hidden patients' from around the globe?
The theme for World Hospice and Palliative Care Day (10 October 2015), is 'Hidden Lives / Hidden Patients' – patients living in unique conditions that often struggle with access to palliative care, including children. The 52-minute film features powerful stories from the USA, Italy, Malaysia, South Africa and Australia. Screenings of the film may also be accompanied by a short film from the Little Stars series, which includes stories from the UK, Russia, India, Jordan, Germany and Greece. The film will be made available free for screenings, or to purchase for private use from 10 September.
Volunteers have pledged to translate the English transcript of the program into German, Spanish, Bahasa Indonesia, Czech, Kiswahili, Luhya, Bengali, Portuguese, Italian, Marathi, French, Malayalam, Shona, Hindi, Chinese, Chichewa, Thai and Igbo.
Join a worldwide movement
To date, 60 organisations have registered to host a screening on or around World Hospice and Palliative Care Day, and Moonshine Movies would love to see up to 200 screenings taking place worldwide, reaching up to 20,000 people.
A free copy of the DVD will be mailed to organisations and activists who pledge to host a screening of the film as part of World Day before 31 July 2015, so don't delay.
A guidebook will be supplied to those who pledge to host a screening and we encourage those participants to:
- invite those touched by children’s palliative care, as well as decision makers, to attend the screening;
- introduce the topic before the screening of the one-hour film;
- encourage a discussion about children’s palliative care after the screening which may include the presentation of a short film or a presentation spotlighting work being done locally or an upcoming project;
- ask for support of the local program or activity in the spotlight.
Register your pledge to host a screening on the Little Stars website.