Do Just One Thing for Children's Palliative Care

Are their days when you wonder if the work you do and the money you donate makes any difference at all? There are so many children out there with so many different needs. It is often really difficult to come to terms with all the suffering and pain experienced by children, who are entirely innocent and undeserving of any of it, and then to decide how we can each help in our own way to reduce this suffering.

At ICPCN we have carried out research to estimate just how many children there are whose lives are affected by serious and life threatening illnesses, rare diseases and genetic conditions that mean their lives are not only difficult, but a lot shorter than normal. Most of these children won't live to experience adulthood and, just like a dragonfly or a butterfly, their time on earth is fleeting. And far too often, their suffering is great.

It's not a small number. We believe there are over 21 million of these children.

ICPCN envisions a world where every child needing palliative care will receive it but that is an overwhelming number of children for us to reach. We cannot do it alone. That is where you have come to our aid in reaching these children, by doing 'Just One Thing' to make a difference. You donated to our campaign so that we can continue to do our important work and for that we are so very grateful. 

Just what is it that ICPCN does to make a difference in children's lives? Firstly we connect the global community of people and organisations who work in the field of children's palliative care. The doctors, nurses, psychologists, social workers, pharmacists, teachers, therapists, dieticians and many others who spend their days improving the lives of these beautiful but fragile butterflies. We allow them to talk to each other, to share their victories, their research, the lessons they have learned. And then we advocate for these children at every level - from local government all the way to the World Health Assembly. ICPCN is there, reminding decision makers that these children's lives matter. Their lives  may be short, but they matter as much as any other child's life and they particularly deserve to have as good a quality of life as possible.

ICPCN also leads and participates in important research that will inform the optimal care of these children and we offer strategic support and mentoring for the development of children's palliative care services.  

But most importantly, we provide free and easily accessible training and education for those who care for these children. We provide online learning on children's palliative care in 8 languages and, when we have the funds, we travel to countries where there is no expertise in children's palliative care and provide vital training to all members of the multi-disciplinary team. These are the people who do make a difference in the lives of thousands of children with shortened and difficult lives.

This year alone ICPCN has provided training to 12 people in Prague, 30 people in Lesotho and 22 more in Uganda. And to date our e-learning modules have been undertaken by 1,800 people in 120 countries. How many children's lives will all these people touch? We hope it is many thousands and that these people will in turn train others in a wonderful ripple effect.

Is that enough to reach 21 million children? The answer is no - not yet. Our reach is growing daily but we cannot do this alone. We need your assistance, and your continued support. Please consider another once off donation to this campaign or, even better, commit to provide ICPCN with a small monthly donation (as little as $8) so that we can keep doing what we do.  

If you donate to ICPCN, we promise your money will make a difference in thousands of children's lives. 

Links:

• See what ICPCN has been up to
• Learn about our online learning modules
• Wear a hat to raise awareness of CPC on 13 October