The Institute for Palliative Medicine at San Diego Hospice Celebrates World Hospice & Palliative Care Day with a Variety of Initiatives

(SAN DIEGO) – The International Programs at The Institute for Palliative Medicine at San Diego Hospice joins the global hospice and palliative care community in celebrating World Hospice & Palliative Care Day on October 8.  The International Programs’ commitment to expanding palliative care can be seen through its work providing consultations, professional education and technical assistance to countries, healthcare systems and organizations across the globe. Additionally, the International Programs are proud to announce several recent, and forthcoming, initiatives that increase awareness and leadership in the fields of hospice and palliative care.

One ongoing initiative supported by the International Program is the documentary project Treat the Pain / LIFE Before Death.  Produced by Australia-based Moonshine Movies, this project features 50 short films, a full-length feature film and TV documentary that focus on the global epidemic of untreated pain and the need for palliative care. The International Programs are currently disseminating these videos through their new webpage (www.ipcrc.net/news/treat-the-pain), which also features calls to action, a public comment section and additional resources.

Additionally, the International Programs is looking forward to the successful conclusion of its inaugural International Palliative Care Leadership Development Initiative (LDI) class next month. For the past two years, 21 doctors from low and moderate resource countries participated in a variety of leadership activities, both in their home-countries and during three week-long visits to San Diego. Their final visit to San Diego, November 6-12, 2011, will provide participants the chance to share what they have learned and accomplished during the LDI course as well as outlining their future goals and plans. View the LDI video highlighting the impact of this groundbreaking initiative.

Lastly, we invite you to join San Diego Hospice and The Institute for Palliative Medicine’s new Twitter campaign, #WeAreHospice, which advocates for the importance of hospice and palliative care for those living with a serious or life-limiting illness around the world. By using this Twitter hashtag, you can share your knowledge and passion on this important topic. Whether you or a family member has experienced hospice care, or you are a healthcare professional working in the field of hospice and palliative care, use of the #WeAreHospice hashtag will help spread awareness that seriously ill patients across the globe should have access to quality hospice and palliative care programs.

To learn more about other global efforts for World Hospice & Palliative Care Day, visit http://www.worldday.org 

To learn about San Diego Hospice and The Institute for Palliative Medicine, visit http://www.sdhospice.org

Contact Information

Melissa DelaCalzada

Director, Communications and Community Relations

San Diego Hospice and The Institute for Palliative Medicine

mdelacalzada@sdhospice.org