Issue: Relief from pain and suffering is a basic human right. Everyone deserves the care and compassion that palliative and hospice care delivers at the end of life, but there is still a long way to go before such care is within the reach of the entire global community.
Worldwide, the development and current provision of hospice and palliative care services are either inadequate and/or inconsistent. In a recent study of 234 countries, only approximately 150 have established just one or more palliative and/or hospice care services. In the remaining countries, no palliative care activity can be identified at all (International Observatory on End of Life Care, Mapping Levels of Palliative Care Development, 2006).
The International Association for Hospice and Palliative Care’s mission is to increase the availability and access to high quality hospice and palliative care for patients and families throughout the world.
Project: I met my husband Ted in 1988 and we were soon married in 1989. I can truly say that he was both my life partner and soulmate. Our lives and ultimately, our world came to a halt when Ted was diagnosed with cancer. And after a long and valiant struggle, on April 21st, 2009, Ted passed away peacefully in the home that we shared together. During his illness, I was fortunate to be able to stay with him at home and care for him. During his life, Ted cared for many people and was loved by even more. We have been forever changed by his loss and will continue to miss him deeply every day of our lives.
As both working in a hospital and the surviving partner of a man well-known for his generosity and commitment, the loss of Ted has given me pause for reflection. Ted was able to pass away in his home with professional care available in our home environment and with myself having the honour to be at his bedside. The ability to do this should be a right NOT a privilege nor a luxury, however this is not a reality for many people.
By creating the Ted Kocsis International Hospice Foundation project I hope to both raise awareness of the serious challenges that individuals and families face as a result of the limited or lack of resources available and to eliminate the barriers posed to these individuals and families that prevent them from honouring themselves and/or their loved ones in the way that they see fit.
Goals: In order to achieve the objectives of this project, I have delineated specific and attainable goals, which include:
1. Pursuing ongoing fundraising and;
2. Initiating collaboration and professional work with others in the international community.
Benefits: By eliminating the barriers for individuals and families accessing palliative and hospice care, this project aims to facilitate every person’s right NOT to be fraught with unnecessary stress and anxiety during the limited time they have for themselves and their loved ones at their end of life. Alternatively, this project will benefit these individuals and those that surround them with the important ability to empower themselves and uphold their dignity, comfort and peace.
Help me make this a reality…Your support and donation will help The International Association for Hospice and Palliative Care to continue to help terminally ill patients and their families.
Thank you for taking the time to read my proposal and for being a part of my life, both when Ted was alive and now since he has passed away. It is through the love and support of my family and special friends that I am getting stronger every day. And it is through this project that I hope to diffuse and spread this unconditional love and strength to individuals and families, undergoing what I went through, around the globe.
My family and I will remember you in our prayers.
Best regards
Elvira