National Children’s Hospice Palliative Care Day – October 9, 2025
National Children’s Hospice Palliative Care Day raises awareness about the importance of children’s hospice palliative care and how it improves the quality of living and dying for children with serious illnesses and their families. The campaign takes place every year on the second Thursday of October.
Help Shape the Future of Pediatric Palliative Care
This year, Canada’s Pediatric Palliative Care Alliance (CPPCA) and the Canadian Network of Palliative Care for Children (CNPCC) to unite healthcare professionals, leaders, families, and equity-deserving groups to create a shared vision for pediatric palliative care — to ensure all children with life-limiting illnesses receive comprehensive, high-quality care consistently across Canada.
What is Pediatric Palliative Care?
Children’s palliative care provides complete care for a child’s physical, emotional, and spiritual needs while supporting the entire family. Key principles according to World Health Organization:
Starts early — Care begins at diagnosis and continues throughout the child’s journey, whether or not they receive curative treatment
Addresses all needs — Healthcare providers must identify and treat physical pain, emotional distress, and social challenges
Involves everyone — Effective care requires a team approach that includes family members and community resources
Works anywhere — Care can be delivered in hospitals, community health centres, or at home, even with limited resources
#ShareYourJourney
Families, healthcare providers, and caregivers are invited to share their stories. Your voice helps raise awareness, foster connection, and shape a more inclusive and equitable future for care in Canada.
#HPCForChildren; #CanadasPediatricPalliativeCareAlliance; #cppca; #CNPCC; #canadiannetworkofpalliativecareforchildren; #emilyshouse; #childrenshospice; #hospiceontario; #volunteersmakeadifference; #volunteering
