This press release has been created for event organisers to adapt for their events this year. If you need any support or have any questions, please email worldday@helpthehospices.org.uk
Events press release to be adapted
FROM WORLD HOSPICE AND PALLIATIVE CARE DAY, HOSPICE HOUSE,
34-44 BRITANNIA ST, LONDON WC1X 9JG, UK
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PRESS RELEASE
DATE
Hospices voices sound out around the world
Thousands of people in around 80 countries will be singing, dancing, reciting poetry, speaking, listening and watching at more than 1,000 events marking World Hospice and Palliative Care Day 2009 on Saturday 10 October.
In [country], xxxxxxxx [events] will be taking place ranging from xxx in xxx to xxx in xxx [most unusual/interesting and varied examples from your country].
This year’s World Hospice and Palliative Care Day theme is ‘Discovering your voice’, highlighting the voices of those affected by life-limiting and terminal illnesses around the world. Hospice supporters, employees, patients, family members and carers are sharing their stories and messages about hospice and palliative care on the World Hospice and Palliative Care Day website at www.worldday.org/share-your-story A story from Malaysia has been chosen as a unifying message to be read out at World Hospice and Palliative Care Day events around the world. In addition, a new YouTube channel will be launched (www.youtube.com/wpca09) featuring film footage and contributions from hospice and palliative care services and patients internationally.
This year the official fundraising event of World Hospice and Palliative Care Day is ‘Voices for Hospices’ (www.worldday.org/voices-for-hospices), a global musical marathon consisting of a ‘Mexican wave’ of music across time zones. Hundreds of fundraising concerts will be taking place on the same day (10 October) at 7.30pm local time in around 80 countries.
World Hospice and Palliative Care Day was launched by HRH Princess Anne in London in October 2005 with more than 1,100 events taking place in 74 countries, raising money and awareness for hospice care. Over the years high profile individuals such as Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Bono, Sir Elton John, Dame Judi Dench and Gabriel Byrne have leant theirsupport to the campaign. In 2008 it was officially sponsored by the World Health Organization.
Many hospices are charities, relying on charitable donations in order to provide care free of charge for people affected by life-limiting and terminal illnesses. Currently hospices in [country] receive on average XX% of their running costs from the government.
To find out more about World Hospice and Palliative Care Day 2009 or to post your story on the website, visit www.worldday.orgor email worldday@helpthehospices.org.uk
You can also sign a petition calling for hospice and palliative care to be a human right by visiting: www.hospicecare.com/resources/pain_pallcare_hr
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For media enquiries, please contact XXXXXXXXX
The following high quality JPEG images are available on request to illustrate this story:
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Images of hospice and palliative care in the UK and in South Africa.
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Images of events.
Notes to editors:
About World Hospice and Palliative Care Day
World Hospice and Palliative Care has been developed by the Worldwide Palliative Care Alliance (a network of national hospice and palliative care organisations) and other global partners. Details of members of the World Hospice and Palliative Care Day organising group can be found at www.worldday.org/partners
The secretariat for World Hospice and Palliative Care Day is provided by Help the Hospices, the leading charity supporting hospice care throughout the UK.
Hospices provide a wide range of care, from inpatient beds to day care or care for people in their own homes.
[insert country specific info, eg: ‘The UK government contributes an average of 32% of running costs for adult hospices in England and 15% for children’s (note: based on latest figures available) – the rest has to be obtained through charitable fundraising. (Note: health services are funded separately by the devolved government in each UK nation.) For more information on Help the Hospices visit www.helpthehospices.org.uk’]
