In 1983 during the Solidarity and Marshal Law in Gdansk the first home care hospice in Poland was created. This experience had helped to establish other hospices in Poland, based on the voluntary work of medical staff and volunteers. Although the Hospice Movement in Poland today counts around 200 different programs, there is still a lot to do in that regard in the society.
In 2004 the Hospice Foundation was created in Gdansk, to continue 20 years of informal educational and social mission of Hospice Movement. The main purposes of this charitable organization are: Social education regarding the end of life issues, especially hospice care. Training of health care personnel, helping professions students in the end of life issues. Fundraising for the needs of hospices and palliative care organizations in Poland.

The Hospice Foundation supports the works of the National Chaplain of Hospices, who is the leader of this organization. Main areas of activities are related to the integration and promotion of Hospice Movement throughout Poland and abroad. Hospice Foundation cooperates with other similar institutions, such as The Help the Hospice Foundation in UK, or National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization in the US.

The biggest achievement of Hospice Foundation is to run the National Educational Campaign: "Hospice is a life, too". In October-November each year, for 6 weeks most of the national and regional mass media present the topic related to the theme of the campaign through the programs, interviews, etc., launching the charitable TV and radio spot messages. These campaigns had been launched in 2004, 2005, and 2006 informing the society about the end of life and Hospice Movement, and rising founds needed for the hospice and palliative care.
In 2007, the campaign will inform about hospice volunteers. Hospice Foundation is doing it in cooperation with more than 100 hospices from around Poland. We would like to send the positive message of helping the hospices through personal gift of voluntary work or donation through charitable SMS or www.hospicja.pl Hospices need volunteers and resources, which will be distributed for the needs of the patients.

You are very welcome to help us to help the others. If you live in Poland, you can see where is the nearest hospice. You can be the hospice volunteer or donate to the needs of the patients through the charitable sms – 7279 with the text: POMAGAM. You can also donate directly to the campaign bank account: 61 1540 1098 2001 5562 4727 0005.

Hospice is a life, too! Be the hospice volunteer. Support the hospice and palliative care in Poland.

 

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