What is World Hospice and Palliative Care Day (WHPCD)?

World Hospice and Palliative Care Day is an annual unified day of action to celebrate and support hospice and palliative care around the world. On WHPCD will celebrate palliative care, showing the world how vital it is, and why we must make sure everyone has access, no matter where they live, who they love, what their age, or their background. Voices will be heard as people living with palliative care needs and those that care for them, speak out, telling compelling stories to make you laugh, cry and think! As the world is still in the grip of the COVID-19 pandemic, where palliative care has become even more vital, we will ask policymakers to ensure an essential package of palliative care services is tailored to individual needs. World Hospice and Palliative Care Day will show why palliative care should be included within countries’ plans and budgets to “build back better” so governments finance palliative care for all.

What is this year’s theme?

The 2021 theme is – ‘Leave no one behind – equity in access to palliative care

When does World Hospice and Palliative Care Day take place?

World Hospice and Palliative Care Day takes place on the second Saturday of October every year and Voices for Hospices takes place on the same date every two years.

What are the aims of World Hospice and Palliative Care Day?

  • To share our vision to increase the availability of hospice and palliative care throughout the world by creating opportunities to speak out about the issues
  • To raise awareness and understanding of the needs – medical, social, practical, spiritual – of people living with a life-limiting illness and their families
  • To raise funds to support and develop hospice and palliative care services around the world.

Who organises World Hospice and Palliative Care Day?

World Hospice and Palliative Care Day is organised by a committee of the Worldwide Hospice Palliative Care Alliance, a network of hospice and palliative care national and regional organisations that support the development of hospice and palliative care worldwide. The day is designed to celebrate the world of palliative care, showing the world how vital it is, and why we must make sure everyone has access, no matter where they live, who they love, what their age, or their background. Voices will be heard as people living with palliative care needs and those that care for them, speak out, telling compelling stories to make you laugh, cry and think! As the world is still in the grip of the COVID-19 pandemic, where palliative care has become even more vital, we will ask policymakers to ensure an essential package of palliative care services is tailored to individual needs. WHPCD will show why palliative care should be included within countries’ plans and budgets to “build back better” so governments finance palliative care for all.

What can you do to get involved?

There are many things you can do during and in the days, weeks, and months leading up to World Hospice and Palliative Care Day. Host an event, educate your community, or support your local hospice.

"Leave no-one behind - equity in access to palliative care"

How to get involved for World Hospice and Palliative Care Day: Follow @whpca on Twitter and Facebook looking out for these hashtags #LeaveNoOneBehind21 & #WHPCD21