Little Stars Launched in South Africa

WORLD Hospice and Palliative Care Day was on 10 October, and to celebrate and mark the occasion, the International Children’s Palliative Care Network (ICPCN) and local organisation Umduduzi – Hospice Care for Children, hosted the premiere of award-winning documentary “Little Stars”.

The ‘Little Stars’ documentary, produced by Mike Hill and Sue Collins of Moonshine Movies, tells the surprisingly life-affirming stories of children from around the world, including South Africa, living with life-limiting conditions and receiving support in the form of hospice and palliative care.

Tracey Brand, director of Umduduzi – Hospice care for children said: “We hosted the premiere to raise awareness; few people understand the meaning of palliative care and think of hospices as somewhere for people to die. Palliative care is not just about death and dying. It is about quality of life and helping the sick to live well, supported with symptoms that are controlled.”

The premiere and cocktail party held at Durban Girls’ College was a huge success with East Coast Radio’s Cameron Claassens as MC and performances by the popular Hinds Brothers and Keely Crocker.

KZN MEC for Finance, Belinda Scott, delivered the keynote address. MEC Scott thanked the ICPCN and Umduduzi for all they are doing to improve the lives of children living with life-threatening and life-limiting illnesses.

For more information, visit www.umduduzi.co.za