ICPCN – INTERNATIONAL CHILDREN’S PALLIATIVE CARE NETWORK
The ICPCN is the only international organisation that networks individuals and organisations that work in children’s palliative care. We share a vision that the total needs of life-threatened or life-limited children should be met to encompass physical, emotional, spiritual and developmental aspects of care. Our mission is to achieve the best quality of life and care for children and young people with life-limiting conditions, their families and carers worldwide, by raising awareness of children’s palliative care, lobbying for the global development of children’s palliative care services, and sharing expertise, skills and knowledge. We believe that no child with a life-limiting condition should suffer unnecessarily and that palliative care is a professional and compassionate response to a child’s suffering.
The core objectives of the ICPCN are:
- Information
- Networking
- Advocacy
- Research
- Education
Information
The ICPCN provides a comprehensive information service on children’s palliative care which includes an online directory of services. It disseminates up-to-date information via multimedia platforms including a website, a Facebook page and weekly editions of eHospice. It responds promptly to all inquiries related to children’s palliative care.
Networking
We promote collaboration between individuals and organisations working in children’s palliative care. We also work together with national and international palliative care organisations in order to integrate children’s palliative care into their programmes and strategic activities.
Advocacy
The ICPCN provides a strong global voice for children’s palliative care through advocacy to influential global, regional and national bodies and decision makers. We identify and support national champions of children’s palliative care and encourage and invite reputable public figures to be ambassadors for the organisation.
Education
The ICPCN offers international learning opportunities through its e-learning courses as well as providing face to face training, workshops and master classes on children’s palliative care. We promote and provide guidance for the integration of education of children’s palliative care into mainstream health education.
Research
The ICPCN Scientific Committee works to grow the children’s palliative care knowledge base through research and through identifying and prioritising specific research areas to support the ICPCN strategy and demonstrate best practice models of care.
OTHER SHORTFILMS
Romance & Rare Disease – Alexandra’s Story
Filmed in Athens, Greece, the 'Alexandra's Story- Romance & Rare Disease' short film is part of the Little Stars film series and we are grateful to all those who supported the crowdfunding campaign to make filming this story possible....
Living with HIV – Naledi’s Story
In South Africa, there are over six million cases of HIV, making it the country with the biggest HIV epidemic in the world. Naledi Kopane is one of these six million. Living in Bloemfontein, Naledi was diagnosed with HIV when she was only...
Living with Cystic Fibrosis – LeeAnne’s Story
“I was just told I have six months to two years to live. I don’t feel that way right now, and I don’t look that way.” These words from 33-year old LeeAnne explain her personality and outlook better than any others. LeeAnne is from...
Pain Relief in Children’s Palliative Care – Wasswa’s Story
In Uganda we meet a Wasswa, a child being treated by Dr Henry Ddungu (Uganda) with oral morphine to treat his cancer pain. We filmed Wasswa in Uganda while we were making LIFE Before Death but felt it was important to highlight that although...
Jessica’s Story – Children’s Palliative Care in Singapore
In Singapore we meet Jessica and her family at the Hospice. “Firstly I want to tell you the story about Jessica” Hendra, Jessica’s father says. “She’s a girl who has a lot of activities, through the school she went for choir, she went for...
Living with Epilepsy – Joseph’s Story
'There is still a lot of joy to be had in life, I think there's a tendency to look on people with disabilities or people with illnesses and focus on how they're different or the negative. It's only societies attitude that limits us and I...
Benedikt’s Story – Music and Children’s Palliative Care
Please consider supporting the important work of Bundesverband Kinderhospiz E.V www.bundesverband-kinderhospiz.de Benedikt lives in Speyer, Germany with his parents. He has a great passion for music and loves playing drums. Through his...
Shaden’s Story – Social Support for Cancer Patients
Shades lives with her family in Amman, Jordan. At 13 years old she has already endured years of treatment and recovery from childhood Leukemia. Through children’s palliative care she has found strength and connection with others. Shaden...