Elizabeth Edwards Presented with Person of the Year Award

Elizabeth Edwards Presented with Person of the Year Award by National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization at National Conference

(Alexandria, Va) – Minutes after Elizabeth Edwards was presented with NHPCO’s Person of the Year Award, she took a moment at the podium to look at her notes as a shout came from the audience, “We love you!” A wide smile brightened her face as the audience of 1,600 broke out in spontaneous applause, filling the room with positive energy and optimism that was reinforced by Edwards’ remarks.

Edwards received NHPCO’s Person of the Year Award in recognition of her work as a fierce advocate for improved and accessible healthcare. In addition, she was acknowledged for her courage in the face of serious illness and life’s challenges and her willingness to share lessons learned from her experiences.

J. Donald Schumacher, NHPCO president/CEO, honored Edwards at the April 23rd opening session of the organization’s annual Management and Leadership Conference in Washington, DC.
The Person of the Year Award honors an individual outside of the hospice and palliative care community who is a true supporter of the hospice cause.

“Mrs. Edwards is rallying for changes to the healthcare system that will improve access, quality and—for those facing the end of life—comfort and dignity. Her personal experience in coping with cancer, caring for aging and ill parents, and her professional work in the legal and policy areas have made her a passionate proponent for change,” Schumacher said in his introduction.

A key message Edwards brought to the assembled leaders from hospice and palliative care programs across the nation was the obligation we all have of making sure that every American gets the care they need, when they need it, wherever they are.

Edwards stressed that an individual facing illness should never be defined by his/her medical condition. This philosophy—that puts the person at the center of care and emphasizes the dignity and individuality of all people—is one shared by hospice and palliative care providers.

A poignant moment came at the conclusion of her plenary address when she said she knew that one day she would need hospice care as a patient, and she thanked the attendees and all hospice professionals who care so compassionately for patients and families at the end of life.

She received a standing ovation and then graciously spent the next two hours signing autographs and copies of her book, Saving Graces: Finding Solace and Strength from Friends and Strangers.

Edwards served as the Honorary Chair of the National Hospice Foundation gala held the following Friday evening, which was attended by 600 guests. NHF’s annual gala is a philanthropic event supporting efforts to expand and improve care at the end of life.

As attention turns to the release of her new book and her publicized appearance on Oprah, NHPCO salutes Edwards for her efforts to advance care and compassion.

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Contact:

Jon Radulovic

Vice President, Communications

703-837-3139

jradulovic@nhpco.org

For more information visit, http://www.nhpco.org

Worldwide Palliative Care

New International Alliance Launched to Address Urgent Needs of Palliative Care Patients Worldwide

(Alexandria, Va – NHPCO) – Today marks the launch of the Worldwide Palliative Care Alliance (WPCA), a new global action network designed to focus exclusively on hospice and palliative care development worldwide.

More than 100 million people and their families worldwide need palliative care and support each year, however, it is estimated that only seven per cent actually receive it. The need for palliative care is often greatest in low and middle income countries where more than 70 percent of all cancer deaths occur and where the HIV burden is the highest.

The WPCA is an alliance of national and regional hospice and palliative care organizations, bringing together people around the world with a shared vision of universal access to quality palliative care. This includes the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization based in Alexandria, Virginia. With more than 34,000 members, NHPCO is the preeminent leadership organization in the U.S. representing hospice and palliative care providers and professionals.

“WPCA will provide a global voice to achieve the goal of universal access to quality palliative care,” said J. Donald Schumacher, NHPCO president and CEO, who is attending the launch of the WPCA at the 4th Worldwide Summit of National Associations of Hospice and Palliative Care in Vienna, Austria, today.

“Hospice and palliative care is still unavailable to many of those in need, especially in the developing world, with millions of people dying in pain and distress every year,” said Dr Cynthia Goh, co-chair of the WPCA, from the Asia Pacific Hospice Palliative Care Network. “Only 15 percent of the world’s countries have hospice and palliative care that is integrated with general healthcare so the formation of the WPCA is a tremendously positive step forward in helping to meet an overwhelming need.”

National hospice and palliative care organizations have been informally meeting every two years since 2003 to address this need—this group has now formally become the WPCA.

“The formation of the WPCA signifies the coming together of global palliative care leaders. Members of the WPCA will work together to support the development of hospice and palliative care services throughout the world so that all who need such care can access it. The WPCA also offers an opportunity to celebrate our diversity and share and learn from that richness to help provide palliative care for millions of people worldwide,” commented David Praill, co-chair of the WPCA, from the UK’s Help the Hospices.

For more information about WPCA, visit www.helpthehospices.org.uk/wpca

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WPCA Contact:

Bansree Takodra

Help the Hospices

Ph: 020 7520 8251

b.takodra@helpthehospices.org.uk

NHPCO Contact:

Jon Radulovic

NHPCO

703-837-3139

jradulovic@nhpco.org

For more information visit, http://www.nhpco.org