World Hospice and Palliative Care Day

On Saturday, October 12 2019, something extraordinary is going to happen.

People from around the world who have been impacted by a life-limiting illness -- either personally or by supporting a loved one -- will be making their voices heard, asking policy makers to pay attention to prioritize palliative care policies and services. Further, people who have been standing in solidarity with them -- local leaders, volunteers, advocates, clinicians -- will be volunteering their time to amplify this public message: Palliative Care: it's "My Care, My Right."

About the theme

The theme My Care, My Right aims to communicate that palliative care can be demanded by the public - and that, together, every person impacted by a life limiting illness can influence their policy makers to prioritize palliative care financing under Universal Health Coverage. 

This year's WHPCD 2019 comes on the heels of the UN High Level Meeting on Universal Health Coverage (UHC) on 23 September. Therefore, a key action for the campaign will be to call on governments to listen to people who need or access palliative care and support the inclusion of the essential package of palliative care in all national Universal Health Coverage (UHC) schemes.

The sub-theme of My Care, My Right will address the importance of mobilizing communities, particularly volunteers to ensure that patient’s right to care are supported. Specifically addressing the premise that if care is a patient's right, how can UHC support carers to improve their well being under Sustainable Development Goal 3.8. 

How to get involved

1. Subscribe to the WHPCA's newsletter for campaign updates and the launch of new campaign materials: http://tiny.cc/lnky8y

2. Follow @worldhospiceday on Twitter

3. Follow hashtags: #mycaremyright and #whpcd19

4. Get in touch to translate materials into your local language by emailing: Shelley Enarson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

What is World Hospice and Palliative Care Day?

World Hospice and Palliative Care Day is a unified day of action to celebrate and support hospice and palliative care around the world. Voices for Hospices is a wave of concerts taking place on World Hospice and Palliative Care Day every two years. 

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.

The next World Hospice and Palliative Care Day is 12 October 2019. 

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.