Picture Credit: Shane O’Neill Photography.
As Children’s Hospice Week 2017 kicks off, LauraLynn, Ireland’s only Children’s Hospice is calling on a renewed focus on the needs of families struggling to live as normal a life as possible, whilst caring for their seriously ill child and other children.
Commenting on the stark reality of the situation, Sharon Morrow, LauraLynn CEO said, “there are over 3,800 children in Ireland currently living with a life-limiting condition, with 700 of them and their families needing hospice care. Tragically, 352 children with a life limiting illness will die this year, most within their first year of life. For many of these families, specialist palliative care services that they so badly need are inaccessible”.
Ireland is the only country with a policy for palliative care for children with life-limiting conditions. “Now that we have the policy in place, what families need is a cohesive service plan for hospice care to ensure their children, regardless of where they are living, can access the care they need.
To mark Children’s Hospice Week LauraLynn is calling for the Government, the HSE and healthcare professionals to work with us to create a plan for the hundreds of children living with life-limiting conditions in Ireland, and their families who need hospice care now”, commented Sharon Morrow, LauraLynn CEO.
Children’s Hospice Week takes place from 22nd – 28th May and focuses on the incredible little heroes, the seriously ill children and their families, cared for by LauraLynn. Family time is precious and as the only children’s hospice in the state LauraLynn provides essential support to families at the toughest of times in the hospice, in the hospital, in the community or in their home, whatever the child and family wish.
Since opening in September 2011, LauraLynn Children’s Hospice has provided specialised hospice care to more than 325 children with life-limiting conditions and their families. Unlike a hospital, a hospice focuses on how a child can live with their condition, and provide support for the wider family who are often under immense physical, emotional and financial pressure.
Throughout Children’s Hospice Week, TV3 will be partnering with LauraLynn for the third year to raise awareness and vital funds for Ireland’s only Children’s Hospice. The partnership will see TV3 host and air the first Children’s Hospice Telethon across all daytime programmes on Friday 26th May. All funds raised will provide specialised care and support for children with life-limiting illness and for their families.
For more information on how you can ‘Be a Hero’ for Children’s Hospice Week log on to www.tv3.ie or www.lauralynn.ie OR text SUPERHERO to 50300 to donate €4*