November 2026
Children’s palliative care is about more than managing illness. It is about making room for childhood, with comfort, connection, joy and moments that matter. It supports children living with serious illnesses and the families who walk alongside them, helping them find meaning and togetherness in each day. This edition celebrates the little lives and the big moments that compassionate care makes possible.
Little Smiles, Superpowers, and the Magic of Childhood
Childhood is one of the most beautiful chapters of our lives — a time of curiosity, exploration, friendships, and countless little wonders that shape who we become.
But for children receiving palliative care, childhood can unfold very differently. Curious eyes may find their world confined to hospital rooms, laughter interrupted by medical procedures, and the colours of childhood overshadowed by the routines of treatment. Yet, beneath these circumstances, there are still little hearts longing to play, curious minds eager to explore, and childhoods waiting to be lived.
Perhaps it is from recognising this that Golden Butterflies – Children’s Palliative Care Foundation, based in Chennai, envisioned Adi Dhool, its annual carnival celebrating childhood in all its vibrancy.
This year, I was fortunate to witness this celebration as part of my institutional visit to the Foundation. A day before the carnival, I met the team, who were busy preparing gifts, arranging materials, and coordinating the event. Their enthusiasm offered a glimpse of what awaited us, but little did I anticipate the vibrant celebration that unfolded the next day
The venue came alive with student volunteers, trustees, staff members, parents, and children from diverse diagnostic backgrounds. Games, sports, competitions, face painting, food, music, and dance filled the day with excitement. But what stayed with me most was seeing the children immersed in the joy of simply being themselves.
For that day, they were not defined by their diagnoses. They were children — playing, laughing, exploring, and celebrating childhood.
“This Is My Day”: A Celebration of Life, Care and Togetherness
World Hospice and Palliative Care Day 2026 celebrations at Pallium India
“This is my day… The day I get to go out, enjoy myself and be happy.”
A statement made by a beneficiary that stayed with me throughout the day at the World Hospice and Palliative Care Day (WHPCD) celebrations organised by Pallium India on 10 October 2026.
She had just stepped out of one of the several buses arranged to ferry 1,500 registered beneficiaries, family members, volunteers and staff. Her enthusiasm and energy were palpable as she came up to the registration counter with her young son. She said she had woken up at four in the morning and had even woken her son up to get ready for the day.
I had just taken out my laptop to work on some last-minute design changes at the counter when she asked me if she would have to leave at 2pm. She wanted to stay until the end of the programme and didn’t want to miss out on anything! The staff manning the counter quickly pointed out that the buses would return only at the end of the programme and that she needn’t worry.
She went on to say how much she had been looking forward to the day, as it would give her a chance to step out of her house. She had been paralysed and had received care and rehabilitation support from Pallium India.
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Beyond the Sessions: Reflections from the Field
A Drive to the Sea, A Memory for a Lifetime
After years of working with adult patients, moving to the Children’s Palliative Care team felt like entering a different world. With adults, we often help them make peace with their past. With children, we help them find joy in the present moment. I understood this difference truly on 27th October 2026.
We went for a home visit to see a little girl. She was the only child of her parents. She couldn’t speak, but, she understood the world in her own beautiful way, and required complete support for all her daily needs. She had lived with complex medical conditions since birth.
When we entered, she was sitting quietly in her chair. Her mother was right beside her, as always. Her presence was her daughter’s entire world. Her father was also at home, a fisherman who had not been able to go to sea for weeks due to rain.
What struck me was her silence and her mother’s love. A love that is present every minute, every hour, without a break, without rest, for years together. The mother had not stepped out for herself, had not slept peacefully, had not known what respite means. And yet, there was so much love and tenderness in that small house.
We decided to do something very simple. We asked them if they would like to come with us to the beach in our vehicle.
Kuttikkoottam – October 2026
A One-day Camp organised for the Children under Education Support on 24 October 2026 at Mitraniketan City Centre, Thiruvananthapuram
What’s It Like to Live with Serious Illness?
The moment of diagnosis is often pivotal to an individual’s identity, say clinicians, experts, and those who have experienced it. Serious illness is a turning point, dividing life forever into “before” and “after.”
Borrowed Rain
I have been kept alive
by hands I did not know
names that brushed past me
like wind through a street of trees.
There were days I was bark split open
illness nesting in my rings
grief sitting heavy in my branches…
This haunting poem by Gokul K Gopikrishna, a Community Social Officer at Pallium India, echoes the profound and ongoing change in one’s physical capacity, mental energy, and personal identity that chronic or serious illness has. It affects every aspect of daily life and is rarely a static state, requiring continuous adaptation to a “new normal” where health management is woven into ordinary, daily tasks.
A Day That Belonged to Everyone
World Hospice and Palliative Care Day at Pallium India
Preparations for World Hospice and Palliative Care Day, celebrated on the second Saturday of October, had begun months in advance. The staff and volunteers had come together early on, working wholeheartedly to make the programme as wonderful as possible. The thought of making this one beautiful day of the year for patients and their families had already taken root in everyone’s hearts.
For personal reasons, I could not be part of the preparations. But I was determined to attend the event. Not only did I make up my mind to be there, I reminded everyone at home about it several times beforehand!
And then, the day arrived.
The moment I reached Pallium India and boarded one of the buses arranged to ferry patients to the venue, someone called out, “Saleena chechi!” It was Krishnendu, the young girl who had become like a little sister to me when I first visited Pallium India’s inpatient unit. As I turned around, I saw so many familiar faces. Nobody felt like a stranger. Then again, sometimes, all it takes is a smile to make someone feel like an old friend.
When Care Becomes a Burden
Looking beyond medical treatment to understand the lives of those receiving care
Being alive is a blessing. But how we live matters just as much. Being able to meet our basic needs, earn a living, maintain relationships, and live with dignity are all part of our quality of life. We seek healthcare to protect our health and improve our lives. But what happens when the cost of receiving care begins to affect the very life we are trying to protect?
I remember a couple. They were farmers who cultivated leased land for their livelihood. They had no children, and other members of their family were living with disabilities. The husband had developed a non-healing ulcer that significantly affected his mobility. Working in the fields while managing the wound became increasingly difficult. As his condition progressed, his wife had to spend more time caring for him, making it difficult for both of them to continue farming.
Government healthcare services were helpful, but they still had to purchase certain medications from private pharmacies. As the days passed, medical bills accumulated while their income declined. Eventually, they began borrowing money from relatives and friends to manage their expenses.
Trivandrum Institute of Palliative Sciences (TIPS), Pallium India
| Beneficiaries reached till October 2026: | 32,417 | |
| Palliative Care centres / services catalysed: | 256 | |
| Stakeholders trained (virtual and onsite): | 12,375 |
Global Fellowship in Palliative Medicine course is a one-year hybrid program
offered by Trivandrum Institute of Palliative Sciences, Pallium India.
Apply for the next Batch NOW!
Checkmate for Palliative Care is an awareness campaign for palliative care led by Karina Grace from Sishya School in Chennai, and Beyond Grades. The online chess tournament is held on the last Sunday of every month on Lichess.org.
Pallium India is raising support to provide 35 wheelchairs for patients across our inpatient, outpatient, home-care and children’s palliative care services. The wheelchairs will support patients with paraplegia, quadriplegia and other severe mobility limitations in our care.
With generous supporters, we have almost raised 63% of the goal. Help us bridge the remaining gap and provide patients with greater mobility and independence.
Every contribution brings us closer to completing this essential requirement.
For more details and to contribute, click here!
International
Australian Charity Brings Communities Together to Support Palliative Care in India
Paalam – The Bridge to Humanity (PBH), a charity based in Australia’s capital, Canberra, organised two events in September 2026 to raise awareness and funds for palliative care. This care focuses on relieving suffering and improving quality of life for people with serious illnesses, while supporting their families.
Working across India, Sri Lanka and Australia, PBH combines community education, fundraising and clinical expertise. Its collaboration with Pallium India supports home-based palliative care in Tamil Nadu and Bengaluru, helping patients receive care in the comfort of their homes.
The first event, an information session in Canberra on 17 September, introduced Pallium India’s work to about 50 attendees, including the High Commissioner of Mauritius and prominent community leaders. It offered an opportunity for the Australian community to understand and support palliative care needs in India.
The second event, “Kalpavriksha – The Journey of Wishes,” brought together music, dance, fashion and food at the Pioneer Theatre in Sydney on 27 September. The fundraising evening supported Pallium India and Sydney’s Adolescent and Young Adult Hospice, which cares for young people with life-limiting conditions.
Beyond its work in India, PBH conducts cancer screening and palliative care awareness programmes in Australia and promotes stem cell donor registration among communities from diverse cultural and language backgrounds. In Sri Lanka, it supports healthcare professional training and has established ARAVANAI, a dedicated end-of-life care ward at Tellipalai Cancer Hospital in the country’s north, where patients can stay with their families during their final days.
Through these initiatives, PBH connects communities across borders to help make compassionate care accessible to more patients and families.
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Reports / News / Articles
Improving Access to Pain Relief
Pallium India Organises Opioids Availability Workshop in Bihar
Access to essential pain-relief medicines remains a crucial component of quality palliative care. Strengthening awareness of regulatory requirements and building the capacity of healthcare institutions are important steps towards ensuring that patients with serious illnesses receive appropriate pain relief.
With this objective, Pallium India, in collaboration with Mahavir Cancer Sansthan, Patna, organised an Online Opioids Availability Workshop (OAW) for Bihar on 12 October 2026. The session brought together approximately 35 participants, including doctors, paramedical staff and other professionals associated with palliative care.
Paediatric Cancer Awareness Month
September 2026
Bridging medicinal gaps in childhood cancer care in Chhattisgarh
During Paediatric Cancer Awareness Month in September 2026, Niramayah Cancer Foundation (NCF) reflected on its continuing efforts to address critical medicinal needs among children receiving cancer care in Chhattisgarh. Working in coordination with the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Raipur, and Balco Medical Centre (BMC), Raipur, the Foundation has sought to respond to urgent treatment requirements, particularly when time is limited and financial resources are scarce for economically disadvantaged families. In childhood cancer, timely access to prescribed medicines can be integral to maintaining treatment continuity.
Advancing Compassionate Care
World Hospice and Palliative Care Day 2026 Celebrations in Uttarakhand and Bihar
On 10 October 2026, healthcare institutions across Uttarakhand and Bihar observed World Hospice and Palliative Care Day, highlighting the importance of pain relief, compassionate care and improving the quality of life of people living with serious illnesses. The programmes brought together healthcare professionals, community representatives and other stakeholders to strengthen awareness and promote a more integrated, person-centred approach to palliative care.
Yamuna Karuna Sanstha Announces Plans for New Hospice in Paonta Sahib on World Palliative Care Day 2026
Yamuna Karuna Sanstha observed World Hospice & Palliative Care Day on 10th October 2026 (Saturday) at 4:00 PM with a special awareness program. The program was organized in collaboration with Rotary Club Paonta Sahib, Rotary Paonta Sakhi and Innerwheel Club Paonta Sahib.
The program was held under the leadership of Rtn Dr Parvesh K Sablok, President, Yamuna Karuna Sanstha.
A total of 75 persons including Rotarians, Innerwheel members, doctors, volunteers and prominent citizens attended the program.
What Latha Needed: Listening. Staying. Being.
Sometimes, what a person needs most is not another prescription or another investigation. It is someone who will sit with them, listen to their fears and help them find the courage to take the next step.
Latha is just 42. Like many women, she has spent much of her life looking after others. She too, has responsibilities to shoulder, difficulties to overcome and very little time to think about her own needs. When she came into contact with Pallium India, she was already receiving care for chronic low back pain. But there was something else that needed attention.
In March 2026, she was referred to our Palliative Care Dentistry (PCD) team with a painful ulcer on the left side of her tongue that had refused to heal.
She had visited several local dental clinics. The ulcer had been treated as a possible vitamin deficiency, but the pain persisted. Recognising the need for further evaluation, the PCD team referred her to Government Dental College, Thiruvananthapuram, and facilitated a specialist consultation, where a biopsy was advised.
But Latha was afraid.
News and updates from Pallium India’s Mission Karnataka operating out of General Hospital, Jayanagar, Bengaluru.
Pallium India Brings Community Together to Strengthen Palliative Care Awareness in Bengaluru
Pallium India’s Karnataka Mission brought together more than 60 participants—including healthcare professionals, caregivers, volunteers, NGOs, NSS students and Resident Welfare Association representatives—for a community engagement and palliative care awareness programme at General Hospital, Jayanagar, Bengaluru, on 16 October 2026.
Held as part of World Hospice and Palliative Care Month under the theme “Listening. Connecting. Building a Community of Care,” the programme created a space for dialogue on the needs of patients and families living with serious illnesses, and the role communities can play in strengthening access to palliative care.
The discussions highlighted the importance of listening to patients and caregivers, recognising the emotional and social dimensions of serious illness, and building partnerships between healthcare institutions and community organisations. Key speakers included Dr Surendra K. S., Medical Superintendent, General Hospital, Jayanagar; Dr Sudha B. M., OPD Surgeon; Dr Aamrut Kadam, Deputy Director, RGUHS; and Dr Priya Treesa Thomas of NIMHANS, Bengaluru.
The event also highlighted Pallium India’s palliative care OPD at General Hospital, Jayanagar, and its free home-based palliative care services within a 10-kilometre radius of the hospital. Through its Karnataka Mission, Pallium India aims to bring compassionate, patient-centred care closer to people’s homes while strengthening community participation and referral pathways.
The programme marked an important step towards building a more connected and compassionate network of care in Karnataka – one that listens to patients and families and brings communities together to ensure that no one faces serious illness alone.
Video of the Month
The Daily Life Of Children Fighting Rare Diseases
Witness the extraordinary courage of children and the groundbreaking medical work happening inside one of the world’s leading pediatric hospitals. This powerful documentary follows young patients like Daniel, fighting aggressive juvenile arthritis, Rean, undergoing complex spinal fusion surgery for scoliosis, and Romeo, an infant defying the odds with a severe heart defect. From overcoming needle phobias to battling rare genetic disorders, their inspiring stories of resilience, alongside the unwavering dedication of the doctors and nurses, show what it takes to mend the most fragile lives.
Subscribe to Pallium India’s YouTube channel for videos related to palliative care and our activities. You can watch previous webinars and training sessions, as well as listen to caregivers, survivors and others sharing their experiences.
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Book of the Month
It’s Still Ok to Laugh
Grief can bring tears, but it can also leave room for laughter. It’s Still OK to Laugh is a tender picture book that gently reminds children experiencing loss that sadness and joy can coexist. Through warm language and heartfelt illustrations, it gives children permission to cry, laugh, and find moments of happiness again—without feeling that they have loved any less.
Inspired by the author, Julie Devaney Hogan’s own experience of cancer, this comforting story opens the door to conversations about grief, serious illness and the many feelings that come with loss. A thoughtful resource for families, teachers and anyone supporting a child through a difficult time.
Love stays. Memories stay. Laughter can stay too.
Walk with the Weary – by Dr M R Rajagopal
A masterclass in how to care for others deeply and compassionately no matter who they are, Walk with the Weary is simultaneously the story of Dr Rajagopal’s life and his calling and the world of Indian palliative care.
Palliative Care Telehealth
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Parting Shot
They Say They Are Old…
They say they are old.
They say they no longer hold
the strength they once carried,
the speed with which they walked,
the things they once could do.
But do you know…
There lies a heart
that is still young-
still longing,
still loving,
still dreaming,
still waiting to be heard.
Every fold carries
an untold burden.
Every wrinkle bears witness
to an unfolded dream.
Every line upon the face
has a story to tell-
if only you have
an ear to hear.
There lies a mind
that struggles to accommodate
the changing world-
new words,
new ways,
new technologies,
new rules
in a world that once
made perfect sense.
Pallium India Newsletter: Global Communications Partner
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