06 August 2024
Two Worlds Cancer Collaboration (TWCC) and Canuck Place Children’s Hospice today announced a partnership to build capacity for children’s palliative care internationally through the Children’s Palliative Care Leadership Program in South and Southeast Asia.
Canuck Place is B.C. and the Yukon’s pediatric palliative care provider and TWCC is a Canadian-based charity that supports palliative and healthcare capacity building in South and Southeast Asia.
“There is just a huge unmet need for the type of training the Children’s Palliative Leadership Program fills,” said Dr. Megan Doherty, Director of the Sunflower Children’s Network. “I think we didn’t know that at first, but then seeing how many applications we received, we were just overwhelmed. Clearly we are filling a need that we actually didn’t even realize existed before the program was launched.” – Dr. Megan Doherty, Director of the Sunflower Children’s Network
Canuck Place Nurse Practitioner and Enhanced Community Care Lead, Camara van Breemen is one of seven mentors for the Children’s Palliative Care Leadership Program. van Breemen has volunteered with TWCC since 2018 and is also a director. Canuck Place is supporting the Children’s Palliative Care Leadership Program with in-kind support and funding along with seven other regional and global healthcare organizations including the CIPLA Foundation in India.
Canuck Place Nurse Practitioner and Enhanced Community Care Lead, Camara van Breemen (top left) is one of seven mentors for the Children’s Palliative Care Leadership Program. van Breemen has volunteered with TWCC since 2018 and is also a director. Canuck Place is supporting the Children’s Palliative Care Leadership Program with in-kind support and funding along with seven other regional and global healthcare organizations. Here she facilitates an online education session as part of the Leadership Program. (Screengrab via ZOOM)
“At Canuck Place, our skilled clinical team makes a difference in the quality of life for children with life-threatening illnesses,” said Canuck Place CEO Denise Praill. “We know sharing our skill and knowledge through training and education opportunities with healthcare professionals will improve care globally. We are proud to partner with world-leading organizations like TWCC. Working with the Children’s Palliative Care Leadership Program alongside a diverse group of healthcare leaders is an honour. Collaboration enables us to all champion healthcare innovations in children’s palliative care. Collaboration is key to improving care for children in B.C. and globally who face life-threatening illnesses.” – Denise Praill, Canuck Place CEO
This innovative, year-long leadership program is a joint venture with Canuck Place, TWCC’s Sunflower Children’s Network, and several partners. It brings together a diverse group of 19 emerging healthcare leaders from across South and Southeast Asia to help develop leadership skills to enable palliative care capacity building in their regions.
“We were inspired by our colleagues in South Asia, and their dedication to improve the lives of seriously-ill children and their families. However, moving projects forward, creating services, and impacting the system is extremely difficult no matter where you are,” said van Breemen. “This program which includes learnings on advocacy, grant writing, fundraising, and leadership also provides mentorship and guidance on a chosen project that has an aim of growing pediatric palliative care in their local setting. Through the year we learn together, share challenges, and celebrate the wins. It is awe-inspiring to see the work that has been accomplished thus far.”
“Partnering with Canuck Place brings us together in a shared purpose building palliative care capacity, helping those needing this compassionate care in other parts of the world,” said Dr. Simon Sutcliffe, TWCC President and former President and CEO, BC Cancer. “Children with cancer and other life-limiting diseases have needs requiring multiple diverse skills and experiences that Canuck Place brings to this partnership.” – Dr. Simon Sutcliffe, TWCC President and former President and CEO, BC Cancer
Camara van Breemen, Canuck Place Nurse Practitioner and Enhanced Community Care Lead
Four other Canuck Place palliative care professionals also volunteer with TWCC: Dr. Peter Louie, Dr. Natasha Datoo, Nurse Practitioner Rachel Neufeld, and Nurse Melanie Hameluck. These Canuck Place clinicians have provided in-person and online education and mentorship for TWCC’s palliative care programs supporting care for children with cancer and other life-limiting illnesses. This includes the sharing of Canuck Place’s Serious Illness Conversation Guide – Pediatrics© with palliative care teams in South and Southeast Asia.
Participants in the Children’s Palliative Care Leadership Program take part in a four-day workshop in Hyderabad, India at the start of the year-long program for emerging healthcare leaders in South and Southeast Asia. The Leadership Program is a Two Worlds Cancer Collaboration initiative in partnership with organizations including Canuck Place Children’s Hospice, Vancouver Canada. (Photo: Dr. Spandana Rayala/Two Worlds Cancer)
