National Children’s Hospice Palliative Care Day 

National Children’s Hospice Palliative Care Day raises awareness about the importance of children’s hospice palliative care and how it improves the quality of living and dying for children with serious illnesses and their families. The campaign takes place every year on the second Thursday of October. 

October 9, 2025

Help Shape the Future of Pediatric Palliative Care

This year, we are collaborating with Canada’s Pediatric Palliative Care Alliance (CPPCA) and the Canadian Network of Palliative Care for Children (CNPCC) to unite healthcare professionals, leaders, families, and equity-deserving groups to create a shared vision for pediatric palliative care — to ensure all children with life-limiting illnesses receive comprehensive, high-quality care consistently across Canada.

#HPCForChildren

Next National Children’s Hospice Palliative Care Day | October 8, 2026

2025 Campaign: How to Get Involved

The campaign kit contains campaign materials, including customizable designs on Canva. Use these resources to help raise awareness, foster connection, and shape a more inclusive and equitable future for care in Canada.

We invite you to help shape the future of Pediatric Palliative Care in Canada. Together, we can create a future where every Canadian family and every child with a life-limiting illness can access high-quality pediatric palliative care in a location of their choice.

What is Pediatric Palliative Care?

Children’s palliative care provides complete care for a child’s physical, emotional, and spiritual needs while supporting the entire family.

Key principles:

  • Starts early — Care begins at diagnosis and continues throughout the child’s journey, whether or not they receive curative treatment
  • Addresses all needs — Healthcare providers must identify and treat physical pain, emotional distress, and social challenges
  • Involves everyone — Effective care requires a team approach that includes family members and community resources
  • Works anywhere — Care can be delivered in hospitals, community health centres, or at home, even with limited resources

World Health Organization

A woman kneeling beside a young girl in a wheel chair.

#ShareYourJourney

We invite families, healthcare providers, and caregivers to share their stories. Your voice helps raise awareness, foster connection, and shape a more inclusive and equitable future for care in Canada.

Children’s Hospice Palliative Care Resource Repository  

Resources focused on pediatric palliative care including anticipatory grief, supporting siblings of children with life threatening illnesses, and more.

Canadian Network of Palliative Care for Children

The CNPCC purpose is to improve the quality of living and dying for infants, children and youth with life threatening conditions and their families. 

Campaign Partners

National Children’s Hospice Palliative Care Day is hosted in partnership with the Canada’s Pediatric Palliative Care Alliance and the Canadian Network of Palliative Care for Children.

The Canadian Network of Palliative Care for Children logo.

National Children’s Hospice Palliative Care Day is sponsored by GSK Canada.

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Contact

Do you have questions about this campaign, or about hospice palliative care in Canada?  

CHPCA News

  • Press Release

    Dr. Balfour Mount 1939-2025

    The Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association (CHPCA) joins the world in mourning the loss of a true pioneer and the "father of palliative care," Dr. Balfour Mount (1939-2025).

  • Press Release

    CHPCA Congratulates Prime Minister Mark Carney on Election Victory

    Dear Prime Minister Carney, on behalf of the Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association (CHPCA), please accept our sincere congratulations on your election victory and your continued leadership as Prime Minister of Canada.

  • Press Release

    CHPCA Open Letter to Canada’s Federal Political Parties

    The Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association (CHPCA) urges all political parties to commit to making access to high-quality, equitable palliative care a national priority.