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 for National Children’s Hospice Palliative Care Day 2025 is no longer available.

Thank you to everyone who downloaded the kit.

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

    Abstract Submission is Now Open for the 2026-27 CHPCA Learning Institute

    The Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association (CHPCA) is excited to announce that abstract submissions are now open for the 2026-2027 Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association (CHPCA) Learning Institute.

  • Press Release

    2026 National Hospice Palliative Care Week Campaign Kit Now Available

    Organizations across Canada are invited to take part in National Hospice Palliative Care Week, May 3-9, 2026, as the official Campaign Kit is now available.

  • Press Release

    2026 Advance Care Planning Day Campaign Kit Now Available

    Organizations across Canada are invited to take part in Advance Care Planning (ACP) Day on April 16, 2026, as the official ACP Day Campaign Kit is now available.