10:00am | Palliative care is not simply a nominal extension of some form of medical treatment — it’s purpose is far more important than that. Palliative care, also called supportive care, is a focus within the medical community on providing not only physical and emotional support, but simple comfort for children suffering from chronic or serious illnesses. What separates great palliative care programs from hospice care is that the care begins from diagnosis and is therefore incorporated into the care plan entirely — whether the child is at home or in the hospital, throughout cure or bereavement.
In short terms, it supersedes simple medical treatment and incorporates psychological, spiritual, and comfort-based needs of both the patient and his/her family. Miller Children’s Hospital of Long Beach exemplifies such a phenomenal palliative care program.
For the second year in a row, people of the Long Beach community will come together for the Palliative Care Program Pursuit Walk. The walk is being held to raise awareness of palliative care, as well as to raise funds to expand the supportive/palliative care program at Miller Children’s.
The Walk was founded by Rachel Llanos, who is one of more than 100 parents whose family has benefited from the supportive/palliative care program. Her daughter, Kellie, had a rare chromosomal abnormality called Trisomy 13 that led to heart problems and the need for constant care at Miller Children’s throughout her life. Although Kellie has passed away, the Llanos family was deeply touched by the supportive/palliative care program, which provided comfort to Kellie and her entire family. When it was time, Kellie was able to pass away peacefully at home surrounded by family. Rachel’s goal is to raise funds to support the supportive/palliative care program so they can continue to provide future patients and families with the same compassionate care.
“I was so touched by palliative care I wondered why more people in the community didn’t know about it,” says Llanos. “I want to be able to help other families have access to a program that ensures a child’s comfort and needs are met.”
In order to drum up the best support, Llanos and her supporters are getting the word out early regarding the 2012 walk. The Palliative Care Pursuit Walk will be held on Saturday, March 10, starting at 10:00am at El Dorado Park East. Registration is $20 and goes to benefit the palliative care program through online fundraising. Visit www.millerchildrens.org/pursuit to register online or support a walker.