Beyond Treatment
Enhancing care for children when treatment is no longer an option. We aim to make life, however shortened, as pain-free, as comfortable and as manageable as possible.
We invest in the development of innovative approaches to pain and psychological management for children when therapy options are exhausted. Our partnership with Marie Curie Cancer Care, Britain’s leading providers of high quality care to those suffering from terminal cancers, helps us to ensure everything we do in this field has the greatest impact in the fight against cancer.
1. PIONEERING RESEARCH
The population of children and young people with life-limiting and life-threatening conditions is growing. According to the UK Department of Health, the annual number of children requiring access to end of life care services in the UK is estimated to be 23,500, yet end of life care research for children is still a seriously underfunded area. New technology has improved survival rates and enables children with a terminal diagnosis to live longer. The Foundation will fund practical research that will have a direct impact on children with end of life care needs and their families so that no child suffers unnecessarily from severe pain or other negative symptoms at the end of their lives.
2. DELIVERY OF CARE
Nursing and hospice care for 16-25 year old patients: Our partner, Marie Curie Cancer Care is passionate about patient choice at the end of life and the fundamental right to dignity in death. We believe that everyone should have the option to spend the final weeks of their life in a familiar place surrounded by the people they love. Marie Curie nurses provide care and support to patients and families in their own homes. Grants from the Raisa Gorbachev Foundation mean that these nurses can treat and manage symptoms and give medications to relieve pain for more young patients.
3. DEVELOPMENT OF PALLIATIVE CARE IN FORMER SOVIET UNION
Training and sharing good practice: The Foundation is working closely with our UK charity partners to assist in the emergence and development of palliative care teams in Russia and Belarus. We will fund training and provide guidance to doctors, hospital directors and health departments in the establishment of hospices, home hospice teams or palliative care units.
4. BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT
About a quarter of 5-16 year olds in the UK have experienced the death of either a sibling or close family member. The death of a parent or other close family member during childhood is one of the most stressful events that a child can experience. The emotional effects of bereavement such as intense sadness, isolation, anger and guilt can have short and long term negative psychological effects. Marie Curie Cancer Care’s experienced and highly trained bereavement counsellors offer support to children between the ages of 3 to 18 throughout the illness and after the death of their loved one. The Foundation is honoured to fund this essential service.
