18–24 May is Dying Matters Awareness Week – an annual event organised by Dying Matters and other UK charities to help remove the stigma surrounding death, and to promote the importance of end-of-life care.
This year, the event’s being organised around the theme of ‘Talk, Plan, Live’. Participants are encouraged to discuss their wishes for end-of-life provision with their loved ones, to plan their future arrangements in case of death, and to consider signing up as an organ donor to help someone else in desperate need.
Anthony Nolan in support of Dying Matters
At Anthony Nolan, we’re incredibly proud to give patients support and advice for as long as they need it after the stem cell transplant – and that includes patients for whom the transplant is unsuccessful, and who need help with palliative care or end-of-life provision.
Everyone deserves to face their end of their life with comfort and dignity And all of us, whatever our situation or our health, should feel free to talk about what we want from our end-of-life care – which is exactly why this initiative matters so much.
Chiara De Biase, Anthony Nolan’s Head of Patient Experience, said,
‘I’m supporting Dying Matters Awareness Week because sadly, not every transplant works. Complications and relapses do occur.
‘We need to talk about these things openly and honestly, so that everyone feels comfortable enough to discuss their end-of-life care wishes with their loved ones and transplant team. Talk, Plan, Live. #YODO.’
Visit the Dying Matters website to learn more about the initiative, view resources and planning about end-of-life care, and sign up as a member.
Find Me Help, a new scheme set up in 2015 with funding from Macmillan Cancer Support, gives you access to services and support in your local area.
If you’d like to join the conversation on Twitter, or see what other people are saying, post or search using the hashtag #YODO.