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World Hospice and Palliative Care Day

Celebrate World Hospice and Palliative Care Day by showing your support for those facing serious illnesses - donate, volunteer, or simply spread awareness!

Saturday

October 2026

Last updated February 7, 2026 · by the Holiday Calendar Team

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YEARLY DATESecond Saturday in October

OBSERVED INInternationally

CATEGORYAwareness

SUBCATEGORYHealth Conditions

INTRO

Introduction

PHOTO

World Hospice and Palliative Care Day is a special day dedicated to honoring people who provide compassionate care for those facing life-limiting illnesses, as well as their families. This annual event was first celebrated in the year 2000 by The Worldwide Hospice Palliative Care Alliance (WHPCA). It's an opportunity to recognize and appreciate the valuable work that hospice and palliative care professionals do around the world.

TIMELINE

World Hospice and Palliative Care Day Timeline

First Modern Hospice

The first modern hospice, St Christopher's Hospice, is opened in London by Dame Cicely Saunders, establishing the principles of palliative care.

Medicare Hospice Benefit

In the U.S., the Medicare Hospice Benefit was enacted, marking the first large-scale governmental support for hospice care.

World Health Assembly Resolution

World Health Assembly adopted a resolution emphasising the importance of palliative care, urging its inclusion in health policies and curricula.

First Palliative Care Acceptance

World Health Organization defines palliative care and acknowledges it as a part of essential health services.

First World Hospice Day

The Worldwide Hospice Palliative Care Alliance (WHPCA) hosts the first World Hospice and Palliative Care Day, promoting and supporting hospice and palliative care worldwide.

Global Atlas of Palliative Care

The World Health Organization and WHPCA published the first Global Atlas of Palliative Care at the End of Life, providing comprehensive information and data on the need for and availability of palliative care worldwide.

GET INVOLVED

How to Celebrate World Hospice and Palliative Care Day

Organize a Fundraiser

A great way to show your support for World Hospice and Palliative Care Day is to organize a fundraiser. Choose an activity that you can do with friends or family, like a bake sale, car wash, or 5K run/walk.

VOLUNTEER

Volunteer

Reach out to your local hospice and palliative care organizations to see what volunteer opportunities they have available. You may be able to help out with administrative tasks, patient visits, or event planning.

Share Your Story

Share your story about how hospice and palliative care has made a difference in your life or the life of someone you love on social media. This will help raise awareness about the importance of these services.

DONATE

Donate

Make a monetary donation to a hospice or palliative care organization of your choice on World Hospice and Palliative Care Day. Every little bit helps when it comes to providing these crucial services.

EDUCATE

Educate Yourself

Take the time to learn more about hospice and palliative care by reading articles, watching webinars, and attending seminars. The more you know about these topics, the better equipped you’ll be to make informed decisions.

WHY THIS DAY MATTERS

Why World Hospice and Palliative Care Day is Important

It brings attention to important issues

World Hospice and Palliative Care Day also provides an opportunity for policymakers to bring attention to key topics such as access to affordable care, pain management, symptom control, end of life planning, and bereavement support. It's essential that these conversations are had in order to bring public attention to these vital issues so that effective solutions can be implemented globally.

It raises awareness of hospice & palliative care

World Hospice and Palliative Care Day is a global initiative to raise awareness of the importance of hospice and palliative care services and their impact on the quality of life and overall wellbeing of people who are suffering from serious and life-limiting illnesses. By raising awareness, the hope is that governments, healthcare providers, and individuals can come together in an effort to provide these services and make them more widely available.

It honors those affected by serious illness

World Hospice and Palliative Care Day is also dedicated to honoring those affected by serious illnesses, both patients and caregivers alike. It's a day to show appreciation for the incredible work done by caregivers in providing comfort, support, and dignity to their patients during difficult times.

Related holidays

National Home Care and Hospice Month

It's time to recognize the compassionate caregivers and support those receiving care. Let's honor National Home Care and Hospice Month together.

National Death Doula Day

On National Death Doula Day, we honor those who provide compassionate end-of-life care and support. Let's recognize their important role in our lives.

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WED

Feb 2026