Exploring Thailand with Purpose!
Theme/ The Unlocked Cause: Palliative Care (Speak Up – There’s an Elephant in the Room)
Destination: Chiang Mai, Thailand
Journey with a Purpose: Exploring Thailand, Changing Lives
I am embarking on an extraordinary birthday bash adventure to Thailand with a group of travel buddies. This is not your typical getaway – it's an immersive experience that combines celebration with giving back. A segment of the financial support from this memorable journey will be dedicated to supporting the invaluable work of HOSPIS Malaysia.
What is Palliative Care?
According to World Health Organization (WHO), palliative care is an approach that improves the quality of life of patients and their families facing the problems associated with life-threatening illness. Read more here
Palliative care, may be one of the most misunderstood terms in healthcare. Many people believe it means the end of life. But palliative care can bring hope, control, and a chance at a better quality of life for patients with life-limiting illnesses and their families and caregivers.
Speak Up – There’s an Elephant in the Room
Is a campaign to encourage conversations that matter for patients living with life-limiting illnesses such as cancer, organ failure, and HIV. It also creates awareness of how with good palliative care, patient’s quality of life can improve. The campaign aims to empower patients and their families to have conversations that matter. Besides that, it helps to reduce stigma of living with a life-limiting illness. Furthermore, it also aims to encourage the public to advocate for better access to quality of palliative care.
The reluctance or inability to talk about difficult issues can bring out in people a range of emotions often associated with suffering – anger, resentment, fear, sadness, confusion. The central practice of palliative care is to facilitate such conversations. It’s an approach that improves the quality of life of patients and their families through the relief of physical and emotional suffering. And often it starts by helping the patients and their loved ones open up.
A Personal Connection: From Medical School to Compassionate Travel
My commitment to HOSPIS Malaysia goes beyond just travel. Having been part of this remarkable organization during medical school, I've witnessed firsthand the impact of palliative care on patients and families. Now, as I explore the stunning landscapes of Thailand with other like-minded travelers, I am excited to extend my support and make a real difference.
On 20th December 2018, I was fortunate to be part of a palliative care team who visited patients’ houses. It was an eye-opening and heart-touching experience to observe the care and support the nurse provided.
Click the link above to delve into a patient’s case study who I had the privilege to visit that underscores the importance of palliative care and the urgency of addressing the metaphorical "elephant in the room."
Empowering NGOs: Taking a Stand Together
The significance of NGOs in palliative care cannot be overstated, yet the financial hurdles they encounter often remain unnoticed. These organizations, driven by compassion and dedication, organize events and sell merchandise to bridge funding gaps left by government support. My commitment along with the 8 other like-minded travelers to Hospis Malaysia is a step towards alleviating these financial strains and ensuring that their vital work continues to shine a light on countless lives.
Unveiling the Cause: Thailand's Elephant Spirit
As part of ‘Travel to Raise Awareness’, the first country that came to my mind was Thailand as a place to create awareness regarding the campaign ‘Speak Up – There’s an Elephant in the Room’. Since we would be visiting an elephant sanctuary during our trip, I could not think of a better destination to unlock this cause.
Chiang Mai, Thailand, with its revered elephants embodying strength and compassion, provided the perfect backdrop for this campaign, "Speak Up, There's an Elephant in the Room." Just as elephants command attention, my mission echoed the call to address palliative care openly and compassionately, breaking down barriers one conversation at a time.
Beyond Borders, Beyond Limits
With "Travel to Raise Awareness," the boundaries of travel extend far beyond geography. It's a journey that transcends the ordinary, a movement that echoes the heartbeat of compassion.
Together, let's wander with a cause!
