June 2018 sees the launch of our annual Purple Party campaign! More details will be shared very soon, but this is where we encourage our friends and supporters to host a ‘Purple Party’ in order to raise awareness and raise more friends in global palliative care. However for those of you with culinary brain freeze, it might be daunting to think what to serve at a purple party, so here we’ve prepared some suggestions to get you thinking! Of course, other recipes are available… And most importantly we don’t want anyone feeling put off by the cooking, the most important thing is getting people together regardless of the colour of the food!

Make it fancy…

For anyone feeling adventurous, why not try a purple layer cake, or a purple forest cake… Or how about attempt a purple twist on the classic red velvet cake?

https://www.tablespoon.com/recipes/purple-rific-layer-cake/5d140447-a74f-4b60-974a-df8805893308

https://www.bbc.com/food/recipes/purple_forest_cake_90366

https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/purple-velvet-cupcakes-blackberry-frosting

Make it healthy…

As a healthcare charity, it would be remiss of us not to advise healthy eating! Fortunately there are numerous delicious fruits which fit the purple bill… so how about putting together a fruit bowel of grapes, plums, blackberries and blueberries?

Make it natural…

Vegetables in baking are perhaps more common than you think! The classic carrot cake has been joined by parsnip cake and most relevant for our purple parties, beetroot! Not only will you have a guaranteed moist and succulent delicacy, but also a great natural purple colouring! Alongside blueberries and blackberries, below are a few ideas for naturally purple confectionary!

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/foodanddrink/recipes/9555948/Chocolate-and-beetroot-cake-recipe.html

http://www.foodtolove.com.au/recipes/flourless-chocolate-beetroot-cake-25968

http://www.womanandhome.com/recipes/beetroot-cake-with-orange-frosting-recipe/

http://www.womanandhome.com/recipes/beetroot-cake-with-orange-frosting-recipe/

https://therecipecritic.com/blueberry-lemon-pound-cake/

https://www.howsweeteats.com/2015/05/blueberry-breakfast-cookies/

Make it simple…

Of course, you might feel more comfortable sticking with your own tried and trusted recipe… so you could always just add a splash of purple colouring to your mixture or icing for a quick and easy result. Or even simpler, if you aren’t even a baker then you could just put out some purple chocolates (there are many out there) or shop bought goodies…

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Wilton-Icing-Paste-Food-Color/dp/B006PDQB04/ref=sr_1_2?s=kitchen&ie=UTF8&qid=1526467991&sr=1-2&keywords=purple+food+colouring

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Cadbury-Milk-Tray-Choc-360g/dp/B01787PGGU/ref=sr_1_2_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1526470182&sr=8-2&keywords=cadburys+milk+tray  

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Purple-Foil-Covered-Chocolate-Hearts/dp/B00512OGN4/ref=sr_1_8_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1526468284&sr=8-8&keywords=purple+sweets

Make it inedible!

Finally you don’t have to eat purple to make your party purple. Beyond asking your guests to come dressed in purple, you could just accessorise your event with purple cupcake cases, purple napkins or even just a vase of purple flowers!

https://www.amazon.co.uk/PME-Lavender-Baking-Cupcakes-Standard/dp/B00C3ZA6IQ/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1526467730&sr=8-7&keywords=purple+baking

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Pack-Purple-Paper-Napkins-2Ply/dp/B0054NYA2W/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1526470254&sr=8-4&keywords=purple+napkins

One of the names given to the tiny baby born in a stable in Bethlehem over 2000 years ago is Prince of Peace. This message was emblazoned accross the skies as angelic beings sang the good new of hope and peace for the world to a terrified but excited group of shepherds...one of the most socially invisible groups in society. Who would believe a shepherd was chosen by God for a worldwide message of peace...and who would be similarly excluded in our societies!

In palliative care we have the honour and responsibility to support values based health care that respects the dignity of each person and family and seeks to relieve suffering and support quality of life. I think of palliative care as bringing this message of hope and peace to people and families who are struggling, fearful, hopeless and in pain...and to seek to ensure this care is available regardless of the poverty, geography, lifestyle, setting or illness...truly palliative care for all as part of health care for all.

Earlier this year I was sitting in Bethlehem a short distance from Manger Square, Star Street and the beautiful Church of the Nativity where so many pigrims and tourists flock. Instead I was gazing at the dividing wall cuting accross this land like a terrible scar and representing such fear, anger, injustice, hopelessness and lost opportunities. I was reflecting on the lack of peace in the Midde East  and the sadness for those divided and hurting in so many ways.  This wall continues to grow and yet some adorn it with grim humour and statements for unity and peace. I meet so many people working to survive, to make a difference, to seek justice and peace.

I was privileged to be in Gaza twice this year. Firstly with Medical Aid for Palestine on a scoping visit for breast cancer support along with several Scottish colleagues inlcuding Dr Phillipa Whitford UKMP. (see https://www.map.org.uk/news/archive/post/747-mapas-breast-cancer-care-in-gaza-aliaas-story) We hope this will become a formal multidsciplinary prgramme incorporating palliative care.  I was also able to work with amazing colleagues from IUG (Dr Fadel Naim and Dr Khamis Elessi) and the UK (Dr Janet Gillett and Dr Kathey Myers) to deliver the second undergraduate training in palliative care and celebrated the work of Cairdeas through #cairdeaspurpleparty on World Hospice and Palliative Care Day. I was also able to joinng the steering group discussions led by IUG, MOH, WHO, UNRWA, PMRS and others and discuss ways to support in the future. Next up is a new Diploma in palliative care which is almost finished the development stage and we look forward to supporting in partnership.

However the situation in Gaza is a humanitarian disaster deteriorating each day. Electricity may be available only a few hours a day and this affects basic services such as sewage management and of course affects hospitals. Essential medications are often low or stocked out..60% of cancer medications and NO ORAL MORPHINE at all. Travel permission may be given for travel outside Gaza for essential treatments such as radiotherapy in East Jerusalem or the West Bank but in pratice more than half who would benefit are denied. In Gaza people are simply trying to survive and praying for peace or at least for basic freedoms to travel and receive health care. In Bethlehem, the city is beng dwarffed by the settlements (illegal in international law) and choked by the snaking wall. 

Let me tell you a couple of stories. Abdul (name changed) was talking with the medical students about his experience of living with advanced sarcoma and clearly in significant pain when suddenly the door burst open and he was given his permission papers for travel to East Jeruslem and Ramallah. In the happy, frustrated, noisy chaos he desparately asked...'do I need pain control and radiotherapy or surgery more?' As he got ready television cameras arrived and in between filimng (which included me) we gave him some advice re pain medication and tried to ensure he would see someone who could help. In fact his cancer is now very advanced but at least he will get good palliative care interventions. His words 'I feel I have been given back some dignity'

Another young woman has delayed coming with her breast cancer as she was so scared of having a mastectomy. She has not long delivered her youngest child but knew the risks as several members of her family have died of breast cancer including her mother (in her forties). After some counselling and support for her and her husband from the Gaza and MAP teams she agreed for further treatment for her now advancing disease and we are hoping and praying she will be allowed to travel for radiotherapy after her surgery. The surgeon learnt from the encounter as his initial reaction had been 'This is one young woman who does not want surgery and I dont feel comfortable discussing it' yet he was able to see good communication and take part in the discussion and treatment decisions.

An older lady has just found our her breast cancer diagnosis and was looking sad, sitting quietly with her sister. The clinics are busy with no nurse specialists and most trainied to offer physical support and not psychosoial or spiritual.  We spoke together, supported by translation, and she talked of her sadness at never having children, her husband who has already died, her frail mother with diabetes needing amputaton and now this cancer diagnosis. 'I feel so sad but I am trusting in God, Hamdulilah'

There is a new report on palliative care, the Lancer Commission (see Resources section), that shows once again the overwhelming need for palliative care and coins a new term, serious health related suffering. New ways looking at this age old issue of suffering and pain are needed but most of all we need to mobilise individuals, communities, civil society, faith communities, social entrepreneurs and governments to address this huge need. In Cairdeas we are privileged to work to build capacity, raise awareness and develop training to do our part in ensuring that one of the most excluded groups in our society has the care they need and deserve in 2018 and beyond. This includes refugee and migrants groups such as those affected by chronic conflict in Gaza and the huge refugee camps for South Sudanese in Northern Uganda.  We are glad to be part of a network seeking to find solutions PALCHASE.  

My thanks to all we have partnered with in 2017 and to the privilege of visiting and working in Uganda, Rwanda, India, Nepal, Gaza, West Bank and to our friends in Mauritania with Cairdeas Sahara. Thanks to the amazing team in Makerere and Mulago Palliative Care Unit and Palliative care Education and Research Consortium where I am based much of the year. Thanks to IAHPC for their amazing work and the honour of being a board member. Many thanks to all our supporters and those who volunteer their time and expertise.  Please remember our Christmas Appeal which will allow our partners to become sustainable, to care for refugees and to be trained. Follow us on Twitter @CairdeasIPCT and on FB or sign up to get more involved.

Visiting the places so familiar in the Christmas story was a privilege ...and also to visit and think beyond the nativity scene to the life and example of Jesus as he lived and died and brings to fulfillment this message of hope and peace to all men. May all wall’s come down...the ones within ourselves componded by grief and loss and pain...dividing walls functional and physical all over the world between races, religion, societies, resources and nationalities...may Jerusalem be a city of faith and peace radiating to the end of the earth....may 2018 allow us all the privilege to know how to be peacemakers.

September saw the amalgamation of various Cairdeas events in south-east Scotland to create a jam-packed weekend of exciting activities, discussions and updates: Cairdeas Ops Director Dan Knights shares some highlights...

The weekend kicked off on Saturday 16^th September with a special meeting of our trustee board. Due to the team being spread across the UK, it was a welcome opportunity to connect face to face, but also a chance to turn our minds to the broader strategy of Cairdeas. Building on the excellent work that was put into our previous strategic plan, we are now in the process of updating this and laying out our vision for the few years to come – watch this space for more updates!

That very afternoon, we gathered some of our faithful supporters at our annual Gathering in Kirkintilloch Baptist Church. It was a real pleasure to link up with old friends and new friends, and to hear from Mhoira and recently returned volunteer Alice about the ongoing exciting work in Uganda and elsewhere, and also a chance to kick off this year’s purple party season with a fantastic array of purple edible goodies, with purple outfits to match!

Two days later saw the inaugural meeting of the Cairdeas Faculty – an initiative where we are looking to formalise and develop the way we work with those numerous experts in global palliative care who have provided mentorship, training and other support through Cairdeas in the past, or are interested to do so in the future. The experience in the room was immense and we had some very rich discussions about the challenges, priorities and opportunities for this group going forward. We are hoping to offer opportunities to use people’s talents both through short term international trips, but also through the development of resources from the UK which will support our work internationally. Again, watch this space for more details and do get in touch with me on operations@cairdeas.org.uk if you would be interested in getting involved with this group.

These meetings were all planned to also coincide with the Edinburgh Global Palliative Care Day, which is coordinated jointly between Cairdeas, the University of Edinburgh, and other partners, and has become an annual diary fixture and great chance to build relationships and network with others sharing a passion for developing palliative care globally. This year the focus was on universal health coverage and leadership, with stimulating talks ranging from Dr Jane Bates’ insights into her PhD work looking at palliative care as a means to alleviating poverty, to our own Mhoira Leng sharing on the relevance of palliative care in humanitarian crises, to a new way of sparking discussion on actions and ways forward in the form of an ideas café! Our friend and colleague Julia Downing has reported on this event in an eHospice blog, so do check it out for more details!

From a personal perspective, this first run of Cairdeas’ key meetings with me in the Ops Director role was a great chance to meet with colleagues face to face. Primarily working from home and only communicating with people via the internet can be pretty isolating, so the buzz of bringing so much enthusiasm together into one place was palpable for me! It’s particularly exciting to see Cairdeas taking an active role in contributing to the coordination of bigger events such as the Edinburgh Global Day, and to see our much-discussed plans for the Cairdeas Faculty beginning to come to fruition!

It was also great to see people decked out in their purple party-wear and raising awareness of what Cairdeas means to them - and various of you have followed in their footsteps with your own #cairdeaspurpleparty! If you didn't get a chance to run one this year, keep your eyes peeled for next year's campaign!