Oncologist, Dr Irene Hitchin, has seen first-hand the power of early referral palliative care, which is why she introduces palliative care to her serious cancer patients at the first consult – along with the curative treatment plan. The effects are powerful. Clinical and radiation oncologist, Dr Irene Hitchin’s advanced cancer patients have a bit of an advantage. Dr Hitchin is a...
As we embark on doing more — better, faster, wider, smarter — and with (and for) more people, we will live our manifesto, inviting others to be a part of what we are guardians to. Gather your pieces. Do the work. Know that the work has its own force and rhythm.Practice not-knowing. But remember that you do know. Widen your perspective.See...
[Press release] The Cancer Association of South Africa has partnered with Alignd to improve access to palliative care for cancer patients. Cancer and its treatment can cause physical side effects and result in negative emotional, social and financial consequences for patients and their family. Palliative care is an important part of cancer care that should be included along with treatments. The goal of...
Zodwa Sithole, Head of Advocacy for CANSA, lost her sister, Elizabeth, to cancer 10 years ago. Because no one had offered Elizabeth palliative care early on, she experienced a lot of pain and uncertainty. This is Zodwa’s story… Before Zodwa Sithole became the Head of Advocacy for the Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA), she was a nurse, with training in...
Heather Duiker* is 78. Her daughter, Geraldine (45) describes her mom as creative, loyal, and straight-forward. Two years ago, Heather was diagnosed with metastatic lung cancer, and Geraldine now adds “tough” to the list describing her mom. “When we heard the diagnosis, there was such disbelief. Then we were just shattered,” says Geraldine. But Heather just wanted to find out what she...
Through honest conversations with a palliative care doctor, discussing preferences for her ongoing care and early referral to palliative care, Nina was given the opportunity to consider what was important to her, and her young family. Nina* was a teacher. Married, with a 3-year-old daughter, she was 35 when she was diagnosed with a rare soft tissue cancer, which had spread...
You can start palliative care at any stage of a serious illness, even as soon as you receive a diagnosis and begin treatment. In fact, says palliative care trained doctor and co-founder of Alignd, Linda Holding, the earlier you access this extra layer of specialised care and support, the better for you and your family. Imagine there was specialised care and...
Because a forward-thinking, patient-centric medical scheme partnered with Alignd, a 74-year-old man with metastatic cancer received the care and support he wanted right from diagnosis until he died peacefully in his own bed. Morally sound design. High quality care. Cost effective. Three phrases every medical scheme wants to hear. And that’s how we’ve developed Alignd.Palliative. Most people want to die at home,...
For many people, accessing effective palliative care will mean the ability to live longer and to experience each moment of their lives more fully as a result of effective pain and symptom management, and holistic assessment of physical, psychological, social, emotional and spiritual needs. But many misunderstand it, or can’t afford it. Palliative care has had a bad rap. It’s often underutilised...
How our first patients let us know we were doing the right thing. When we started Alignd, and building the Alignd palliative care offering, we had years and years of training, research, networking and experience between us. It covered all the fields and skills needed to launch a business like this. And we had planned everything in minute detail. But until we...
