Hospis launches new logo

Dawn, accompanied by her pet dog Odie, posing with a framed photograph of herself before the surgery. The 85-year- old has since gained her confidence and embraced a more positive outlook in life.

HOSPIS Malaysia launched a new symbol to represent the face of palliative care recently together with an inspiring photography exhibition featuring its patients and local celebrities.

“Logos or symbols signify a cause and can be the catalyst for change. Our colleagues in breast cancer rally around the pink ribbon and it is time we too create a symbol for palliative care that transcends age, religious and cultural barriers,” said Hospis Malaysia chairman Datuk Richard.

Robless at the launch in Publika Solaris Dutamas, Kuala Lumpur. The event was also attended by Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam.

Robless added that the symbol would also serve to inspire and unify caregivers in supporting those who were suffering.

“It is our hope that this symbol will help us pioneer a global palliative care movement,” he said.

In addition, the photographs featuring a host of local celebrities and patients, he said served to document the suffering of those with life-limiting illnesses but also the effect of palliative care and a showcase of their resilience.

The symbol depicts two hearts joined together to show all parties; the patient, their family and the healthcare team working in unison. The infinity loop demonstrates that although one may be dying, the relationship between all parties lives on.

“There is not one of us that has not been touched by a loved one that has suffered illness.

“Despite advances in science and medicine, it can do little for those with life-limiting illnesses and this is where palliative care plays a major role,” he said.

The celebrities involved in the exhibition were Datuk Sheila Majid, Elaine Daly, Hans Isaac, Daphne Iking, Sharifah Amani, Bront Palarae, Ho Yuhang, Yeo Yann Yann, Datuk Yasmin Yusuff, Datin Seri Tiara Jacquelina, Fatimah Abu Bakar, Sharifah Aleya, Sharifah Aleysha, Yasmin Hani, fashion designer Melinda Looi and Mercy Malaysia founder Datuk Dr Jemilah Mahmood.

Among the patients featured in the fiveday exhibition was Dawn Usharani Biswas who was accompanied by her daughter Sheela Kanagasabai at the ceremony.

“My mother was a really active woman but she had to slow down after being diagnosed with a rare type of cancer last year,” said Sheela, adding that her 85-yearold mother was a former staff nurse and spends most of her time reading and writing her journal.

Dawn had to undergo a major operation and spends most of her time at home.

“She does not like to go out but I wanted to pull her out of her slumber,” said Sheela, who found out about Hospis Malaysia through their website.

Since then, her mother has been attending weekly meets at their premises in Cheras and has not only met new friends but gained confidence to go out in public again.

“At Hospis, patients can get away from worrying about their illness, and relax through activities such as manicures, singing and getting a new hairdo,” she said. Engineer Chek Jamal Baharom, who was diagnosed with Glioblastoma Multiforme, a form of brain cancer, got to know of Hospis Malaysia through his doctors.

“He kept telling me how enjoyable it was after a few visits,” said Chek Jamal’s wife, Halimah Hanafiah.

Halimah said she gets a ‘day off’ to do grocery shopping after dropping her husband at the centre every Tuesday morning where he receives his palliative care. “It is very nice at Hospis, the activities are fun and the food is good too,” said Chek Jamal, adding that Dawn was one of the many new friends he has made at the centre.

After the launch, guests were invited to write on the ‘Before I Die’ wall near the exhibition area.

Hospis Malaysia also hosted a public lecture later in the evening by Baroness Prof Illora Finlay, a palliative medicine specialist at Cardiff University, who spoke on ‘Euthanasia - A Misunderstood Term & Controversies’.