Pediatric Palliative Care

In Spain, approximately 25,000 families have received the news that “your daughter, your son, cannot be cured”, and should have access to pediatric palliative care. However, it is estimated that only 15% of these families actually receive this care.

What Is Pediatric Palliative Care?

Pediatric palliative care is specialized support for children living with chronic or life-limiting illnesses. More than just medical care, it’s a comprehensive approach that cares for the child’s body, mind, and spirit — while offering essential support to their families.

The goal is to relieve pain, manage symptoms, and ease the emotional and physical burden of illness. It’s about ensuring respect for each child’s dignity and individuality, providing continuous, personalized care that improves quality of life and helps families stay strong and connected.
This includes psychological, social, and spiritual support, resources for siblings, and much-needed respitespaces for primary caregivers.

Learn more about pediatric palliative care and its impact through PEDPAL.

“You matter for who you are, and you matter to the last moment of your life.
We will do all we can not only to help you die peacefully, but also to live until you die.”

Cicely Saunders

“You matter for who you are, and you matter to the last moment of your life.
We will do all we can not only to help you die peacefully, but also to live until you die.”

Cicely Saunders

60.000

families in Spain need pediatric palliative care.

15%

receive comprehensive, appropriate support

3

fully equipped teams provide 24/7 care and home-based hospitalization

60.000

families in Spain need pediatric palliative care.

15%

receive comprehensive, appropriate support

3

fully equipped teams provide 24/7 care and home-based hospitalization

Key Points

Medical Advances & Emerging Challenges

As child mortality decreases, more children and adolescents are living with incurable conditions — creating new needs. These complex realities require specialized care that ensures well-being for both patients and their families, during illness and beyond.

Well-being and Dignity

Pediatric palliative care is centered on ensuring comfort, dignity, and quality of life for children facing life-limiting illnesses. It does not aim to extend or shorten life, but to relieve suffering and walk alongside families with empathy and respect.

From diagnosis

Pediatric palliative care begins with the diagnosis of an incurable disease, without the need for a short-term prognosis of life to receive it.

Comprehensive care

They meet the physical, emotional, social and spiritual needs of children and their families. An interdisciplinary team guarantees continuous assistance, prioritizing home care whenever possible.

Bereavement Support

Care doesn’t end with the child’s passing. Families receive compassionate support throughout the grieving process.

Medical Advances & Emerging Challenges

As child mortality decreases, more children and adolescents are living with incurable conditions — creating new needs. These complex realities require specialized care that ensures well-being for both patients and their families, during illness and beyond.

Well-being and Dignity

Pediatric palliative care is centered on ensuring comfort, dignity, and quality of life for children facing life-limiting illnesses. It does not aim to extend or shorten life, but to relieve suffering and walk alongside families with empathy and respect.

From diagnosis

Pediatric palliative care begins with the diagnosis of an incurable disease, without the need for a short-term prognosis of life to receive it.

Comprehensive care

They meet the physical, emotional, social and spiritual needs of children and their families. An interdisciplinary team guarantees continuous assistance, prioritizing home care whenever possible.

Bereavement Support

During the evolution of the disease, many families begin to go through the grieving process. We provide professional accompaniment from the early stages, with support adapted to each situation and specific resources according to the needs of each family.

Madrid 2020 Manifesto

The Madrid Manifesto 2020promotesthat Pediatric Palliative Care is a fundamental right — essential to ensuring the dignity, comfort, and quality of life of children with serious illnesses

Madrid Video Manifesto, Pediatric Palliative Care

Challenges and Opportunities in Pediatric Palliative Care

In the coming years, we face critical challenges — and meaningful opportunities — to advance pediatric palliative care:

Social Awareness

We must foster open, compassionate conversations about serious illness and end-of-life in children, breaking the silence and stigma surrounding death.

Policy Development

It’s urgent to promote legislation that ensures equitable access to pediatric palliative care across the entire country.

Specialized Training

Expanding education and training for healthcare professionals is key to providing high-quality, child-centered care tailored to the unique needs of each family.

Home-Based Care Expansion

Families should receive support in the comfort of their own homes, without relying solely on hospital services.

Equity in Access

Geographic location should never determine the care a child receives. Equal distribution of resources is vital to ensure that all families, regardless of where they live, have access to palliative care.

Pediatric Palliative Care Is a Fundamental Right

Every child and family have the right to receive compassionate, specialized care. Pediatric palliative care must be a guaranteed part of every national healthcare system — not a privilege based on location or available resources.
The World Health Organization (WHO) recognizes palliative care as an essential part of universal health coverage. Its full implementation must be a public health priority

Help Us Change Lives

At porqueViven, we work to improve the lives of children who cannot be cured — and of the families who love them.

But we can’t do it alone. Your help makes the difference: donate, spread the word, or get involved. Together, we can bring the care, dignity, and hope every child deserves.

Let’s fill their lives with life.

I Want to Help

At porqueViven, we work to improve the lives of children who cannot be cured — and of the families who love them.

But we can’t do it alone. Your help makes the difference: donate, spread the word, or get involved. Together, we can bring the care, dignity, and hope every child deserves.

Let’s fill their lives with life.

I Want to Help