Volatility is back, and the clock is ticking. Macro jitters, policy headlines, and exchange risk are squeezing weak hands. Many traders are quietly rotating toward a payments token that has been climbing the watchlists of serious money. They see speed, real utility, and early exchange traction. Miss it now, and you could be chasing green candles later. Meanwhile, the PI network story is splitting the room. Some still call it the best crypto to buy now. Others warn the setup looks fragile as 2026 approaches. If the PI network fails to convert massive signups into real throughput, the exit door will feel very small. As of today, PI trades near $0.27 on the PI/USDT pair. The last 24 hours show a slight dip, and the tone is cautious. A growing group of new analysts argues that PI network fundamentals are softening just as competition intensifies. Those projecting a breakdown point to four pressure valves: The takeaway is stark. The early magnetism of the PI network brought users, but it did not guarantee usage. If tokenomics and KYC scale poorly, downside can accelerate while liquidity thins. In this lens, the PI network looks less like an undervalued crypto project and more like a mispriced risk.
The cryptocurrency market has evolved in recent years, with investors seeking both price appreciation and stable sources of passive income. With market analysts predicting XRP could reach $3.15 in the next wave of price action, holders are shifting their focus from simply speculating on price to ensuring their assets generate sustainable cash flow. XRP has long played a vital role in global payments and cross-border settlements. Market expectations are rising as more financial institutions and regulatory frameworks recognize its applications. l Increasing institutional adoption: Ripple has partnered with numerous banks and payment companies to promote XRP’s real-world use cases. l Clear regulatory environment: Regulatory progress in the United States and Europe makes XRP more attractive as a compliant investment. l Rising market sentiment: Investors view XRP as a core asset for the future payment system, pushing up price targets. As a result, many analysts believe that XRP reaching $3.15 in the next upswing is not far-fetched. However, relying solely on token price increases carries the risk of volatility. Mint Miner offers a novel solution: combining XRP holdings with Bitcoin cloud mining profits to create a dual-income model. Mint Miner’s cloud mining platform eliminates the need to purchase expensive mining machines or incur maintenance costs. By purchasing computing power contracts, users can enjoy daily automatic settlement benefits. ✅ Zero threshold: Just register an account to get a $15 reward. ✅ AI Optimization: Intelligent algorithms allocate hashrate to the most profitable mining pools. ✅ Clean Energy: All mining farms primarily utilize solar and wind power, which is environmentally friendly, efficient, and highly profitable. ✅ Daily Settlement: Profits are deposited directly into your account, with flexible withdrawals. Mint Miner’s contract-based income model allows users of high-end mining machine hashrate contracts to earn up to $9,700 in Bitcoin mining income daily. The following are the recently launched contracts 3.All profits during the contract period are returned daily, and the principal is fully returned at maturity. Once your account balance reaches $100, you can withdraw or reinvest at any time. XRP investors often face the uncertainty of price fluctuations. Through Mint Miner cloud mining, they can: ✅ Lock in a stable cash flow: Even if the XRP price remains flat or declines, mining profits are settled daily. ✅ Double asset appreciation: XRP’s potential rise to $3.15 combined with daily mining rewards of $9,700 creates compound returns. ✅ Long-term risk resistance: Diversified income sources reduce the risk associated with a single asset during market fluctuations. Mint Miner is a leading global Bitcoin mining and integrated mining service provider, offering one-stop solutions, including cloud mining. It will continue to serve as a strategic partner of Bitmain in Bitcoin mining and mining services. Mint Miner is committed to building a secure, compliant, and transparent blockchain infrastructure, providing a variety of stable and intelligent digital asset mining solutions to customers worldwide. Leveraging its expanding global network of mining farms and its strategic partnership with Bitmain, Mint Miner empowers institutional clients and digital asset enthusiasts to efficiently mine digital assets. For investors hoping to capitalize on XRP’s potential rise to $3.15, relying solely on price speculation may not be enough. With Mint Miner cloud mining, they can not only hold XRP and enjoy price appreciation, but also earn up to $9,700 in passive income daily, maintaining steady wealth growth amidst the volatile crypto market. The future is here: XRP combined with cloud mining makes passive income a reality. Disclaimer: This media platform provides the content of this article on an “as-is” basis, without any warranties or representations of any kind, express or implied. We assume no responsibility for any inaccuracies, errors, or omissions. We do not assume any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information presented herein. Any concerns, complaints, or copyright issues related to this article should be directed to the content provider mentioned above. This is a Press Release provided by a third party who is responsible for the content. Please conduct your own research before taking any action based on the content. Back in late 2022, few people believed BONK—the Solana meme coin—could change lives. Yet one…
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Tonight is the second of this week's EuroMillions draws, and one lucky winner could scoop the huge jackpot of £25m. Receiving that much tax-free cash would be life-changing. If you won, the world would be your oyster. You could leave your job, pay off your debts, and travel to pretty much anywhere you wanted. You could also give generously to friends, family and some deserving causes close to your heart. The EuroMillions jackpot will be claimed by players who pick five correct numbers from one to 50 as well as two Lucky Star numbers from one to 12. The Thunderball game also takes place tonight. The winner will claim £500,000 if they match five numbers from one to 39 as well as the all-important Thunderball number from one to 14. The EuroMillions draw takes place every Tuesday and Friday, a ticket costs £2.50 and includes automatic entry into the UK Millionaire Maker draw, which creates new UK millionaires every week, guaranteed. The Thunderball draw will take place at around 8pm and the EuroMillions slightly later at 8:45pm. The ECHO will keep this page updated with the winning numbers when they are announced. Good luck! The National Lottery is a moment that can change the winner’s life forever. Whether it’s a modest windfall or a multimillion-pound jackpot, Allwyn – the operator of The National Lottery – said they ensure every winner is guided through a "secure, supportive, and confidential process" so that they can start to enjoy their good fortune as quickly as possible. From the moment a winning ticket is confirmed, Allwyn said a dedicated team of winners’ advisors steps in to provide access to a whole range of emotional and practical services. This ranges from expert guidance to emotional support and access to professional financial advice. Andy Carter, senior winners’ advisor at Allwyn, said: "Everyone dreams of that huge win when they buy their National Lottery ticket – and for those lucky enough to experience it, we’re here to make sure it’s a positive and secure journey. From financial advice to emotional support, our role is to help winners take control of their new future with confidence." Read more here about what happens when you win the National Lottery. Get all the big headlines, pictures, analysis, opinion and video on the stories that matter to you by signing up to our daily and breaking newsletter. Sign up to our breaking news newsletter here. Follow us on Twitter @LivECHONews – the official Liverpool ECHO Twitter account – real news in real time. We're also on Facebook/theliverpoolecho – your must-see news, features, videos and pictures throughout the day from the Liverpool ECHO. At Reach and across our entities we and our partners use information collected through cookies and other identifiers from your device to improve experience on our site, analyse how it is used and to show personalised advertising. You can opt out of the saleor sharing of your data, at any time clicking the "Do Not Sell or Share my Data" button at the bottom of the webpage. Please note that your preferences are browser specific. Use of our website and any of our services represents your acceptance of the use of cookies and consent to the practices described in our Privacy Notice and Privacy Notice.
The latest XRP Price models and Litecoin Price Prediction charts are stirring debate as traders try to map out the coming cycle top. Analysts see room for both tokens to move higher but many argue that the real breakout potential is in newer projects still early in their life cycle. One presale in particular, Layer Brett (LBRETT), is gaining attention as it combines meme-driven appeal with Ethereum Layer 2 technology, setting the stage for massive upside. XRP has built its reputation on powering fast and low-cost cross-border payments. Ripple’s partnerships with banks and remittance providers have kept the token tied to a clear use case rather than just speculation. Currently trading under $3, analysts now see the possibility of XRP climbing to $8–$12 at the peak of the next bull cycle. That target would put XRP among the strongest performers in the large-cap category, though its sheer size makes another 100x rally unlikely. Still, the fact that XRP continues to grow in relevance within the payments sector keeps it on the radar for long-term holders seeking stability alongside growth. Litecoin has built a reputation as “digital silver,” offering fast and low-cost transactions that make it a useful alternative to Bitcoin. At around $118, it trades well below its previous all-time highs but it continues to see adoption for payments and peer-to-peer transfers. Analysts suggest LTC could climb toward $250–$300 in the next cycle if broader crypto sentiment turns bullish. That would represent meaningful growth for long-term holders. Still, compared to emerging tokens, Litecoin’s upside is limited. It remains a trusted and familiar asset but unlikely to deliver life-changing multiples. While XRP and Litecoin provide steady growth potential, traders looking for the best multiples are focusing on presales like Layer Brett (LBRETT). Built on Ethereum Layer 2, Layer Brett blends meme culture with scaling technology, delivering low-cost, fast transactions backed by Ethereum security. This mix of cultural hype and technical credibility has analysts comparing it to both Dogecoin’s early buzz and Solana’s growth story. The presale has already raised more than $4.1 million, with tokens priced at $0.0058. Over 10,000 holders have joined and staking rewards currently pay out above 618% APY. Staking rewards are expected to come down as more investors join in but the early returns have already helped build strong momentum for the project. Beyond staking, the team has lined up NFT integrations, gamified incentives and a $1 million community giveaway to keep holders engaged once the presale wraps up. Analysts watching the market believe Layer Brett could climb 100x to 175x if demand grows after its exchange debut, especially with Ethereum Layer 2 networks becoming a larger part of DeFi, gaming and meme trading activity. The latest XRP Price and Litecoin Price Prediction models both point to solid upside in the next cycle but their gains are capped compared to emerging tokens. XRP could reach as high as $12, while Litecoin might retest $300. Layer Brett, on the other hand, offers the combination of early entry pricing, meme culture and Ethereum Layer 2 scalability that could give investors exposure to life-changing multiples. For many, the smart strategy is to hold established assets like XRP and Litecoin for stability while allocating a portion to high-upside presales such as Layer Brett. Disclaimer: This media platform provides the content of this article on an “as-is” basis, without any warranties or representations of any kind, express or implied. We assume no responsibility for any inaccuracies, errors, or omissions. We do not assume any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information presented herein. Any concerns, complaints, or copyright issues related to this article should be directed to the content provider mentioned above. This is a Press Release provided by a third party who is responsible for the content. Please conduct your own research before taking any action based on the content. The latest XRP Price models and Litecoin Price Prediction charts are stirring debate as traders…
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Jakarta, Pintu News – The price of Pi Network in Indonesia as of today, October 3, 2025, is recorded at around IDR 4,388 or approximately $0.2621 per coin. Although the price has decreased in the last 24 hours, the enthusiasm of the Pi community remains high. This optimism was further reinforced by recent highlights at Singapore’s TOKEN2049 event, where Pi Network Co-Founder, Dr. Chengdiao Fan, emphasized the importance of a Web3 future that focuses on real utility, rather than mere price speculation. The momentum is proof that Pi Network not only offers value as a cryptocurrency, but also drives a new direction in the blockchain world that is more inclusive and rewarding. The price of Pi Network (PI) on the daily chart shows a downward trend with the dominance of red candlesticks. PI is currently trading at $0.2621, down about 2.72% in the last 24 hours. The sharp decline was seen around 6 am, after previously the price had tried to hold in the $0.266-$0.268 area but failed to break the resistance. Since then, the price movement has been sideways with slight fluctuations in the range of $0.262-$0.264. Market capitalization also dropped to $2.16 billion with 24-hour trading volume plummeting by 26.1% to $29.49 million, signaling weakening short-term trading interest. Even so, community sentiment remains positive, with 88% bullish votes from 4.3 million voters. This suggests long-term optimism from retail investors, although technically the PI is still facing strong selling pressure with important support at the $0.26 area. Also read: Gold Jewelry Price Today, Friday October 3, 2025 🚨 TOKEN2049 Singapore: Dr. Chengdiao Fan’s Speech LIT UP THE STAGE! 🚀
Pi Network’s co-founder Dr. Chengdiao Fan delivered a 🔥 keynote at TOKEN2049: “Crypto’s Future: From Liquidity to Utility – Web3 Pathways to Innovation.”
She… pic.twitter.com/fU8jEUVlw0 Singapore’s TOKEN2049 international crypto conference was again a big stage for blockchain projects. One that stole the show was Pi Network, with a keynote delivered by Co-Founder Dr. Chengdiao Fan in front of more than 25,000 attendees. In a session titled “Crypto’s Future: From Liquidity to Utility – Web3 Pathways to Innovation”, Dr. Fan emphasized the importance of the cryptocurrency industry moving beyond price speculation towards real value in the real world. This message is an important highlight for the global crypto community. With more than 60 million Pi users (Pioneers) around the world, Pi Network emphasizes that cryptocurrency adoption cannot only be measured by the rise and fall of prices. Instead, Web3 innovation should focus on creating real tools, communities, and solutions that can be used in everyday life. That’s the latest information about crypto. Follow us on Google News to get the latest crypto news about crypto projects and blockchain technology. Also, learn crypto from scratch with complete discussion through Pintu Academy and stay up-to-date with the latest crypto market such as bitcoin price today, xrp coin price today, dogecoin and other crypto asset prices through Pintu Market. Enjoy an easy and secure crypto trading experience by downloading Pintu crypto app via Google Play Store or App Store now. Also, get a web trading experience with various advanced trading tools such as pro charting, various types of order types, and portfolio tracker only at Pintu Pro. *Disclaimer This content aims to enrich readers’ information. Pintu collects this information from various relevant sources and is not influenced by outside parties. Note that an asset’s past performance does not determine its projected future performance. Trading crypto carries high risk and volatility, always do your own research and use cold hard cash before investing. All activities of buying and selling bitcoin and other crypto asset investments are the responsibility of the reader. Reference:
The search for the best crypto to buy now is heating up as traders look for tokens that could deliver big returns in the next bull market. History shows how fast a strong narrative can create huge gains. ZCash (ZEC) once did exactly that when it brought privacy to the blockchain space. But today, coins like Cardano (ADA), XRP and Layer Brett (LBRETT) are finding it harder to capture that same explosive momentum, pushing investors to look toward newer opportunities with more upside potential. When ZCash came onto the scene, it stood out for bringing privacy into crypto in a way few projects had attempted. The use of zero-knowledge proofs gave people the option to move funds without exposing details and that novelty pulled in both investors and developers. In its first years, the coin moved sharply higher, convincing many that ZEC could become the go-to name for privacy in digital assets. That momentum faded over time. Regulatory concerns and competition from other privacy projects limited its growth, leaving ZEC far from the heights it once reached. While development continues and its community is still active, it has become clear that ZCash is no longer the rocket it once was. For many, the lesson is simple: the biggest multiples often happen before a project becomes too well established. Cardano remains one of the most familiar names in the market, known for its academic and peer-reviewed approach to development. The network has introduced upgrades like smart contracts and scaling solutions but adoption has been slower than expected. Activity on the chain still trails behind faster competitors like Solana and Ethereum’s Layer 2 networks. With ADA trading near $0.85, it sits far below its peak price, and while its community is loyal, the pace of progress has tested investor patience. Cardano may still grow over the long term but analysts suggest it is unlikely to deliver the rapid multiples that early-stage tokens can achieve. XRP has stayed near the top of the market as Ripple keeps pushing its payment network for global transfers. Banks, money transfer companies, and payment processors use the system to move funds faster and at lower cost. This practical use case gives XRP a clear role in crypto, separating it from tokens that rely mainly on hype. The conversation about the best crypto to buy now increasingly includes Layer Brett (LBRETT), a presale token built on Ethereum Layer 2 technology. Unlike meme coins that rely only on hype, Layer Brett combines cultural appeal with real scalability. Its infrastructure allows low-cost, near-instant transactions secured by Ethereum, while its branding and community energy have drawn comparisons to early Dogecoin. The presale has brought in over $4.1 million, with tokens priced at $0.0058. More than 10,000 holders are on board and staking rewards sit above 618% APY, encouraging early participation. The roadmap includes NFT features, gamified rewards and a $1 million community giveaway, designed to keep engagement strong beyond the presale stage. ZCash once showed how a strong idea could turn into explosive returns but today it struggles for relevance. Cardano and XRP remain respected, yet their upside is limited compared to smaller, emerging projects. For investors focused on finding the best crypto to buy now, Layer Brett is standing out. Its mix of Ethereum Layer 2 technology, meme-driven culture and unusually high staking rewards is creating a buzz that many believe could deliver the kind of returns major coins can no longer provide. Disclaimer: This media platform provides the content of this article on an “as-is” basis, without any warranties or representations of any kind, express or implied. We assume no responsibility for any inaccuracies, errors, or omissions. We do not assume any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information presented herein. Any concerns, complaints, or copyright issues related to this article should be directed to the content provider mentioned above. This is a Press Release provided by a third party who is responsible for the content. Please conduct your own research before taking any action based on the content. The global crypto market has crossed the $4 trillion mark again, powered by Bitcoin’s rebound…
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In the 1999 movie, the Matrix, Morpheus offers the protagonist Neo a choice between two pills. A red one and blue pill. The blue pill means the status quo. The story ends and no one is the wiser. The red pill means the story moves on and Neo’s journey moves forward. Photo of Kyra Roberts. So, what on earth does this have to do with palliative care? Like everything, it begins with a story. Two stories, in fact. The first story is about Kyra Roberts. Kyra was born in Edmonton and raised in Windsor, Ont. She lived with her family, Brenda, Terence and Tiffanie. Kyra really liked Disney and visited Disney World regularly with her family prior to being diagnosed with ovarian cancer when she was 22. The next story is about John Dale. John was born in 1938 and lived most of his life in Toronto. He has five children, including Anthony and Nancy. Nancy once helped me make a video about a patient of mine named Thor. I never knew John but Anthony and Nancy tell me he was the best father ever. Photo of John Dale. John was 73 when he was diagnosed with a recurrence of his colon cancer. Despite their age and diagnosis, John and Kyra’s stories share the fact that they both faced a life-limiting illness and both lived in Ontario. But this is where their stories diverge. Kyra lived blocks away from one of the best palliative care programs in Ontario – the Hospice of Windsor and Essex County. Founded in 1979, the Hospice of Windsor has focused on providing patients with high-quality palliative care and supporting families and caregivers. Their vision “is to be an oasis of peace, comfort and trust supporting the whole person with respect, compassion and empathy.” Boldly displayed on all their letterhead and materials: Educate. Support. Empower. Kyra’s case was never an easy one. To date, it was one of the hardest and most challenging of my 15-year career. When she was referred to me, she was bouncing in and out of the hospital with severe symptoms relating to her cancer. Despite their best efforts, her oncologist and family doctor were not in a position to give Kyra the help she needed. As such, she was referred to our program. I cared for Kyra for more than two and a half years. With the help of my team, home care services through CCAC (now the LHIN), including her visiting nurse and other support staff, we provided Kyra with 24/7/365 care. During this time, she made one last trip to Disney World, a special place for her and her family. Her souvenir mug still sits on my shelf. Kyra’s souvenir Disney mug. Kyra started palliative sedation for a terminal delirium Aug. 25, 2017. It is the only time our program has used propofol in the community setting. A few days later, the family home flooded. It was one of those so-called “hundred-year storms” that seem to happen more frequently these days. We asked Kyra’s family if she would have wanted placement in our residential hospice. Kyra said, as only she could, that if we made her leave the house, she would come back and freakin’ haunt us. I, for one, believed her. And she didn’t say freakin’. She died at home, with her family present, on August 30, 2017. She was 25. John’s case, unfortunately, is very different. I did not provide care for John but his case is summarized elegantly in thisarticle by his son, Anthony. John’s cancer recurred 18 months after his initial surgery. When cure was no longer an option, John fell into a “blank zone” in our healthcare system that was difficult, if not impossible, to navigate. Despite a loving and knowledgeable family who understood the system, John was never assessed for palliative care support. He did not receive the care he needed or deserved. As such, he did not die in the setting of his choice. He did not die with the dignity we expect for our loved ones. John Dale died in hospital, sharing a room with another patient, on Aug. 30, 2014. He was 75. As Morpheus exclaimed: “I do not see coincidence, I see providence. I see purpose. I believe it our fate to be here.” I have written extensively about the paucity of palliative care in Ontario specifically and Canada in general. The need for palliative care was recognized in the 1960s by Dame Cicely Saunders in England. We have had 60 years to get this right. And we have failed. Miserably. The evidence for palliative care is irrefutable. It provides better outcomes for patients facing a life-limiting illness while simultaneously cutting healthcare costs and use by limiting inappropriately aggressive care at end of life. Instead, it provides care in settings more appropriate for patients such as their homes or a hospice. While healthcare savings are not the goal of palliative care, I refer to this as a “beautiful side effect.” These savings can then be reinvested into other areas of the healthcare system such as mental health, addiction, public health and preventative care. As such, palliative care contributes positively to the sustainability of our universal publicly funded healthcare system. Better and cheaper? Seems to be good to be true. Well, it’s not. I havewritten about this previously in HealthyDebate. Currently, I am working with the OMA and CMA to replicate these results in Ontario and Canada, respectively. I often have referred to the indifference to palliative care as “benign neglect.” Look at any chart listing medical specialities; you will rarely see palliative medicine. Look at a politician’s political platform; rarely will you see palliative care highlighted, even under health care. But ask the general public about what needs to be fixed in our healthcare system and you will hear a very different story. And those stories are not pretty. Doing almost exclusively home visits for most of my career, I have sat on more couches than I can count in my 15 years of practice. Patients have told me how the system has let them down, time and time again, until our hospice got involved. Dying patients do not worry about hurting feelings, they tell it like it is. So, at what point do we simply label this indifference for what it is: neglect. Neglect of a vulnerable patient population and prejudice against patients who cannot be cured by fancy machines, complex surgery or expensive chemotherapies. Why do we romanticize “cure” and ignore “care?” When did we forget the simple principle of “cure sometimes, treat often, care always”? My story is about two patients. One of these patients had access to a high-quality palliative care program that boasts highly skilled family physicians and Royal College specialists; that is supported by a team that includes nurses, nurse practitioners, social workers, spiritual care, supportive staff and an army of volunteers; with two residential hospices, a community outreach program and access to a PCU; that is integrated with LHIN home care services and available 24/7/365; that offers wellness programs to lessen the burden on caregivers and families; that spans all care settings including inpatient, outpatient, home and long-term care; that has adopted virtual care enthusiastically with quality improvement baked into its DNA; that trains palliative care doctors, nurses and social workers at the highest level; that is 40 years in the making and growing every day. The other patient did not. Just because of where he lives. That is the “postal code” lottery for palliative care in Canada. So, back to our pills. The red one and blue one. The blue one means status quo. Take this pill and nothing changes. We keep doing what we are doing. Many patientssuffer and diewithout dignity. Some will get the care they need, oftentoo late and notwhere they need it. The red pill means change. It means making a choice. It means drawing a line in the sand and saying “enough.” It means doing what needs to be done and doing it now, not four years from now. Patients get the right care, in the right place, at the right time, for the right reasons. Taking the red pill means making the choice toinvest in palliative care. It means ensuringbasic competencies for all healthcare providers. Doctors, nurses, social workers, personal support workers. Everyone. It meansfunding programs to ensure patients get the care they need when and where they need it. There are 40 hours in a standard “work” week, yet every week has 168 hours. And there are 52 weeks in a year. Every year. It means establishing an academic home for palliative medicine in every medical school. It means committing research dollars towards alleviating pain and suffering, instead of just cures. Investing in palliative care means never telling a patient there is nothing more we can do because while we may stop treatment, we never stop caring. Actions have consequences but so does alack of action. For the policy-makers, the decision-makers and those who hold the power to affect change, it is time to stop telling patients there is nothing more WE can do. Until now, we haven’t even really tried. Dr. Bob Bell, former Ontario deputy Health Minister, once extolled the virtues of “heroic incrementalism.” In most cases, I would agree. This is not one of those cases. So, you have a choice before you. Red pill or blue pill. It’s up to you now. Choose wisely. https://windsorstar.com/news/ovarian-cancer-survivors-hope-awareness-will-lower-terrible-death-rate/ https://www.canadianhealthcarenetwork.ca/a-decade-of-poor-progress-on-palliative-care https://www.hqontario.ca/Portals/0/documents/system-performance/palliative-care-report-2019-en.pdf https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/name/kyra-roberts-obituary?pid=186551318 https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/thestar/obituary.aspx?pid=172321814
Contributor Dr. Darren Cargill is a fellow of the College of Family Physicians of Canada, the Royal College of Physicians of Canada, and American Association of Hospice Palliative Medicine. He is the past medical director for the Hospice of Windsor and Essex County and lead physician for its community-based Palliative Medicine Program. He is one of only two certified hospice medical directors in Canada and has his designation as a certified Canadian physician executive. He received HPCO’s Larry Librach award in 2017 for excellence in leadership and advancing palliative care through mentorship. Republish this article on your website under the creative commons licence. Until and unless palliative care is seen for what it is; As necessary a component of our healthcare system as are emergency rooms (imagine if your local ER depended on golf tournament type fundraisers to fund it!) then it will remain a “nice to have” instead of a “need to have”. Fund it from the same source as other essential health services (i.e. medicare) or watch it continue to remain a postal code lottery…. As a hospice volunteer, I have had the honour to sit with people who are dying, both in a hospice setting and in a hospital setting. Staff at both are caring and professional but the atmospheres are so different….soft music, dimmed warm lighting, quiet, beds with soft blankets like home, respite for families to eat and drink, to gather in a living room setting, to sleep in the room with their loved one in a comfortable bed, to shower in the morning, to lead a procession with staff and volunteers accompanying them (hospice supports the family and their dying loved one) Palliative consideration is a particular clinical consideration that centers around giving patients alleviation from torment and different indications of genuine sickness, regardless of the analysis or phase of the illness. Palliative consideration groups mean to improve the personal satisfaction of the two patients and their families. I fully support the idea of hospice. Being a nurse for many years, I fully understand the need. What I do not understand is why hospice care does not include MAID,if that becomes the patients wish. To transfer a dying patient to a different location to access MAID seems beyond cruel, and not upholding the hospice mandate to provide kind and compassionate end of life care. I feel strongly that this needs to change, having just gone through this situation with a loved one. THE COVID-19 EPIDEMIC has made us very aware of the “seasons” of our lives: from our birth in “spring,” until our death in “winter.” But how does one care for a TSERMINALLY ILL person? Here’s help! — Dr. Gerald D Griffin, a hospice physician, humanely discusses the needs of a terminally ill person, in “The Last Day of Winter: Secrets from the Seasons of Dying,” the book he has written with his co-author, medical social worker Pam Umann. Read it before you need it! Buy it wherever books are sold – or you can get it on Barnes & Noble, Bokus, Thriftbooks, or on Amazon. — These authors know, very personally, what they are writing about. The two experienced medical professionals hold the reader’s hands and lead them through life’s most difficult passage — helping the patient, the patient’s family and friends, and the patient’s caregivers, by exploring the needs of the terminally ill patient. The 200-page book educates readers about potential barriers they may encounter, while either providing or receiving needed care and support. Personal stories of triumph, isolation, fear, and grief are shared – equipping readers with the knowledge that they are not alone on the journey. — The easy-to-read book begins in the metaphysical September, with feelings of apprehension as the disease process begins, and ends on the last day of Winter in the terminal phase. “The Last Day of Winter” helps readers understand the importance of the relationship between each individual and the cycle of life – and between loved ones, as they face the “last day of winter” together. — You can buy it on Amazon at https://www.amazon.com/Last…/dp/1948738414/ref=sr_1_1.. This is LONG OVERDUE, we must learn from our Past! But, then again, we are 80 & 77 years young, with natural aging medical problems and one of us with a compromised immune system! We Pray we will have a great end of life health program waiting to welcome us and to see us on our final road of LIFE, Gary Anthony and Sharon Dianne Foster Pattison! Thanks Sharon and Gary. You shouldn’t have to pray for something as basic as appropriate end of life care. Dr. Carroll, Once again you have eloquently stated the case for palliative care focus/funding. Thank you, I’ll be sharing your piece widely. What we need now is some concerted advocacy across the province to ensure that the message is heard (and acted upon) by our policy makers. Thanks Joan. Please share. I was texted by a colleague of mine who works in one of our local hospitals. She told me that her father died under similar circumstances as John. I am sure there are many, many more stories like this. It is time to stop accepting this as the status quo. Thank you for writing this powerful advocacy piece and for the skill and caring you bring to your patients and their families. All Canadians deserve the same access and quality of care. Thank you Denise. I agree. All Canadians do deserve the same access and quality of care. What’s stopping us? Thank you Dr. Cargill for a very compelling piece. I cannot find any argument to refute your advocacy. Other than the humanity, the Return on Investment (the “beautiful side effect” as you refer to it) makes this a ‘no-brainer.’ And yet, here we are… You have been brutally honest in your piece …. what would you speculate is the real reason we (“we” as in our society, our politicians, our healthcare administrators) have not prioritized investment in palliative care over the years? Sad as it is, the George Floyd murder has given wings to the Black Lives Matter movement, and hopefully there will be changes in society as result of that outrage. As a parallel, what do you think would trigger us to shift our perceptions about palliative care in Ontario? Hi Abhi, I would speculate that palliative care has a PR problem. We live in a death fearing society. As such, we have a bias towards medicine that can cure and prevent death. It is much easier to advocate for expensive medications, treatments and technologies aimed at curing and treating disease than “admitting defeat” and funding palliative and end of life care. It requires a paradigm shift in thinking. I plan to write about this PR problem in the future. Re: George Floyd and BLM. Sadly, I have often said it would take someone very important or the loved one of someone very important to die poorly to finally bring attention to this issue. I hope that won’t be necessary. So far, professional, compassionate, humanistic and economic arguments have not been enough to sway the tide. Thank you for your question. Thank you Dr. Cargill for your response. Please continue your advocacy. I would be happy to join in and help in your mission – please let me know how I can connect and help. Share this wide and far. Stories tend to resonate more than facts and figures. I am a palitive patients daughter, whom as a family decided along with the patient to stay at home for the end of life. For the most part my mothers care from nurses, psw and palitive doctor have been okay. As for our main nurse she is good but neglected to inform the family of what LHIN would assist with from a hospital bed to supplies. I have to be in constant contact with the coordinator for guidance and assistance. I know with COVID being apart of what we have to deal in our world today makes things tougher but come on should the lack of common curticy be ultered….. I would love to become an advocate for patients & their families if someone could advise me. I honestly believe in my heart that any palitive young or elderly are our heros and deserve the up most respect throughout their journey. Hi Susan, If you are interested in caregiver advocacy, reach out to @MaggieKeresteci on Twitter. You won’t find a better person to guide you on that issue. What a wonderfully articulate piece. I am very proud that the University of Windsor has created a Palliative Care course as part of its BScN program in fourth year. It is encouraging to see that the efforts being put forth by yourself and your colleagues are being met with success. Having used your home-care program five years ago, it is exciting to see this increase in awareness and comprehension for future generations of healthcare workers. Thanks Tessa. Although I write from a physician perspective, I cannot emphasize enough the importance of nursing in palliative care. Whether it was the nurse educators at our hospice, the home care nurses through CCAC or many others, nursing is a cornerstone of palliative care. We are very proud to help educate and teach future nurses at the Hospice of Windsor. I wrote previously in Healthy Debate about the need for basic competencies for all healthcare providers. UWindsor is certainly helping to lead the way. Having said that, there are still tremendous gaps in the system and that is the cautionary tale of John’s story. Sadly, he is the rule and not the exception. Excellent article Darren. Always humbled by what you and your colleagues do. Palliative care needs support otherwise it cannot support those that need it. There should never be a blue pill. Thank you for your kind words Voytek. I have always appreciated the support you and the OMA have provided me and my colleagues. As a patient – who advocates for, and actually understands that palliative is not a euphemism for ‘nothing more can be done’ – I humbly submit that there is still work to be done to ensure this is bottom up/top down understanding. That, and, in the fullness of time, to have #palliativecare consistently available and practiced to a consistent standard/staffing. Thanks Kathy. As always, you are a great advocate for palliative care. As a volunteer at Hospice I found your article most interesting & very informative, please keep doing what you do so compassionately, the Hospice needs more like you. Look forward to your questions, comments or gratuitous insults 🙂 Your article is so timely and articulates what I feel in the field. Thank you. I am about to quote you to a palliative care manager to advocate for adequate resourcing. Thank you again, paed pall care nurse in the ACT Thank you Ashka. Please quote away 🙂 Contributor Dr. Darren Cargill is a fellow of the College of Family Physicians of Canada, the Royal College of Physicians of Canada, and American Association of Hospice Palliative Medicine. He is the past medical director for the Hospice of Windsor and Essex County and lead physician for its community-based Palliative Medicine Program. He is one of only two certified hospice medical directors in Canada and has his designation as a certified Canadian physician executive. He received HPCO’s Larry Librach award in 2017 for excellence in leadership and advancing palliative care through mentorship. Republish this article on your website under the creative commons licence. Your support allows us to publish journalism about healthcare in Canada that is free to read and free to republish. Donations are tax-deductible. Sign up below to receive our newsletter every Thursday morning.
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