Łódź

Łódź is the third largest city in Poland, with a population of 1.5m and the highest rate of cancer infection and mortality. Yet it has no residential hospice for adults - in all of Łódź district there are only 9 hospice beds so most patients have to travel 140km to receive residential care. Their families often struggle to afford to visit them. Waiting lists for domestic care are long (4 to 6 weeks), meaning that many patients die before they can receive the support that they need.

Łódź does, however, have five fantastic organisations that provide  care for terminally ill patients in their own homes. We have worked with one of these organisations, Stowarzyszenie Hospicjum  Łódzkie. It is the oldest palliative care organisation in Łodz. This organisation has received an old high school building from the city, which is being converted into the city's first residential hospice for adults.

To date, the Alina Foundation and Cycle Poland has donated:

• in 2011, parcels of dressings, specialist skin care materials and medicines, four commode wheelchairs, two bathing chairs and an inhalator;
• in 2012, dressings and medicines;
• in 2013, three wheelchairs, dressings and 10 blood pressure meters; and
• in 2014, a financial contribution towards the fit out of a new residential hospice. 

Read more on the hospice webpage.

Congratulations on your endurance and engagement in helping Polish hospices, which is very needed. Thank you for remembering us and for your help, particularly at a time of economic crisis for everyone. Thank you for your help and support. – Anna, Łódź

Certificate of appreciation for 
the Alina Foundation

In the name of the Lodz Hospice Association we wish to thank you sincerely for the heart that you have shown in helping our organisation