Podlasie

Fundacja Proroka Eliasza works in a particularly poor region of Poland where there is huge need for palliative care. It was set up in 2009 by a local doctor with the support of the local parish, which provided a chaplain and an old school building. 

After a great deal of hard work fundraising the building was renovated to provide a surgery for therapy for patients with disabilities. The purchase of a car meant volunteers could visit local villages and bring patients to the surgery, which now regularly provides support for 30 people with mental disabilities. 

The next step was the renovation of the first floor of the building to provide a base for hospice volunteers who visit patients in their own homes within a 40km radius. The organisation also runs workshops to teach people to care for terminally ill patients, whether within their families or as hospice volunteers.

The organisation hopes to raise sufficient funds for an extension to the building, to provide a residential hospice for 14 patients. 

The Alina Foundation and Cycle Poland have provided:

• ​in 2011, essential medicines and four pulse-oxymeters;
• in 2012, an examination table and chair, three anti-bedsore mattresses, a blood pressure monitor, funding for 7 staff to take part in a "Palliative Care in Poland" conference;
• in  2014, two sets of massage therapy equipment;
• in 2015, three beds, six glucosemeters, a patient hoist, a blood pressure meter, an infusion pump, a resuscitator, five stethoscopes, two pulse-oxymeters and physiotherapy bands.
• in 2017, two oxygen concentrators
• in 2020, 6.000 zł to cover the salary of two nurses for two months
• in 2021, 10.000 zł towards the cost of building a residential hospice

"You are incredible – we are delighted to have another bed for our patients. "

"A huge thank you, we didn't expect that we'd manage to acquire such great equipment so soon. Thanks to you it turned out to be possible, and our goal - achievable."

"The beds are all in use, we always need more. We hope for equipment to help transfer patients. Many are cared for by older spouses who no longer have the strength that they used to - all of this equipment will be lent out for free. "

"Two days ago the parcel of pulse-oxymeters arrived. We have also received the medicines. A huge thank you. It's great that you are here."

- Paweł Grabowski

Read more on the hospice website.