Hope laughs a lot, she has blue eyes. She is the color of happiness and the sun.
Hope sometimes screams - she must speak lauder than fear.
Hope is shy and sometimes hides herself.
You can entice her to come over, but usually you must wait for her patiently.
If you don't take care of her... she may die.
Hope has her offspring. They are called "Little Hopes". You can't keep them only for yourself.
You ought to give them to those who really need them.



The Home Hospice for Children of Lodz Region was established on January 4th 2004 by The Gajusz Foundation.

The Gajusz Foundation was set up in February 1998.
The idea came to my mind during my son's severe, life-threatening illness. Gajusz was born with marrow defect - it didn't produce granulocytes. On Friday morning July 11 1996, being nine days old, he ended up in hospital. The battle for his life lasted almost a year. During that period many children whom I knew died. At that time I promised to myself that if Gajusz had survived I would have set up a foundation aimed at helping such children and their families. On February 20th, after several months of endeavor I managed to register The Gajusz Foundation and my son is completely healthy. The initially realized program was called "Gajusz Ill Child's Friend". In January our foundation started up Home Hospice for Children of Lodz Region. Remembering that dying is the part of life we wish to accompany our patients by helping them to keep their fears and sufferings at bay and not let them to pass away lonely.

The work of our hospice is natural continuation of the supportive care provided by The Gajusz Foundation's staff and volunteers (5 psychologists, psychiatrist, 80 volunteers) at hospital's wards (oncology and hematology, intensive care unit). As our work relies greatly on public support we kindly ask for your financial and material donations in aid of vulnerable children and families in need. At the moment we take care of more than 20 children and The National Health Fund covers up to 40% of our expenses (you can find such proportions around the entire country - hospicja.pl). Among things we currently miss the most are medications and medical equipment (two inhalers, oxygen concentrators, 3 puls oximeters, 3 electrical syringes). We do our utmost to help our children and their families carry the burden of the immature parting. Please believe us, it entails lots of strength. At the same time we need to deal with movements-limiting prose of life - drug taking, dressings and car - so when the night falls and the fear is the greatest we are ready to deliver the painkillers. We try to raise funds by employing various methods. Oftentimes we experience people's great cordiality who, donating little money, support our hospice.

We offer our assistance to children in terminal phase of illness. Our team brings together doctors, nurses, psychologists, social workers, volunteers and a chaplain dedicated to the care of children and their families at their homes, which are quite often located far away from Lodz. We also provide care for bereaved relatives.

With best regards,
Tisa Żawrocka
Board's Chairman.