On Friday, 2 February, live on TV3 at 21:00, the charity concert “Brivi (no)dzivot” will take place, inviting viewers to donate towards end-of-life care for terminally ill people – both to ensure dignified care and for other “Hospiss LV” charity projects focused on the needs of dying patients, organisers announced.
Although since 1 January this year a new state-funded service has been available in Latvia – “mobile palliative care team services at the patient’s place of residence” – receiving professional support remains difficult for a dying person due to strict requirements and a lack of information. To qualify for state-funded palliative care at home, a patient needs a decision from a council of doctors at fourth- and fifth-level hospitals confirming eligibility for the service, where life expectancy is projected at up to six months – an unusual requirement in the Latvian context.
“Dying people need help immediately, so for those who, due to bureaucracy or difficult life circumstances, cannot gather all the necessary documents, but where we see that care is urgently needed, we continue to help using donated funds. Music heals the soul, brings back memories and tears to patients’ eyes. It gives assurance that a person’s life has value until their very last breath. That is why we want to thank the Latvian National Symphony Orchestra Foundation, all the artists, and Moller Auto for organising this concert and for their financial support. I very much hope other companies will take up this initiative too,” says Ilze Zosule, co-founder of the charity organisation “Hospiss LV.”
Izida Gerkena, executive director of the Moller Auto group of companies in the Baltics, on supporting “Hospiss LV,” says: “A state that respects its citizens is able to care for them until their last day. In Latvia, the palliative care system is still developing, meaning many Latvian citizens do not have the opportunity to spend their final days with dignity. The reasons vary, but most often it is the financial situation of the dying person or their family that prevents them from receiving professional help. That is why I believe that we, as business people and individuals who can afford it, must get involved.”
Last year, 84,709 euros from donations were used for hospice care for 51 people. The youngest patient was just 19 years old. Donations are also needed for other “Hospiss LV” charity projects – the weekly “Festive Table” campaign, in which volunteers bring treats to cheer patients in hospitals’ palliative and oncology departments, and “Wish Fulfilled,” which helps fulfil patients’ unrealised life dreams or relive their most beautiful moments.
Janis Jenzis, chairman of the board of the Latvian National Symphony Orchestra Foundation, notes that musicians have already been delighting patients in hospitals’ palliative care departments with performances, so that healing music can also be heard by those who can no longer attend concerts themselves. This time, music will be used both to draw attention to the challenges of palliative care in Latvia and to call for support in ensuring care for terminally ill people.
The concept for the charity concert “Brivi (no)dzivot” programme was created by the LNSO and conductor Janis Stafeckis, inviting long-standing creative partners and friends of the LNSO stage to take part: the Latvian Radio Big Band, whose artistic director is Karlis Vanags, singers Linda Leen and Daumants Kalnins, violinist Kristine Balanas, and the ensemble “Xylem Trio,” featuring Oskars and Raimonds Petrauskis, as well as Rihards Zalupe.
The concert will feature songs by Raimonds Pauls, original music by Linda Leen and Karlis Vanags, as well as music by Camille Saint-Saens, Giya Kancheli and other composers.
Donations can be made during the concert by calling 9000 6868 (one call costs 4.27 euros) or via the “Hospiss LV” charity website.