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Rwanda avoids US-style opioids crisis by making own morphine

Cara Anna Claire Galofaro

December 25, 2019 |

Associated Press |

Multi-Media |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: Rwanda, Bushekeli

The Rwandan government is on a mission to get palliative care to everyone who needs it by creating their own morphine instead of being beholden to pharmaceutical companies driven by profit. Using Uganda's simple recipe for morphine, the government partnered with nonprofits to produce and distribute morphine for free and under close watch. The drug costs pennies to make and is hand-delivered by community workers to those who need it, no matter how far. Although fear and uncertainty remain over the possibility of opioid addiction, many patients are greatly relieved to now live pain-free.

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A Sip Of Morphine: Uganda's Old-School Solution To A Shortage Of Painkillers

Nurith Aizenman

November 25, 2019 |

NPR |

Radio |

5-15 Minutes

Response Location: Uganda, Kampala

Liquid morphine offers a low-tech, low-dose alternative to other opioids when it comes to pain management. Uganda has taken steps to increase palliative care by allowing nurses to prescribe doses of morphine to patients, due to the shortage of doctors. The drug is affordable or free to some patients, and the low doses in liquid form prevents patients from developing addictions associated with other opioid drugs.

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A Greener Afterlife

Courtney Duchene

September 11, 2019 |

The Philadelphia Citizen |

Multi-Media |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Philadelphia’s West Laurel Hill Cemetery has gone green. While the burial business may be notoriously filled with chemicals, this cemetery has introduced 50 different sustainability initiatives, including banning machinery use, only allowing biodegradable caskets – or no caskets at all – and keeping the grounds flourishing with native plants instead of manicured lawns. The efforts also include community engagement to bring residents into the environmental shift as part of a larger, cultural trend toward sustainability.

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The End of Time: Aging in America

JoAnn Mar

May 08, 2019 |

Making Contact |

Podcast |

Over 15 Minutes

Response Location: United States, San Francisco, California

Senior citizens can often face many barriers when trying to set up end of life care, and this is exacerbated for minorities due to language and cultural barriers. On Lok Senior Health Services, however, is a program now offered across the United States that helps seniors "age in place, and live independent, active lives," while still planning for the end of life.

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Dying sustainably

Alex Figares

March 28, 2019 |

Changing Florida |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Gainesville, Florida

In Florida, a funeral home is specializing in green burial practices – such as hand-digging graves and using biodegradable urns – as a way of lessening the environmental impact that is often associated with both burials and cremation services. Although their methodologies are not entirely earth-friendly, they are still just one of a few burial cemeteries that is "abiding by strict laws that focus on reducing carbon emissions and land restoration."

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Mourning the Demise of a Zen Place to Die

Courtney E. Martin

February 26, 2019 |

The New York Times |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, San Francisco, California

Instead of simply prioritizing growth, nonprofits need to implement carefully sized solutions with consideration to the longevity of their model. The closure of the Zen Hospice Project in San Francisco, California, demonstrates how issues stemming from rapid growth scaling can undermine the longevity of a nonprofit’s mission. As the hospices’ human- and mindfulness-centered approach faded in the face of expansion, the toll and tensions led to a loss of crucial human capital, leading the hospice to close.

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Another Kind of Rescue After the Wildfires

Federica Armstrong

February 12, 2019 |

Yes! Magazine |

Photojournalism |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, California

Wildfires have routines destroyed parts of California and are only becoming more devastating as temperatures rise, taking many lives in their paths of destruction. To bring solace and closure for families, volunteer archaeologists are training dogs to identify cremated remains.

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Dress Rehearsal For Death: Using Virtual Reality To Foster Empathy For Dying Patients

Kathleen Burge

November 16, 2018 |

WBUR |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Maine

Virtual reality is being used as part of medical education providing a way for nurses and other medical workers to better understand how a patient may experiencing their surroundings. Virtual reality modules have been created for blind, colorblind, dementia, and dying patients.

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This Chemical Is So Hot It Destroys Nerve Fibers—in a Good Way

Matt Simon

November 14, 2018 |

Wired |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, San Diego, California

Doctors and researchers are working to use the burning chemical from a Moroccan plant to treat persistent pain. The chemical, RTX, is so potent that it kills certain pain receptors without completely numbing the affected area. Doctors are hopeful that new drugs could replace opioids and give patients real relief.

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When Patients Can't Be Cured: Mass. Med Schools Teaching More End-Of-Life Care

Kathleen Burge

October 01, 2018 |

WBUR |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Massachusetts

Medical schools in Massachusetts are starting to teach students palliative care methods. Instead of trying to cure every ailment, students are introduced to the idea of an end-of-life treatment plan without exhausting tests. All four area medical schools agreed to work together and possibly change the way they teach students about end of life care.

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