Moments of lightness in the first children's hospice

Allani combines the warmth of a home with the safety of a clinical facility. The allani House – a former farmhouse and an adjacent building – was lovingly renovated and designed to meet the physical, social, and emotional needs of the children and their families. In addition to short-term care, the hospice also offers care for children in end-of-life situations: children with life-limiting illnesses can spend their final phase of life in the hospice, receiving compassionate, professional care, and, if necessary, pass away there.

From a kitchen table idea to reality in 10 years
Life is at the heart of allani: here, families can recharge, receive comprehensive support, and focus on their precious time together. With the arrival of the first families in August, Switzerland’s first children’s hospice came to life. For the project team of the allani Children’s Hospice Foundation, a dream has come true: the kitchen table idea of a children’s hospice became a vision and, after ten years of hard work, finally became reality.

No hospice funding regulation in Switzerland
Unlike in most other European countries, the funding for hospices in Switzerland is not legally regulated. Without government support, the project had to be fully funded through donations until it could be realized. Even in the future, only a portion of the operating costs can be covered through social insurance and health insurance, which means allani will continue to rely primarily on donations and support.

Giggle Doctors bring moments of joy
The allani team showed courage and perseverance in realizing this touching and valuable initiative. The Theodora Foundation supports this pioneering spirit with several pilot visits from Giggle Doctors at the allani House. Dr. Gili Gili and Dr. Carusela, sometimes working together and sometimes individually, provide children, their families, and the care staff with moments of joy and lightness.

More children’s hospices planned
The opening of the Flamingo Children’s Hospice in Fällanden, Zurich, is scheduled for the 4th quarter of 2025. The hospice, supported by the «Children’s Hospice Foundation», established in 2009, will offer eight care rooms for children and eight for families. Since 2014, the foundation has been providing holidays for families with terminally ill children. In Basel, the «Mehr Leben Basel» association, founded in 2017, has set the goal of establishing a multi-generational palliative and hospice center near the Dandelion Care Center for people with dementia. When it opens in 2027, there will be 8 to 10 care rooms available. The Theodora Foundation is also in contact with these two foundations to bring moments of joy to children with life-limiting illnesses and their loved ones.

New program – Your naming ideas needed
We are looking for a name for the Giggle Doctor visit program at the hospice. Do you have an idea? Feel free to share it with us here:

Submit a name suggestion

We look forward to your creative suggestions. Thank you very much!