Giving Tuesday: A Global Day of Generosity

Every year on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving, people around the world unite for Giving Tuesday—a global movement that began in 2012 as a simple idea: to encourage radical generosity. What started as a small campaign at New York’s 92nd Street Y and the United Nations Foundation has grown into an International Day of Giving, inspiring millions to support causes that make a difference.

This year, on December 2,2025, Gilchrist invites our community to take part in this spirit of generosity by supporting a cause that reaches far beyond our borders—our international partnership with Nkoaranga Palliative Care in northern Tanzania.

A Partnership That Crosses Continents

At Gilchrist, we know that the need for compassionate, quality palliative and hospice care knows no borders. Since 2009, Gilchrist has proudly partnered with Nkoaranga Palliative Care,, joining hands across continents to bring comfort, dignity, and hope to those facing serious illness.

What began as a knowledge and skill-sharing partnership became something even greater. When Nkoaranga lost its main source of financial support in 2011, Gilchrist stepped up to fully fund the program’s annual operating budget. Today, through this enduring partnership, Gilchrist provides funds to ensure Nkoaranga’s dedicated team can continue delivering life-changing care to patients and families who would otherwise go without.

Facing Challenges with Courage and Compassion

Nkoaranga serves a region where poverty, malnutrition, and long, rugged journeys make access to healthcare extremely difficult. While many people have access to HIV treatment through government antiretroviral therapy (ART) programs, access to community-based support varies. Some patients receive this support through Nkoaranga’s program, but cuts to USAID funding have reduced the availability of other such programs in the region.

Approximately 76% of Nkoaranga’s patients live with HIV/AIDS, though there is no data on how many previously participated in community programs within their catchment area. The Nkoaranga team, a doctor, social worker, palliative care coordinator, chaplain, driver, and 12 trained volunteers, brings care directly to patients’ homes. Each month, the small team, in their single ambulance, travels across a 40-mile radius, averaging 57 home visits and nearly 100 patient visits at Nkoaranga Hospital. Together, they provide not just medical relief but also emotional and spiritual care, along with education and guidance to help families survive and thrive.

The Heart of the Program

Key elements of Nkoaranga’s model include:

• Home-Based Palliative Care: Pain and symptom management, caregiver education, and ongoing support.
• Support Groups: Monthly gatherings for adults and children living with HIV/AIDS that offer community, food, medication, and learning resources.
• Kids Club: A lifeline for more than 30 children each month, providing mentorship, meals, medical follow-up, and educational scholarships.

In the first 10 months of 2025 alone, Nkoaranga’s small but mighty team conducted over 574 home visits and supported an average monthly caseload of 860 patients and their families.

Why This Partnership Matters

Philanthropic support sustains staff salaries, medications, volunteer stipends, vehicle maintenance, school scholarships, and incidentals for basic food and transport to the hospital for outpatient care.

As Robin Contino, Gilchrist’s Director of Community Engagement and Chief Philanthropy Officer, explains: “Our partnership with Nkoaranga is a reminder that compassion has no boundaries. The team in Tanzania faces extraordinary challenges with grace and resilience, and we are deeply grateful to everyone at Gilchrist and GBMC who makes their work possible.”

Giving Tuesday Goal: $10,000

This Giving Tuesday, our goal is to raise $10,000 to support Nkoaranga Palliative Care—funds that will go directly toward providing comfort and dignity to those who need it most. “Giving Tuesday gives us all a chance to be part of something bigger. Every dollar makes a difference. Every gift helps extend the compassion and care we value here at Gilchrist to families across the globe,” Shannon Wollman, Chief Philanthropy and Marketing Officer, shares.