April 16: A Day That Belongs to All of Us

Every April 16th, a quiet, and mostly unknown movement stirs. In homes, hospitals, community centers, and online spaces across North America and beyond, people pause to acknowledge something we all share — the certainty that life is finite, and the opportunity we have, right now, to plan for it with intention.

Whether you're in Canada, the United States, or Australia, this day carries the same message: our wishes deserve to be known, and the people we love deserve the gift of clarity.

In Canada and the U.S., April 16th is recognized as National Advance Care Planning Day and National Healthcare Decisions Day respectively. In Australia, the conversation is growing steadily under the banner of Advance Care Planning Australia. The names and the legal frameworks differ by country — and even by state or province — but the heart of the matter is universal: too many people are leaving the most important decisions of their lives unspoken, and the people they love are left to carry that weight.

What is advance care planning?

At its heart, it's a process — not just a document. It begins with reflecting on your values: what matters most to you, what quality of life means to you, and what you would or wouldn't want if you became seriously ill and couldn't speak for yourself. From there, it involves choosing someone you trust to speak on your behalf, and documenting your wishes in whatever form your country or region recognizes. The terminology varies — Advance Directive, Personal Directive, Representation Agreement, Power of Attorney for Personal Care — but the purpose is the same: ensuring your voice is heard when it matters most.

Why does this day matter?

Because the gap between intention and action remains wide across every country, every culture, every demographic. Studies consistently show that most people believe advance care planning is important. Far fewer have actually done it. And when a crisis arrives, that gap doesn't stay abstract. It lands on the shoulders of the people sitting at the bedside, trying to make impossible decisions without a map.

That's why the Willow community exists. And it's why this work belongs to all of us, and not just those facing illness, or the elderly, or just families already in crisis. Advance care planning is for the healthy, for the young, and for anyone who loves someone.

Whether you're a Willow EOL Educator, a Vision to Venture participant building your own practice, or someone who found Willow because you knew that today is a good day to take one step. 

• Have one conversation. 
• Register for a Willow Workshop®. 
• Share this post with someone who needs it. 

Because when we plan with intention, we connect deeply with the important people in our lives, and we give them the gift no crisis can take away.

Willow Workshops
There are a wide variety of topics to choose from, and most are all accessible online! Check out the Upcoming Workshops available for different schedules and time zones. All are delivered by qualified Willow EOL Educators®.