Honouring Patient Wishes with Evaheld Legacy Vault

Imagine a patient named Margaret, newly diagnosed with a terminal illness, who finds peace not in the prognosis, but in the act of documenting her healthcare wishes and who she wants by her side. This simple act transformed her end-of-life care journey, giving her autonomy and sparing her family guesswork during a tender time. This blog delves into why honouring patient wishes through clear, accessible documentation is the cornerstone of compassionate palliative care and how tools like the Evaheld Legacy Vault enable this mission.

The Heart of End-of-Life Care: Honouring Autonomy

At the very core of palliative care lies a profound commitment: to honour patient autonomy and ensure that every individual’s final days are shaped by their own values, beliefs, and wishes. This is not simply a guiding principle—it is the ethical foundation upon which all end-of-life care must rest. When autonomy is respected, patients experience a sense of dignity and control, even as they approach life’s end.

Autonomy, Dignity, and Personal Values

Patient autonomy is inseparable from dignity. When care teams actively listen and document what matters most to each person—be it the place they wish to die, the presence of loved ones, or spiritual rituals—they are affirming the patient’s inherent worth. For many, these preferences are deeply personal and reflect a lifetime of values. By aligning care with these wishes, clinicians offer not just medical support, but also profound respect for the individual’s identity.

Margaret’s Story: Relief Through Recognition

Consider the story of Margaret, a fictional patient in her late seventies. Margaret’s greatest fear was that her spiritual needs would be overlooked in her final days. Through open conversations with her care team and family, she was able to document her wishes: soft music from her childhood, the presence of her daughter, and a quiet moment of prayer. Knowing these details were safely stored in her Evaheld Legacy Vault gave Margaret immense relief. She expressed gratitude that her voice would be heard, even if she could no longer speak for herself. This assurance allowed her to focus on meaningful connections, rather than worry about the unknown.

The Power of Documented Wishes

A clearly documented advance care plan (ACP) and end-of-life preferences are not just administrative tasks—they are the bedrock of authentic, compassionate care. When wishes are recorded, they serve as a guiding light for both clinical teams and families. Research consistently shows that advance care planning reduces family stress and prevents misunderstandings, as loved ones are not left to guess or debate what the patient would have wanted. This clarity is a gift to grieving families and a source of confidence for clinicians, who can act with certainty and compassion.

Practical Implications: When Autonomy Is and Isn’t Documented

When documented: Care teams can deliver truly person-centred care, ensuring every action aligns with the patient’s values. Families are united, and staff experience less moral distress.
When not documented: Uncertainty can lead to family conflict, with loved ones disagreeing about what should happen. Clinicians may feel torn between differing opinions, risking distress and ethical compromise.

The Ethical Responsibility of Care Teams

Respecting documented wishes is an ethical imperative for all palliative and end-of-life care providers. It is not enough to ask about preferences; these must be captured, stored, and made accessible at the moment they are needed most. The Evaheld Legacy Vault serves as a sacred vessel for these final wishes—far more than a document repository. Here, patients can leave letters, specify music, or list who they want by their side. For services, ensuring these wishes are honoured is the ultimate act of person-centred care, upholding the dignity and autonomy of every individual.

“Honouring patient autonomy is not just an ethical duty—it is the heart of compassionate end-of-life care.”

Plan ahead with confidence — create your free Advance Care Plan in the Evaheld Legacy Vault to record your healthcare wishes, appoint decision-makers, and give your loved ones clarity, comfort, and peace of mind.

Advance Care Planning: The Backbone of Authentic Care

At the heart of truly authentic end-of-life care lies a profound commitment to honouring each patient’s autonomy and dignity. The core mission for palliative care teams, hospice directors, and clinical leads is to ensure that every individual’s journey is guided by their own values, beliefs, and preferences. Advance Care Planning (ACP) is the structured process that makes this possible, providing a clear, compassionate roadmap for care when patients can no longer speak for themselves.

Defining Advance Care Planning and Its Essential Components

Advance Care Planning is more than a single document—it is an ongoing conversation and a set of written instructions that capture a person’s healthcare wishes. The key components include the Advance Care Directive, which outlines specific medical interventions a person does or does not want, and the nomination of a Medical Decision Maker who can act on their behalf. ACP also encompasses broader care wishes—from preferred place of care to spiritual needs and the presence of loved ones at the bedside.

Guiding Clinical Staff and Medical Decision Makers

When care wishes are clearly documented, they become the guiding light for clinical staff and medical decision makers. In moments of crisis or uncertainty, these documents remove ambiguity, ensuring that every action aligns with the patient’s values. This clarity is not only a legal safeguard but a deeply compassionate act, sparing families and staff the distress of guesswork or disagreement.

The Importance of Detailing Place of Care, Spiritual Needs, and Presence of Loved Ones

Authentic care honours the whole person, not just their medical needs. Documenting preferences such as the desired place of care—whether at home, in a hospice, or hospital—ensures the environment reflects what matters most to the patient. Spiritual needs, rituals, and the presence of specific loved ones can be detailed, allowing care teams to create a space of comfort and meaning. These details, often overlooked, are vital in providing a death that is peaceful and aligned with the patient’s identity.

Real-World Impact: Avoiding Conflict Through Clear ACP

Consider a scenario where a patient’s Advance Care Directive and care wishes were stored in the Evaheld Legacy Vault. When the patient’s health declined rapidly, the clinical team accessed their documented preferences: a wish to remain at home, specific music to be played, and a request for their daughter to be present. Because these wishes were clear and accessible, the team acted confidently, and the family was united in support. This avoided the distress and conflict that often arise when wishes are unknown or unclear.

The Iterative Nature of Advance Care Planning

ACP is not a one-time event. As health circumstances change, so too may a person’s wishes. The Evaheld Legacy Vault supports this iterative process, allowing patients and families to update their healthcare wishes as needed. Automatic notifications ensure that all relevant parties are informed, maintaining the integrity and relevance of the care plan throughout the disease journey.

Peace of Mind for Patients and Families

Ultimately, documented Advance Care Planning offers profound peace of mind for patients and families alike. Knowing that care wishes are recorded, respected, and accessible through a secure platform like the Evaheld Legacy Vault lifts a significant emotional burden. It transforms end-of-life care from a place of uncertainty to one of clarity, compassion, and deep respect for the individual.

Relieving Family Stress and Supporting Clinical Teams Through Documentation

At the heart of palliative and end-of-life care lies a profound commitment: to honour each patient’s autonomy and ensure their final days reflect their values, beliefs, and wishes. Yet, when these wishes are not clearly documented, families and clinical teams are often left navigating uncertainty, which can lead to distress, conflict, and ethical dilemmas. The Evaheld Legacy Vault stands as a transformative solution, providing a secure, accessible, and compassionate way to capture and share care wishes—offering peace of mind to families and vital guidance to clinical teams.

Common Challenges When Wishes Are Unknown

Families facing the impending loss of a loved one are often overwhelmed by emotion and the weight of decision-making. When a patient’s care wishes are not documented, loved ones may struggle to agree on what their relative would have wanted. This uncertainty can lead to:

Family Stress: Disagreements between relatives about care decisions, such as place of care or life-sustaining treatments.
Conflict: Tension and guilt if family members feel they are not honouring the patient’s true preferences.
Delays: Hesitation in decision-making, which can impact timely care and comfort.

How Documented Care Plans Reduce Guesswork and Conflict

Advance care planning (ACP) and the clear documentation of end-of-life wishes are proven to reduce family stress and conflict. When a patient’s preferences are recorded—whether it’s their desired place of care, spiritual needs, or who they want by their side—families are freed from the burden of guesswork. The Evaheld Legacy Vault serves as a sacred vessel for these wishes, ensuring they are preserved and accessible when needed most.

Through Evaheld, patients can go beyond medical directives. They might leave letters to loved ones, specify music for their final moments, or detail cultural rituals that bring comfort. These personal touches provide families with reassurance that every detail, no matter how small, has been considered and respected.

Impact on Clinical Teams: Clarity, Legal Protection, and Emotional Support

For clinical teams, clear documentation is not just a procedural necessity—it is a cornerstone of compassionate, person-centred care. When care wishes are readily available, clinicians experience:

Clarity: Immediate understanding of the patient’s values and preferences, guiding care decisions with confidence.
Legal Protection: Documentation provides a record of consent and intent, reducing the risk of disputes or legal challenges.
Emotional Support: The assurance that they are upholding the patient’s wishes, which is especially important in ethically complex situations.

Illustrative Scenario: Easing Family Grief Through Documentation

Consider a scenario where a patient’s wishes are stored in the Evaheld Legacy Vault. When the patient becomes unable to communicate, the family accesses the Vault and finds a heartfelt letter, a list of preferred visitors, and instructions for a favourite song to be played. The family, though grieving, is comforted by the clarity and personal touches. The clinical team, too, is able to act swiftly and respectfully, confident that every action aligns with the patient’s values. This shared understanding removes uncertainty and fosters a sense of unity and peace.

Emergency QR Access Cards: Quick, Informed Responses

Evaheld’s Emergency QR Access Card is an innovative tool that bridges the gap between documentation and action. In urgent situations, first responders and clinicians can instantly view a patient’s care wishes, medical decision maker, and critical information. This technology ensures that even in emergencies, patient autonomy is respected and families are spared from making rushed decisions under stress.

Thousands have chosen Evaheld to organise their stories, care plans, and legacy items, providing peace of mind to families and clinical teams alike. By capturing both the practical and deeply personal aspects of care wishes, Evaheld transforms documentation into an act of compassion and respect.

Evaheld Legacy Vault: A Sacred Vessel for Final Wishes

At the heart of authentic, compassionate end-of-life care lies a profound commitment: to honour each patient’s autonomy and ensure their final moments reflect their deepest values and wishes. The Evaheld Legacy Vault stands as a sacred vessel for these final wishes, offering far more than traditional document storage. It is a personal legacy hub, designed to capture, preserve, and share the full spectrum of a person’s life, values, and care preferences—ensuring their voice is heard, even when they can no longer speak for themselves.

Beyond Documents: A Multifaceted Legacy Hub

While advance care planning (ACP) documents and directives are essential, the Evaheld Legacy Vault recognises that a person’s legacy is much richer. Patients can securely store not only their medical wishes but also letters to loved ones, favourite music, cherished memories, and specific requests about who they wish to have by their side in their final days. This comprehensive approach to legacy preservation ensures that every aspect of a person’s identity and values is honoured.

Legacy Messages: Leave heartfelt letters and video messages for family and friends.
Personal Touches: Specify music, readings, or rituals that bring comfort and meaning.
Care Preferences: Clearly document preferred place of care, spiritual needs, and who should be present.

Secure, Lifetime Access and Family Collaboration

The Evaheld Legacy Vault provides secure, lifetime digital storage, ensuring that these precious wishes and memories are never lost. Families and care teams can access the vault at any time, removing uncertainty and conflict during emotionally charged moments. The platform’s shared rooms feature allows loved ones to collaborate, contribute stories, and support each other, fostering a sense of unity and shared purpose.

AI Legacy Assistant Charli: Capturing and Refining Memories

A unique feature of Evaheld is its integration of AI Legacy Assistant Charli. Charli guides users through the process of capturing meaningful stories, refining legacy messages, and ensuring that nothing is overlooked. This gentle, intuitive support helps patients articulate their wishes and memories in their own words, creating a digital legacy that is both authentic and deeply personal.

Anecdote: Comfort in Legacy Videos and Messages

“After Mum passed, we gathered as a family and opened her Evaheld Legacy Vault. Hearing her voice in the videos, reading her letters, and seeing the music she chose for her farewell brought us immense comfort. There was no confusion about her wishes—everything was there, clear and heartfelt. It helped us grieve, but also to celebrate her life exactly as she wanted.”

Supporting Person-Centred Care and Emotional Healing

For palliative care service managers, clinical leads, and hospice directors, the Evaheld Legacy Vault is a powerful tool for person-centred care. By making final wishes accessible and actionable, it relieves families and clinical staff from the burden of guesswork and potential conflict. The platform’s commitment to advance care planning and legacy preservation provides peace of mind, allowing everyone involved to focus on what matters most—honouring the patient’s life and supporting emotional healing.

Thousands have chosen Evaheld for organising stories, care plans, and providing peace of mind to loved ones. The Vault’s secure, accessible digital storage and collaborative features ensure that every legacy is preserved with dignity, compassion, and respect.

Practical Steps for Service Managers to Ensure Wishes Are Captured

Honouring patient autonomy is the heart of palliative care. For service managers, the responsibility to ensure every patient’s wishes are known, respected, and accessible is both a profound duty and a privilege. The Evaheld Legacy Vault stands as a sacred vessel for these wishes—going beyond clinical documentation to preserve the deeply personal aspects of a patient’s end-of-life journey. Implementing practical steps to embed this tool into everyday practice is essential for authentic, compassionate care planning.

Integrate Evaheld Legacy Vault into Palliative Care Workflows

The first step is to formally integrate the Evaheld Legacy Vault into all care planning processes. This means making it a standard part of the Advance Care Planning (ACP) pathway, so that every patient is offered the opportunity to record their wishes, preferences, and legacy messages. Service managers should update policies and procedures to reflect the use of the Vault as the primary repository for end-of-life wishes, including details such as preferred place of care, spiritual needs, and who the patient wants present at the bedside.

Staff Training on Documenting and Updating Care Wishes

Comprehensive staff training is vital. Clinical leads and frontline staff must understand the importance of not just documenting, but also regularly updating, patient wishes. Training should cover how to sensitively introduce the Evaheld Legacy Vault to patients and families, how to assist with uploading letters, music choices, or other personal requests, and how to ensure that all information is kept current as circumstances change. This empowers staff to support patient autonomy and ensures that care is always aligned with the patient’s values.

Protocols for Family Discussions and Legacy Message Support

Effective Advance Care Planning relies on open, ongoing conversations. Service managers should establish clear protocols for facilitating family meetings and supporting patients in leaving legacy messages. This includes providing guidance on how to approach difficult topics, encouraging patients to express their wishes in their own words, and offering technical support for using the Evaheld platform. By making these discussions routine, services can help reduce uncertainty and conflict for families during emotionally challenging times.

Emergency QR Access Cards for Real-Time Information Retrieval

In urgent situations, rapid access to a patient’s documented wishes is crucial. Distributing emergency QR access cards linked to the Evaheld Legacy Vault ensures that clinical teams can instantly retrieve vital information—such as the patient’s chosen Medical Decision Maker, resuscitation preferences, or specific comfort measures. Service managers should advocate for the routine issue of these cards and ensure all staff are trained in their use, safeguarding patient autonomy even in high-pressure scenarios.

Collaboration Between Medical Decision Makers, Patients, and Families

Person-centred care is best achieved through active collaboration. Service managers must foster a culture where Medical Decision Makers, patients, and families are all engaged in the care planning process. The Evaheld Legacy Vault facilitates this by providing a secure, central platform where everyone can access and contribute to the patient’s wishes. Regular interdisciplinary meetings and shared access protocols help ensure that everyone is informed and aligned, minimising the risk of misunderstandings or disputes.

Continuous Review and Embracing Technology in Care Planning

Advance Care Planning is not a one-time event—it is an ongoing process. Service managers should schedule regular reviews of each patient’s wishes, using the Evaheld Legacy Vault’s features to prompt updates as needed. Embracing technology in this way not only improves the accuracy and accessibility of information but also demonstrates a commitment to innovation in patient-centred care. Continuous improvement ensures that the service remains responsive to the evolving needs and values of those in its care.

Implementation and staff training are vital for effective Advance Care Planning.
Emergency QR cards increase real-time access to patient wishes, supporting rapid, informed decisions.
Interdisciplinary collaboration ensures that care is truly person-centred and honours the patient’s legacy.

Fostering Peace of Mind Through Legacy and Care Wishes

At the heart of compassionate end-of-life care lies a profound commitment to patient autonomy. The ability for individuals to have their healthcare wishes honoured, even when they can no longer speak for themselves, is not only a matter of dignity but also the foundation of person-centred care. The Evaheld Legacy Vault stands as a sacred vessel for these wishes, offering a secure and accessible platform for patients to record their Advance Care Directive, legacy messages, and personal preferences. This approach transforms the experience of end-of-life care for patients, families, and clinical teams alike.

Emotional and Psychological Benefits for Patients

Knowing that their wishes are clearly documented brings patients an immeasurable sense of peace of mind. The process of articulating preferences—such as preferred place of care, spiritual needs, or who they wish to have present—empowers individuals to maintain control over their journey. This clarity alleviates anxiety about the unknown and reassures patients that their values and beliefs will be respected, even in their most vulnerable moments. The act of recording legacy messages, letters, or even favourite music selections within the Evaheld Legacy Vault allows patients to leave a lasting imprint, supporting emotional healing and a sense of closure.

Confidence and Reduced Anxiety for Families

For families, the period surrounding end-of-life care is often marked by uncertainty and emotional strain. The presence of a comprehensive, accessible record of healthcare wishes and legacy messages provides clarity and direction at a time when decisions can feel overwhelming. Families gain confidence knowing they are acting in accordance with their loved one’s true intentions, which significantly reduces anxiety and the risk of conflict. Research consistently shows that advance care planning lessens family stress by removing ambiguity and preventing disagreements about care decisions.

Smoother Clinical Decisions and Less Conflict

For palliative care teams, access to a patient’s documented wishes is invaluable. It removes the guesswork from clinical decision-making, ensuring that care aligns with the patient’s values and previously expressed preferences. This not only streamlines the delivery of care but also minimises the potential for disputes between family members and clinicians. The Evaheld Legacy Vault serves as a single source of truth, guiding teams to deliver truly person-centred care and upholding the patient’s autonomy at every stage.

Legacy Messages: Healing Beyond Death

The impact of legacy messages extends far beyond the moment of passing. Letters, voice recordings, and personal reflections preserved within the Evaheld Legacy Vault become cherished keepsakes for families, offering comfort and connection during the grieving process. These messages can help families process their loss, celebrate the life lived, and honour cultural or spiritual traditions that are meaningful to the patient and their community.

Preserving Voice, Memories, and Cultural Details Through Technology

Modern technology, as embodied by the Evaheld Legacy Vault, enables the preservation of not just wishes, but also the unique voice, stories, and cultural heritage of each individual. Patients can record messages in their own words, share memories, and specify rituals or customs that are important to them. This attention to detail ensures that care is not only clinically appropriate but also culturally sensitive and deeply personal.

Normalising End-of-Life Conversations for Better Outcomes

Fostering open, honest conversations about end-of-life wishes should be a standard part of care. By normalising these discussions and providing tools like the Evaheld Legacy Vault, services can enhance patient-centred outcomes, reduce emotional burden, and create a legacy of peace for patients and their loved ones. Thousands have chosen Evaheld for the reassurance it brings, knowing their voice will be heard and their legacy preserved.

When Wishes are Lost: A Hypothetical Reflection

Imagine a scenario that unfolds all too often in palliative care settings: a patient reaches the final stages of life, but there is no Advance Care Directive, no clear documentation of their care wishes, and no record of who they want present or what brings them comfort. In this moment, the core mission of end-of-life care—to honour patient autonomy and ensure a death aligned with their values—becomes deeply compromised.

Without documented wishes, families are left to interpret what their loved one might have wanted. The absence of clear guidance can lead to confusion, disagreements, and heartache. One family member may believe the patient wanted every possible intervention, while another recalls a conversation about wanting a peaceful, natural passing at home. Clinical staff, caught between differing opinions and lacking a definitive Advance Care Directive, are forced to make difficult decisions without the certainty that they are respecting the patient’s true preferences. This uncertainty can result in care that may not align with the patient’s values, undermining their autonomy at the most critical moment.

The emotional toll on families in these situations is profound. The stress of making life-defining decisions without clear direction can lead to lasting guilt, regret, and even conflict between loved ones. Research consistently shows that advance care planning and documented care wishes significantly reduce family stress by removing the burden of guesswork and potential misunderstandings. When wishes are lost, the opportunity for meaningful, compassionate end-of-life care is diminished, replaced by anxiety and, at times, fractured relationships.

Legal and ethical complications can also arise in the absence of clear documentation. Without an Advance Care Directive or other formal record, healthcare providers may be required to follow standard protocols or seek legal guidance, delaying care and potentially contravening the patient’s unspoken wishes. This not only places additional strain on clinical staff but can also expose services to ethical dilemmas and reputational risk.

Contrast this with a scenario where the patient’s wishes have been carefully documented and stored in the Evaheld Legacy Vault. Here, the patient’s autonomy is preserved in a sacred vessel—more than just a document store, but a secure, accessible platform where every detail of their end-of-life preferences is captured. Whether it is the choice of music, the presence of specific loved ones, or deeply held spiritual needs, the Evaheld platform ensures these wishes are available to both families and care teams when they are needed most. This clarity provides immense relief and guidance, transforming a time of uncertainty into one of shared understanding and peace.

Proactive advance care planning, supported by tools like the Evaheld Legacy Vault, is the ultimate act of person-centred care. It empowers patients to articulate their values, relieves families of the burden of decision-making, and guides clinical staff in delivering care that is both compassionate and compliant with legal and ethical standards. For service managers, clinical leads, and hospice directors, championing the integration of advance care planning tools is not just a best practice—it is a profound commitment to the dignity and autonomy of every patient.

Let us not wait for wishes to be lost. By embedding advance care planning and the Evaheld Legacy Vault into the heart of our services, we honour the lives and legacies of those we serve, ensuring that every patient’s final journey is guided by their own voice, values, and vision.

Future-Proof Your Family’s Story with the Evaheld Legacy Vault

Imagine a single, permanent home for your life's most precious layers: the laughter in your stories, the wisdom in your wishes, and the clarity of your care plans. The Evaheld Legacy Vault is that home—a guaranteed sanctuary for your legacy, designed to outlive the digital noise and ensure your voice is heard for generations.

This is more than storage; it's the one account your family will thank you for creating.

Take control of what matters most — set up your free Evaheld Legacy Vault to keep your stories, care wishes, and essential documents safe, organised, and instantly shareable with loved ones and advisers, for life.

Get Your Vault Running in Minutes with Charli, Your AI Legacy Preservation Assistant

Stop feeling overwhelmed. Charli is your proactive guide who simplifies every step—from setting up your vault and inviting family members to sending smart content requests and helping you articulate your stories. She doesn't just help you write; she helps you build, ensuring your entire legacy is preserved efficiently and authentically.

Your All-in-One Legacy Solution

Preserve a Rich, Living History: Build a first-person narrative with video messages, audio recordings, legacy letters, and recipes—a digital heirloom where your wisdom and memories are kept safe and searchable.
Co-Create in Family Rooms: Spark conversations and gather memories together in shared, collaborative spaces. It’s a living scrapbook that grows with every contribution from your family.
Simplify Every Step with Charli, Your AI Legacy Preservation Assistant: From onboarding and inviting family to sending content requests and articulating your stories, Charli provides proactive guidance throughout your entire legacy-building journey—ensuring nothing is forgotten while keeping the process effortless.
Honour Your Care Wishes: Complete your legally valid Digital Advance Care Directive with our intuitive tool. Grant loved ones and clinicians instant, secure access, ending frantic document searches for good.
Grant Emergency Access in Seconds: Share or print your unique QR Emergency Access Card. A single scan gives first responders immediate access to your directives, enabling faster, better-aligned care when every second counts.
Safeguard Every Essential Document: Consolidate your will, power of attorney, superannuation details, and more in one bank-grade encrypted vault. Your family will always find what they need, securely.

How to Secure Your Legacy in Minutes

Start Your Free Vault: Claim your personal, secure space in under a minute. No cost, no commitment.
Add Your People & Open Rooms: Invite family to shared Rooms to begin co-creating your story and sending content requests.
Build Your Legacy: Use your built-in AI assistant to help capture memories and refine your messages. Upload documents and record your care wishes. Your voice, preserved forever.

Why Thousands Are Choosing Evaheld

By starting your free Evaheld Legacy Vault, you gain:

A Living Time Capsule — preserve your family’s identity, values, and care choices in one lasting digital home.
With Charli, Your AI Assistant, Preserving Your Story is Effortless
Ease & Organisation — everything important, easily shared and always up to date.
Peace of Mind for All Generations — loved ones know exactly what you wish, and where to find it.
Free to Begin, Forever to Keep — create your vault now and secure lifetime access

Watch our Cofounder's Story to learn why we’re so passionate about Legacy Preservation and Advance Care Planning

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Building your Evaheld Legacy Vault takes minutes — and protects your stories, care plans, and family legacy for generations. Give your loved ones the greatest gift of all: peace of mind that never expires.

TL;DR: Honouring documented patient wishes is essential in end-of-life care. Evaheld Legacy Vault acts as a secure, sacred repository facilitating authentic, person-centred planning that supports patients, families, and care teams alike.

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