Retail
Subscription
to Advertise
  • ISSUES
    • 2006 to 2009
      • 2006
        • January 2006
        • February 2006
        • March 2006
        • April 2006
        • May 2006
        • June 2006
        • July 2006
        • August 2006
        • September 2006
        • October 2006
        • November 2006
        • December 2006
      • 2007
        • January 2007
        • February 2007
        • March 2007
        • April 2007
        • May 2007
        • June 2007
        • July 2007
        • August 2007
        • September 2007
        • October 2007
        • November 2007
        • December 2007
      • 2008
        • January 2008
        • February 2008
        • March 2008
        • April 2008
        • May 2008
        • June 2008
        • July 2008
        • August 2008
        • September 2008
        • October 2008
        • November 2008
        • December 2008
      • 2009
        • January 2009
        • February 2009
        • March 2009
        • April 2009
        • May 2009
        • June 2009
        • July 2009
        • August 2009
        • September 2009
        • October 2009
        • November 2009
        • December 2009
    • 2010 to 2019
      • 2010
        • January 2010
        • February 2010
        • March 2010
        • April 2010
        • May 2010
        • June 2010
        • July 2010
        • August 2010
        • September 2010
        • October 2010
        • November 2010
        • December 2010
      • 2011
        • January 2011
        • February 2011
        • March 2011
        • April 2011
        • May 2011
        • June 2011
        • July 2011
        • August 2011
        • September 2011
        • October 2011
        • November 2011
        • December 2011
      • 2012
        • April 2013
        • June 2012
        • July 2012
        • September 2012
      • 2013
        • January 2013
        • February 2013
        • March 2013
        • April 2013
        • May 2013
        • June 2013
        • July 2013
        • August 2013
        • November 2013
        • December 2013
      • 2014
        • January 2014
        • February 2014
        • March 2014
        • April 2014
        • May 2014
        • June 2014
        • July 2014
        • August 2014
        • September 2014
        • October 2014
        • November 2014
        • December 2014
      • 2015
        • January 2015
        • February 2015
        • March 2015
        • April 2015
        • May 2015
        • June 2015
        • July 2015
        • August 2015
        • September 2015
        • October 2015
        • November 2015
        • December 2015
      • 2016
        • January 2016
        • February 2016
        • March 2016
        • April 2016
        • May 2016
        • June 2016
        • July 2016
        • August 2016
        • October 2016
        • November 2016
        • December 2016
      • 2017
        • January 2017
        • February 2017
        • March 2017
        • April 2017
        • May 2017
        • June 2017
        • July 2017
        • August 2017
        • September 2017
        • October 2017
        • November 2017
        • December 2017
      • 2018
        • January 2018
        • February 2018
        • March 2018
        • April 2018
        • May 2018
        • June 2018
        • July 2018
        • August 2018
        • September 2018
        • October 2018
        • November 2018
        • December 2018
      • 2019
        • January 2019
        • February 2019
        • March 2019
        • April 2019
        • May 2019
        • June 2019
        • July 2019
        • August 2019
        • September 2019
        • October 2019
        • November 2019
        • December 2019
    • 2020 to 2023
      • 2020
        • January 2020
        • February 2020
        • March 2020
        • April 2020
        • May 2020
        • June 2020
        • July 2020
        • August 2020
        • September 2020
        • October 2020
        • November 2020
        • December 2020
      • 2021
        • January 2021
        • February 2021
        • March 2021
        • April 2021
        • May 2021
        • June 2021
        • July 2021
        • August 2021
        • September 2021
        • October 2021
        • November 2021
        • December 2021
      • 2022
        • January 2022
        • June 2022
        • February 2022
        • July 2022
        • March 2022
        • April 2022
        • August 2022
        • May 2022
        • September 2022
        • October 2022
        • November 2022
        • December 2022
      • 2023
        • January 2023
        • February 2023
        • March 2023
        • April 2023
        • May 2023
  • FOR DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTION
  • BT AWARDS
    • BT Top 40 2021 – 2022
  • ABOUT US
No Result
View All Result
Business Today
No Result
View All Result

Embracing Life

0 0
0

The Sri Lanka Cancer Society was founded in 1948 and has since, for almost 63 years, been continuously providing services to those who are suffering from cancer, and their families, thereby being of immense benefit to the entire society. With the aim of creating awareness and sensitising the community, as very early detection of the illness in most instances will lead to cure, President of the Sri Lanka Cancer Society Justice Shiranee Tilakawardane spoke to Business Today about the services and facilities provided by the organisation, the role it plays in the greater community and the future plans of the Sri Lanka Cancer Society as it moves forward.

By Udeshi Amarasinghe | Photography by Mahesh Prasantha


The main objectives of the Sri Lanka Cancer Society are to assist, advice and provide relief to cancer patients and their loved ones. Educating the public also makes up a large part of the Society’s activities, and awareness projects about cancer, its early detection and timely treatment are conducted regularly through the public education unit in different parts of the Island. The Society also places great importance on establishing and maintaining institutions dedicated to care for people living with cancer.


Elaborating on the functions of the Society, its President, Justice Shiranee Tilakawardane said, “The Cancer Society has built and maintains a cancer home for 85 patients in Maharagama, which provides nourishment to indoor and outdoor cancer patients, who are treated at the cancer hospital. It also assists needy patients with travel grants after treatment and pays a monthly grant to 120 outdoor patients. The Society operates a canteen at the Maharagama cancer hospital for patients and their visitors. Shantha Sevana, the hospice established at Maharagama by the Society takes care of 34 patients who are terminally ill with cancer. Poly clinics are conducted once a month to screen patients for all types of cancers.” What is most significant is that the Sri Lanka Cancer Society provides all these services free of charge, and mostly through volunteers, thereby ensuring that the neediest segments of the community have access to the best treatment. The Society not only fulfills predefined needs but when something is identified that is of utmost importance either to the patient or their families the Society does not hesitate to step in. As Justice Tilakawardane explained, “It came to our attention many years ago that the cancer patients themselves had to buy boiling water for their needs from the canteen, at the Maharagama Cancer Hospital. This is a basic essential need. Many patients who are treated at this hospital are poor and they come from far away places. Therefore we identified this need, stepped in with permission from the authorities and took the responsibility of managing the canteen,” she further added, “the people who work for us are volunteers, and those on our committees never even think of requesting a salary from the society for their services.” The Sri Lanka Cancer Society network extends to branches around the country in Colombo, Kandy, Galle, Moratuwa, Anuradhapura and Batticaloa. The success of the Society is due to the dedication of its Executive Committee, its volunteers and perseverance of the people who work in its branches.

“A Major Problem In Sri Lanka Is The Social Stigma Associated With Cancer, Which Has Resulted As A Bar To Persons Seeking Treatment Even When They Know That They May Be Having The Illness.”

Having experienced the ramifications of the disease due to personal loss of her mother, Justice Tilakawardane stressed the need of educating the public on the importance of early detection of cancer. “Today we know that ovarian cancer, breast cancer, and prostrate cancer to name a few can be cured almost 100 percent if it is detected very early”, said Justice Tilakawardane. As such the Sri Lanka Cancer Society conducts programmes that include discussions, films, exhibitions, radio and television programmes, provision of awareness literature and talks even by cancer survivors themselves, who speak positively about management of the disease, in order to bring sensitisation, awareness and to identify the symptoms so that they can seek early treatment. “To detect breast cancer, we have the mammogram, which can detect it very early. Today for prostrate cancer there is the man-o-gram, but this machine is not available in Sri Lanka. Therefore we hope donors will assist to bring this machine to Sri Lanka while keeping in mind that maintenance costs will also be required. Our services are always on the basis of long term sustainability.” said Justice Tilakawardane.


A major problem in Sri Lanka is the social stigma associated with cancer, which has resulted as a bar to persons seeking treatment even when they know that they may be having the illness. “In Sri Lanka we hear people who are diagnosed negative for cancer saying api pau karayo nemei, implying that it is only those who have sinned that get affected by cancer. But it is not the patients who are the sinners but those who contribute to the causes of cancer, who pollute the environment, adulterate food and destroy life and nature out of ignorance or for short term financial gains.” Elaborating further, she said that dispelling stigma will encourage individuals to get them tested for cancer, and thereby they stand a better chance of being cured. “A village woman or a man – when they feel that lump they will think, ‘now I wont get stigmatised’ and will come out and say, ‘I have a lump, I need to get it attended to. This will lead to early detection. It is about bringing about an attitudinal change, and creating a new paradigm. Therefore the Society aims to create a mindset and attitudinal change through education. Future plans include our personal visits on awareness programmes beginning with Kuliyapitiya and Batticaloa hospital. The message is, cancer is just another disease – do not stigmatise it and further marginalise those who suffer from it.”

“A Significant Message That The Walk Promoted Was The Fact That Cancer Is A Curable Disease, Provided It Is Detected And Treated Early…A Strong Force Of Hope And Love That United Us And Bonded Us Together In A Cause That Is So Important To Us And Our Future Generations.”

Cancer does not affect only the patient but also their families and loved ones. Therefore the Sri Lanka Cancer Society also focuses on providing counseling and support to the families and loved ones of cancer patients. Educating them too is essential as their support is required for early detection as well as recovery of the cancer patient.


Periodically, fund raising events are held to support the projects implemented by the Society and the first ever walk and carnival was one of these events. “Those who participated gave enthusiastically even their talents and worked with singular dedication. To be part of it was an awe inspiring experience.” said Justice Tilakawardane. “I was also amazed by the multifaceted talents and the awesome commitment and integrity of my Committee. I couldn’t believe I had such a talented set of people in this country and I was privileged to have worked with them in my Walk for Cancer organising committee. Not only did they give their talents, they gave themselves, focused completely and tirelessly to the cause.” Justice Tilakawardane attributes the recent success of the walk and parade organised by the Sri Lanka Cancer Society to its dedicated Committee, especially the determination of the Chairperson, E P Mannakkara, Perin Captain, Ramani Fernando, Haadia Galely, Priya Cabraal, Tony Ange, Asgi Akberally, Neela Marrikar, Sarath Piyaratne, DIG Asoka Wijetilleke, Commodore Bandara, Siraj Cader, Shobi Perera , Mano Alles, Ameena Mustapha, Veena Jayasundera and Arlene Saparamadu, to name a few of them. Even the World Health Organisation through Dr Mehta came on board in the end. The carnival atmosphere of the walk accomplished exactly what the procession set out to do – it celebrated life- even if you have cancer. Proceeding along C W W Kannangara Mawatha, Dharmapala Mawatha, Marcus Fernando Mawatha and ending up at Green Path, the Walk drew attention to the importance of early detection and timely treatment.


In addition to creating awareness about cancer, the Society planned the Walk to educate the public of its functions as well as the ways in which individuals can extend their help.


A significant message that the Walk promoted was the fact that cancer is a curable disease, provided it is detected and treated early. The participation of many people, who had battled against cancer and survived, was evidence of this fact. “We wanted more awareness as to what early detection could do. We wanted to sensitise and give awareness to the community of people that we live in. And we wanted to celebrate survival; we wanted to say we do survive cancer and we celebrate their lives. Cancer is not a sentence, it is just a word, and life is about living- even with cancer,” said Justice Tilakawardane. The walk also focused on informing people that there was no reason to attach any kind of stigma against people living with cancer. “Our group was about getting together, in unity, to protest against the branding, the marginalising, the stigmatisation of those who have cancer and to promote and accept cancer like any other illness. We want individuals to be heard, and cared for, not live in fear,” professed Justice Tilakawardane.


The walk culminated in a street parade at which Sri Lanka’s most prominent artists, musicians and dancers lent their talents to further enhance the important messages and celebratory atmosphere of the walk. Speaking about the success of the walk and the parade Justice Tilakawardane said, “It was as though everything that was positive, generous and kind about our people came together to create a special moment, when our hope and belief in humankind was reaffirmed. A strong force of hope and love that united us and bonded us together in a cause that is so important to us and our future generations.”

TweetShareShare

Business Today May 2023

Business Today

  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions

© 2023 BT Options. All Rights Reserved

No Result
View All Result
  • ISSUES
    • 2006 to 2009
      • 2006
      • 2007
      • 2008
      • 2009
    • 2010 to 2019
      • 2010
      • 2011
      • 2012
      • 2013
      • 2014
      • 2015
      • 2016
      • 2017
      • 2018
      • 2019
    • 2020 to 2023
      • 2020
      • 2021
      • 2022
      • 2023
  • FOR DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTION
  • BT AWARDS
    • BT Top 40 2021 – 2022
  • ABOUT US

© 2023 BT Options. All Rights Reserved

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In