Indiracancertrust@gmail.com

Indira Cancer Trust was set up in 2016 after a fight of a young mother with beast cancer. Although she lost her battle and left two young children her story of courage , commitment and bravery has shaken the world and initiated Indira cancer Trust which has today grown into an organization conducting over 20 projects in support of patients and their families with Cancer through volunteer force of approximately 500. The main project we are focusing on and looking for funds is "Suwa Arana" Sri Lanka's first Paediatric Palliative Care Centre. This is an unmet and urgent need in Sri Lanka which is a middle income country. 

If elected the winner 100% of the funding secured will be utilized for this project which is not only unique but also a lead program that will showcase best practices in Paediatric palliative care with the countries best medical care , accommodation facilities, emotional, psychological support and a home away from home. This building will house 32 individual suits for families  with play areas, relaxation areas, roof top gardens to conduct recreational activities. All facilities to the children and families will be given free of charge.

I am a medical professional for the last  21 years with an undergraduate degree in medicine from UK and a postgraduate MBA in health care sciences.    I returned to Sri Lanka in 1989. My initial work started in the government sector as a medical officer , then joined the private sector and with the Tsunami in 2014 there was a career change and I headed the health department as Executive Director Health in the Sri Lanka Red Cross Society. After a period of nearly 5 years I was then offered  a job at the World Health Organisation as the National Professional Officer for Non Communicable Diseases, Road Traffic Injuries, Tobacco Free Initiative, Disability and Aging.

My time at WHO was suddenly cut short with the diagnosis of my Sister with end stage breast cancer and whilst she resided in UK I was with her for all treatment until she passed away on 2 November 2016 at the age of 40 years leaving behind two children aged 1 year and 5 years. She had a peaceful death amidst family in a UK hospital and this warranted our family to initiate Indira Cacer Trust which has now grown into a national movement.

Cancer is one of four diseases that causes approximately 65% of all deaths in Sri Lanka. Although the paediatric cancer cases here are rare, authorities admit that the numbers are growing. Apeksha Hospital Maharagama, which was established in 1958, is Sri Lanka’s premier institute for cancer treatment, as well as the only specialized paediatric cancer management facility available in Sri Lanka.The annual new patient load at Apeksha Hospital Maharagama is around 650, while out-patient clinics see around 100 a day. Leukemia is the most prevalent cancer in children below the age of 15 years. Out of all cancer patients in the age group of 0-14 years in Sri Lanka, 44% of males and 37.9% females are suffering from leukemia. There are approximately 150 patients warded at any one time at the Apeksha Hospital. One of the main difficulties that is being faced is the need for accommodation for the paediatric patients as the treatment regime tends to be long and intermittent, which doesn’t allow them to go home and return for treatment due to financial constraints and the child being unwell in the majority of instances.This project is providing  accommodation and  will initiate Sri Lanka’s first Palliative Care Centre for children.

This project aims to create a home away from home, which is filled with not only help, but also hope. Suwa Arana will serve as the first center for paediatric palliative care in Sri Lanka. In addition to this, it will provide active total care of the child’s body, mind and spirit, including multidisciplinary care for the child, as well as support for the family. The holistic care will begin when the illness is diagnosed and will continue regardless of whether or not a child receives the treatment directed at the disease.Families are stronger when they are together, which helps in the healing process. This concept is built on the idea that nothing else should matter when a family is focused on the health of their child—not where they can afford to stay, where they will get their next meal or where they will lay their head at night to rest. We believe that when a child is hospitalized, the love and support of family is as powerful as the strongest medicine prescribed. That is why Suwa Arana will, allow children to get the best care while allowing families to battle the illness together. The first in Sri Lanka

Humanity is defined as compassionate, sympathetic or generous behavior or disposition and Palliative care is specialized medical care  for people living with a serious illness, exactly doing that.  This type of care is focused on providing relief from the symptoms and stress of the illness. The goal is to improve quality of life for both the patient and the family.

Palliative care is provided by a specially-trained team of doctors, nurses and other specialists who work together with a patient’s other doctors to provide an extra layer of support. Palliative care is based on the needs of the patient, not on the patient’s prognosis. It is appropriate at any age and at any stage in a serious illness, and it can be provided along with curative treatment. This centre is committed on providing a family with comfort, with a sense of security and a warm disposition to help the child, the family members or any member of the family the strength to face such situations.

We  believe in never underestimating the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest complement, or the smallest act of caring, all of which will turn a life around.