Suwa Arana - “A Place for Healing” by Indira Cancer Trust - current ongoing project
Cancer is one of four diseases that causes approximately 65% of all deaths in Sri Lanka. Although the pediatric cancer cases in Sri Lanka 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 pediatric cancer management facility available in Sri Lanka.
The annual new patient load at Apeksha Hospital, Maharagama is around 650, while outpatient 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 pediatric 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.
Suwa Arana - A place for healing, will be a care center for pediatric cancer patients and their families unlike any other facility in Sri Lanka. This will be a center for special end of life care for children, where the whole family can be together during this exceedingly difficult time. In addition to palliative care, Suwa Arana also offers housing for families that travel from all over the island to find treatment for their cancer-stricken children at the Apeksha Hospital, Maharagama. Suwa Arana is located walking distance from Apeksha Hospital and will provide room and board for the child and their family while treatment is in progress, which can take weeks or months, without the added burden of incurring the cost of accommodation and food.
The 6-floor building will have a reception, dining room with patio providing home cooked meals, play area, launderette and a roof top garden where a range of activities will be conducted. Each floor allocated to patient care will have 8 family en suite rooms. There will also be a single floor dedicated to all the operations of Indira Cancer Trust so that walk-in patients, both adult and pediatric, can also be supported through the many other services offered by ICT.
For over 17 years, the mission of SLMANA West has been to bring together professionals and students living in the United States and Canada for charitable and humanitarian purposes which shall include the prevention of diseases, care and treatment of the sick, injured, afflicted, infirm, disabled, or destitute persons.
Pediatric Cancer in Sri Lanka
This project is providing not only accommodation but will initiate Sri Lanka’s first Palliative Care Centre for children.
This year ICT and SLMANA West are joining forces to build the first Pediatric Palliative Care Centre in Sri Lanka, Suwa Arana, ‘A Place for Healing’ - which will also provide housing for pediatric cancer patients and their families whilst undergoing treatment. This is made possible by the very generous donation from SLMANA members in the USA, because of their humanitarian concern for lack of pediatric palliative care facilities in Sri Lanka. Indira Cancer Trust (ICT) has become a beacon of hope for cancer patients and their families in Sri Lanka. Initiated in 2016, following the tragic death caused by breast cancer of a 40-year-old mother of two - Indira Jayasuriya, we are committed to supporting those that have been impacted by cancer. Our objectives at ICT are to support prevention, early detection, diagnosis, treatment and improving the quality of life for cancer patients. Over 20 different projects that support patients with all types of cancer are done by Indira Cancer Trust. All work is done in close collaboration with the Ministry of Health, Professional Colleges and the World Health Organization.
To make a tax-deductible donation: All donations can be made via
· Zelle through slmanawest@gmail.com
· On this website: www.slmanawest.org and go to Donate
· Mailing a Check made out to SLMANA West. and mail payment C/O M. Jayawardena, 2308 Schader Dr, 301, Santa Monica, CA 90404
Hope for Children- Fully Funded as of December 31st, 2018 - Project Completed!
After two successful years this project was fully funded in December of 2018 with $70,000. The money was raised at the “Night of Hope” Gala 2016. SLMANA-WR Inc., thanks The Lions International Club of Sri Lanka for their partnership.
The Lions International Club of Sri Lanka has served the community for 58 years, assisting in the treatment of many underprivileged children with life threatening illness. The National Cancer Institute of Maharagama Cancer Hospital is a University-affiliated center where children with malignancies varying from leukemia to malignant tumors are treated. The children range in age from infants to teenagers.
The children’s’ parents cannot afford the funds that are required for their treatment protocols. Many of these children also succumb to infections because the parents are unable to afford expensive antibiotics. Some of these children have had their limbs amputated due to complications from bone cancer. They are in need of prosthetic limbs, which cost more than the annual income of their families.
The Sri Lanka Medical Association North America–Western Region and the Lions International Club of Sri Lanka have joined to help these underprivileged children live cancer-free lives. The Lions Club is launching the “HOPE FOR CHILDREN” project, which will procure the required medication, prosthetic limbs, and other necessary equipment. These will be purchased directly and distributed through the Medical Director in charge of the children’s unit at The National Cancer Institute of Maharagama Cancer Hospital.
The Lions Club of Colombo is very thankful to the President, office bearers, and members of the Sri Lanka Medical Association – Western Region for pledging substantial financial support to carry out the project successfully. This project will not only help the children but also relieve their traumatized parents who can hardly afford their daily living, let alone purchase lifesaving drugs. In addition, young children whose limbs have been amputated would be able to receive adjustable artificial limbs, which will enable them to attend school and live normal lives.
The SLMANA-WR Inc’s Board of Directors and Committee members will coordinate and transfer financial assistance. Lion Lady Hiranya Jayalath will be the coordinator and liaison officer for the Lions Club of Colombo. We appeal to all kind-hearted and compassionate people to please help us make this worthy cause a success by donating towards this project that would help make cancer free lives for these children. Please join us in this humanitarian effort to realize the hopes, dreams and visions of healthy lives for the cancer-afflicted children through the “HOPE FOR CHILDREN” project.
From Darkness to Light: Funds for a Community Resource Center at the National Council for Mental Health - On Going project
As of May of 2019, SLMANA-WR Inc., has sent $25,000 US Dollars toward the development and projects of Shanaya Resource Center. They have another $52,000 available to use. The “Night of Hope” Gala 2016 raised $70,000 for this project. Since then we had two individuals that donated $5000 and $2000 toward this project. This is an On Going Project
A dire need exists to create greater sensitivity and awareness of mental illness in Sri Lankan society, and to enhance Sri Lanka’s capacity to respond more effectively to mental disorders so that optimal mental health can be recognized in the country. Stigma associated with mental illness is highly prevalent in Sri Lanka communities, causing those suffering from mental illness and their families to endure prejudice, discrimination, and harassment as well as limited care. Beliefs that ‘Spirits,’ ‘Gods and Devils,’ or ’Paying for past mistakes' illustrates ignorance. Mentally ill family members are often hidden due to shame and fear that it would affect not only the individual but the entire family's social status, the person's marriage prospects, and employment opportunities for them and other family members. They are often viewed as violent, teased, punished, or starved and considered a burden to their families. Families often do not seek healthcare as mental illnesses may not be considered a priority, which, of course, compounds these issues .
Approximately five to ten percent of the Sri Lanka population is thought to be suffering from mental illness requiring medical attention (Castillo 2009). Ten percent of all children between the ages of three and five and 25% of adults over the age of 65 are known to suffer from mental disorders. About 60,000 people suffer from schizophrenia at any given time. Annually, between 5,000 and 6,000 young people develop schizophrenia for the first time and about seventy percent of these cases are likely to develop into long term illnesses. Approximately 100,000 people suffer from manic depression, symptoms of which mostly appear before the age of 30. Also, 15% of the population is likely to develop depressive illness during their lifetime. As much as 20% of the population suffers from minor emotional problems that need care.
Sri Lanka has one of the highest suicide rates in the world (Hendin, et al 2008; Siva 2010), and contributing factors may include the 30-year civil war and the devastating 2004 tsunami. Mental health care in Sri Lanka is plagued by poor funding, scarcity of trained human resources, and reliance on tertiary care. There is only one psychiatrist per 500,000 people (Siva 2010) and there is no formal care system in place. There is a dearth of therapists and mental health social workers (ATLAS project, WHO 2001). There are three mental hospitals in the Colombo environs “Lunatic Asylums,” with a general air of squalor, despair, and prison-like gates to restrain patients. These factors play a part in the treatment of the very ill but most patients need rehabilitation and counseling rather than medication and isolation.
A community resource center at the National Council for Mental Health or NCMH also known as Sahanaya, a non-profit non-governmental organization, was established in 1982 and is a registered charity in Sri Lanka. Sahanaya is a unique and novel venture (and the first in Sri Lanka) and aims to increase much needed awareness of the prevalence, causes, stigma as well as effective treatment and care options that are available. The center will be an invaluable resource for the community at large to understand and appreciate mental illness better, and also for patients with mental illness and their families. This will be an essential adjunct to the care already available in Sri Lanka.
The 2016 SLMANA - Western Region fundraiser collected funds to lay the groundwork for a community resource center at NCMH. Suggested projects would include renovation of an existing auditorium and the purchase of equipment for this center. NCMH staff will direct and oversee the project, gather and create material for display, and advertise and promote the project in order to create public interest and awareness. The fundraiser also raised additional funds for completing and sustaining the project. The imagined space would include an event and publications gallery, films, video clips, case studies, success stories and interesting facts for the public, including school children and law enforcement. One of the most important components and a major focus of this center will be a resource center where patients with mental illness and their families can gain access to the treatment and help they need.
WHEN TREATED PROPERLY, THE RESILIENCE OF THE HUMAN MIND AND BODY IS REMARKABLE. LET’S REMOVE THE STIGMA THAT AFFECTS THE MOST HELPLESS AND UNFORTUNATE SECTOR OF HUMANITY. LET’S LIGHT THIS CANDLE TO CHANGE IGNORANCE AND NON-ACCEPTANCE INTO UNDERSTANDING AND TOLERANCE.
Please take a moment to read about our Past Projects, too!