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by Manjari Peiris

Cancer is one of the leading causes of death in Sri Lanka and also in the world. It is a disease that usually produces fear in people. Yet many types of cancer can be prevented or successfully treated if detected early enough.

Some causes of cancer such as cigarette smoking have been identified. Others have not. The National Academy of Sciences in USA, has indicated that diet may be involved in as many as 60% of all causes of cancer.

Some types of cancer have been associated with carcinogens, a substance that may exist in food.

One substance called sodium nitrate is used to preserve food and give it colour. When digested, sodium nitrate turns into a carcinogen called nitrosomine. Some pollutants in the air are carcinogens.

The term cancer does not apply to a single disease. Cancer is any number of diseases that result in abnormal cell growth.

Imran Khan, the world famous former cricket captain, politician, in Pakistan initiated to establish a cancer hospital in Pakistan in memory of his beloved mother who died of cancer.

Likewise, Mahela Jayawardena, a Sri Lankan cricketer has initiated to establish a cancer hospital - the HOPE Cancer Hospital in Sri Lanka on his personal experience.

Mr. Mahesh Pasquel, the Chairman of the HOPE Cancer Hospital project said that most of the cancers could be cured completely if detected early. "The action taken by our cricketers is timely; one in every ten deaths in Sri Lanka is due to cancer."

The very first idea of establishing this project had originated through Mahela Jayawardena's personal experience, having lost his younger brother Dhisal to a brain tumor six years ago. Since then Mahela has been working hard to improve the lives of other younger cancer victims.

Mahela had realized the amount of hardships that the cancer patients are undergoing and that the services and facilities at Maharagama Cancer Hospital are not adequate and not upto the standard when compared with the facilities available at cancer hospitals in other Asian countries.

Mahela who had determined to do some service to those who are suffering from cancer had expressed his desire to set up a cancer hospital with modern facilities and equipment to treat cancer patients at early stages and had spoken to the Sri Lankan Cricketers' Association and the Lion's Club of Colombo Somerset District 306B, an organization which belongs to the Lion's International. The Sri Lanka Cricketers Association includes both the current and retired players. Subsequently Mahela's request to consider this as a humanitarian project had been accepted. The Lion's Club of Somerset had agreed to join with the Sri Lanka Cricketers' Association and an MoU was subsequently signed. HOPE Cancer Hospital is a limited liability non-profit making company.

This matter had been discussed with Maharagama Cancer Hospital authorities and officers in the Ministry of Health and with the Minister. The total cost of the hospital will be Rs. 750 million. The project was officially launched in March this year by signing an MoU with the Government (the hospital authorities).

According to the MoU, HOPE undertook to construct the building, with modern equipment and hand over to the Ministry. The Ministry of Health adjoining the existing cancer hospital provided a land of 2 acres.

The completion of this project will be in two stages. In the first phase, the HOPE hospital will have a 450 bed general ward (hospital includes with children and others) alongwith an iodine ward and space for two radiotherapy machines.

In the second phase, there will be modern diagnostic facilities, treatment and ancillary facilities (includes surgical wards, a gynecological ward). The third phase will include a further 300 beds.

The task of fund raising will be in the hands of the Sri Lanka Cricketers' Association and the members of the Lion's Club.

Explaining the present situation of the project, Mr. Pasquel, "We get the collection from the general public and international donors. First we launched campaigns on March 23rd and received funds. In April in Sharjah and in England at cricket matches and in South Asia. "

HOPE project is planning to commence with side development work by the end of this year. "The first phase we expect to complete by end January 2003. Completion of the entire project is expected in 5 years duration", the Chairman stated.

Explaining the procedure of the management of the project he said; ''we are trying to minimize administrative expenditure as much as possible. Rs. 325,000/- has already been spent. All advertising matters we get done from the Associated Newspapers Ltd, free of charge."

Dilmah Company is bearing cost of developing posters. The project does not have "paid workers". The Chairman of the Project has provided even the office building. The members of the HOPE too meet with their transport costs.

A monitoring committee headed by the Director General of Health shoulders responsibilities of the two organizations. There are 7 members in the Board. Auditors - Earnst & Young Company (closely monitor the activities). The Office Bearers of this project are Lion Mahesh Pasqual, Mr. Roshan Mahanama, Lion Marlon Bakelmun, Mr. Senerath Jayawardena, Lion Upali Samarasinghe, Lion Lalith Hewage, Lion Nazmy Thayyib, Mr. Sanath Jayasuriya, Mr. Marvan Attapattu, Mr. Mahela Jayawardena, Lion Janaka Hapangama, Lion Iqbal Hsanally and Mr. Chandana Liyanapatabendy.

Mr. Pasquel remembered with gratitude of the big support given by organizations such as Dilmah, the Sri Lanka Air Lines, Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation, the Rupavahini, Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd., etc.

He requests the public that a receipt be taken on donations that they make and that in future a special bank slip would be issued. Also he requests the general public to be careful when making donations and not to get caught to rogues. Anybody attempting to raise funds for this project should obtain permission from the HOPE.

All contributions, which will be tax-free, can be deposited at any of the Seylan Bank branches in the name of the HOPE Cancer Hospital.

Inquiries may be made on 672820 (telephone, 687706 (fax), email: [email protected] or call at 16A, Ward Place, Colombo 7.

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Copyright 2001 The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd.
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