A song composed for World Cancer Day

by Anushka Abhayaratne

World Cancer Day was commemorated on the 4th of February 2021 and the theme for the day was “I Am and I Will”. The Public Education Committee (PEC) of The Sri Lanka Cancer Society organized and held many events to increase awareness about this dreaded disease. During the week, Feb. 1 – 7, the PEC organized interviews on radio and television, had many articles from doctors in print media and a lot of awareness was spread on social media with the help of many influencers.

Anushka (a member of the PEC) says that through the grace of God, she was inspired by the theme to compose this song for World Cancer Day and it was sung by her daughters, Kiara and Anya Abhayaratne (students of Ladies’ College). They also designed the poster that was used for World Cancer Day.

The song emphasizes the fact that one is not alone in this fight and that there is support. It is written to bring comfort to those who are suffering, strength to those who are fighting and honor the taken. The song was accompanied by Neranjan de Silva who also did the audio and video recording. The music video was directed by Jehan Bastians and Neidra Williams with drone photography by Dilhan Abhayaratne.

The music video was used by the Sri Lanka Cancer Society on social media to inspire and promote awareness and was received with a lot of great reviews like “it was very moving, giving hope to all those going through a cancer journey”. It was also used to launch the campaign for World Cancer Day by the Cancer society in Delhi (India) who commented “the song has been composed so well and sung so melodiously”. The song was also used by the Faraja Cancer Support Trust in Kenya.