World Cancer Week Awareness Campaign by Public Education Committee of Sri Lanka Cancer Society

World Cancer Day commemorated on February 4 is the global uniting initiative led by the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) Geneva, to raise worldwide attention and inspire action for cancer free world.

World Cancer Day aims to save millions of preventable deaths each year by raising awareness about cancer, and pressing governments, and key stakeholders to take action to reduce Cancer related illness and deaths

In Sri Lanka, the Public Education Committee (PEC) of the Sri Lanka Cancer Society (SLCS) decided to have a whole week dedicated to cancer awareness. The theme set by UICC was “I am and I will” is about you and your commitment to act.

February 1-7 was dedicated to world cancer week. It commenced with articles in the newspapers, a supplement on World Cancer Day sponsored by Hemas Pharmaceuticals, and videos on Social media. The PEC Chairperson, the President and the Chairperson of the SLCS were interviewed on TV (Derana), Radio and Social media together with Consultant Oncologists, and several cancer survivors.

A song was composed for World Cancer day entitled “I Am and I Will”, and a Youth Art contest for school children is being held to spread awareness amongst the youth.

The PEC also participated in the World Cancer Walk organized by Belgium and several influencers helped to spread the message “Early Detection is key in fighting this disease.”

AIA Insurance who signed up as our Charity partner in 2019 to celebrate their centennial year, continues to support us to date. They helped to spread awareness during the world cancer week by displaying posters in their many branches around Sri Lanka in addition to their ongoing financial support and corporate activities to create awareness on the battle against Cancer.

At SLCS, we are committed to provide the best care for cancer patients at the Homes and Hospice (our palliative care center) at Maharagama. We also continue with great vigor to control cancer by educating the public on early detection and prevention of cancer, providing financial support, drugs etc., to needy Cancer survivors. These services are carried out free of charge. Therefore, the support extended by AIA Insurance and other generous donors have been of great help and value to carry on our indomitable task.

As the CEO of AIA, Nikhil Advani explained, “while the world is focused on COVID-19, non-Communicable Diseases, such as cancer remain a very real problem in Sri Lanka, and are responsible for over 76% deaths. Cancer is one of the nation’s leading health concerns and needs specialized treatment and more so a dedicated care and support system for patients. It gives us great meaning to be able to support the Cancer Society in caring for patients faced with this dreaded illness –both physically and mentally.”

For more information of the work done by SLCS please visit us on Instagram (sl_cancer_society_pec) and on our website

www.slcs.lk

Ms. Anoja Karunaratne,

President,

Sri Lanka Cancer Society.