Cyril Dharmawardene Foundation for Cancer Patients | Sunday Observer

Cyril Dharmawardene Foundation for Cancer Patients

22 January, 2017

Cancer is a dreadful disease which takes a heavy toll of precious lives-irrespective of age, social status or any other circumstances.

The economic impact on the household of a cancer patient is serious, as his near and dear make every effort to help him recover soon.

Cyril Dharmawardene Foundation, named after the famous tele artiste, was launched to extend a helping hand to cancer victims. Cyril Dharmawardene, the much popular local artiste fell victim to dreadful cancer while domiciled in Australia, and passed away in November 2013. The main objective of this Foundation is to provide free ambulance service to cancer patients. To begin with, two ambulances have been donated to the Karapitiya Hospital, Galle and the Polonnaruwa Hospital. This ambulance network at present covers, Galle, Matara, Hambantota, Kalutara, Ratnapura, Moneragala, Colombo, Badulla, Polonnaruwa, Anuradhapura, Matale, Kurunegala, Puttalam, Trincomalee and Vavuniya districts, and will be extended to other districts as well. Started with only two ambulances, the strength has since been increased to six ambulances.

A considerable amount of money has to be borne by the Foundation to efficiently maintain the ambulance service, when transporting 125-150 patients covering a mileage of 2,200-3,000 kilometers, apart from fuel and oil expenses. The fleet mainly consists of self-contained and air conditioned Mercedes Benz vehicles which ensure top security for patients. A recommendation by the hospital official is a must for patients to be entitled to free ambulance service. The Foundation too has donated 70 wheelchairs and provides free meals to deserving patients. It has also launched a most expensive service, the mobile Dialysis, recently, which largely benefits cancer patients living in the most difficult parts of the country. Members of the public who wish to donate to this humanitarian cause could remit their contributions to Account No.827 005 9296 Commercial Bank, Galle City office.

It was the late Cyril Dharmawardene’s son, Binara Dharmawardene who piloted this generous campaign in the larger interest of cancer patients in his motherland, Sri Lanka.

Further inquiries could be made from 0777797933 or 0716338122. 

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