What Mithuruwela is About

Although cancer is the third largest cause of death in Sri Lanka, there is a serious dearth of information on this disease—particularly in the national languages, Sinhala and Tamil and particularly among the disadvantaged and marginalized who are most in need of help. To respond to this need, a group of cancer survivors and friends are launching Mithuruwela—the cancer support network – in January 2005.

Mithuruwela is a network of volunteers committed to providing a better understanding of cancer— early detection, treatment regimes and services, and other aspects like coping mechanisms as well as causes and prevention — by sharing experiences and knowledge. It aims to help patients and care givers make informed decisions about dealing with cancer so that they can look beyond the diagnosis and deal positively with the treatment and after effects.

Mithuruwela is seeking support for its activities through reaching out to like-minded volunteers who would help with its activities and in turn, be helped by the work they will choose to undertake.

Volunteers are required in areas including administration and coordination of activities; activities related to the production of information material in all media (writers, editors, translators, proof-readers, etc); manning an information desk and cancer hotline; visiting and talking with patients and their families; assistance is raising awareness on prevention; and fund raising. Donations of time and money would be gratefully accepted and utilised fully for the Network’s objectives. Mithuruwela will run primarily through volunteers in its first two years of existence and administrative costs will be kept low.

Working with a multi-disciplinary group of health professionals on their Advisory Circle, Mithuruwela will implement a comprehensive plan of action in 2005 beginning with the launch of the Network’s website, www.mithuruwela.com.
Other activities, to be implemented in several phases in 2005, includes:
• Forming key activity groups
• Producing and disseminating print and audio-visual information material in all three national languages
• Creating a network of trained ‘befrienders’
• Setting up a cancer hotline
• Initiating advocacy on cancer.

Mithuruwela will coordinate activities with existing government and private organisations for greatest outreach – its main focus would be to reach and provide support services for the patient and care giver.

Members of the Group’s Management Circle that leads its activities include Ryhana Raheem (Prof of English, Open University), Kiran Dhanapala (Economist), Suhenthiran and Mala Thalayasingam (Lawyers), Malathy Knight-John (Economist), Sirancee Gunawardena (former Principal, Ladies College), and others.

Mithuruwela welcomes your suggestions and support. Please write to: email address: Mithuruwela@hotmail.com or visit website: www.mithuruwela.blogspot.com