“Alert’18”

“Alert’18”
 “Aware and Prevent for a Happier Life”

Cancer is the uncontrolled growth and spread of cells. It can affect almost any part of the body. The growths often invade surrounding tissue and can metastasize to distant sites.

Both the number of cases and the prevalence of cancer have been steadily increasing over the past few decades. There are said to be over 200 different types of cancer and each is classified by the type of cell that is initially affected.

We, Leo Club of University of Colombo focus our attention on awareness of this Fatal Disease, Cancer for the betterment of Sri Lankan Society. Since 1 of 8 cancer patients can be cured completely. Only with the early detection we can eradicate the risk of cancer.

Therefore, we wishes to conduct Cancer Awareness Project with namely “Alert’18-Aware and Prevent for Happier Life” with 5 related phases in island wide. These all phases are conduct by Resource Personnel such as Doctors.

In this project we give our attention on different community groups in our society.

Phase 01

We planned our first phase was conducted in a school at Kegalle. We selected Kandegedara

 Kanishta Vidyalaya, Dewalegama, Kegalle to conduct the initial phase. After taking account of the possible dates, Principle allowed us to conduct this program on 2nd February 2018.

As the initial step of the opening ceremony lightening of the oil lamp was done by with the participation of the Doctor Chamila Priyadarshani and other members. After we conducted the opening ceremony we conducted the awareness program to the students.

Oral Cancer,Includes cancer of the lips, tongue, cheeks, floor of the mouth, hard and soft palate, sinuses, and pharynx (throat), can be life threatening if not diagnosed and treated early. After host the presentation about oral cancers, doctor spent her valuable time to conduct the check-up program. All the boys were attending to this and many students were addicted to eat betel nuts. Then doctor instructed them to not eat those and some ways to get rid of that bad habit.

 Distribution of leaflets and booklets

Breast Cancers

The most common invasive cancer in women, and the second main cause of cancer death in women, after lung cancer where Risk factors can be genetic, but some lifestyle factors, such as alcohol intake, makes it more likely to happen.

While conducting the presentation by the doctor, she allowed all the participants to ask questions regarding cancers if they have any issues and many participants took the advantage of the chance. We were randomly distributed a sample feedback form to take suggestions and their feedbacks relating to the project after the end of the both Awareness &Check-up.

In the end, one of their staff members delivers their comments about our project and informed us that they had organized refreshments for us and take a part of it.

Phase 02

Second phase of our project was held on 16th of February 2018 at  Kahangama Bauddha Maha Vidyalaya, Kahangama, Rathnapura. Leo sandeepana addressed the audience by welcoming the all participants to the project and the project Chairperson Leo Gayanith Sachindara addressed the audience by describing what is “Alert’18”. After that awareness program commenced with the involvement of students and parents.

As phase 01 we conducted awareness programme by providing information about oral cancer, lung cancer, breast cancer and distribute leaflets and booklets among participants.

Phase 03

Alert'18 phase 3 was held on 19th February 2018 at Wattappola Central Collage, Pilimathalwa. At the event day school vice principal firstly addressed the audience then we initiated our program.
 As the initial step Leo sandeepana address the audience by welcoming the all participants. Then project Chairperson Leo Gayanith Sachindara address the audience by describing what is “Alert’18”. Then Club President Leo Tharindu Jayasinghe explained who we are and the objectives of our project. After that awareness program commenced by the Doctor  Bandula with the interaction of students and parents.

As previous projects provide some knowledge about cancer for the participants. With respect to the other cancer types there were many questions from the audience regarding this cancer. We were randomly distributed a sample feedback form to take suggestions and their feedbacks

Phase 04

We decided to conduct 4th phase of our project on 24thof February 2018  at CCC House Maharagama. 

After the arrival of chief guest, Leo Pasindu Bhanuka Premarathne President of District 306C1 we initiated the event by inviting all the patients to the dining area since they are supposed to take lunch at 11.30 a.m. While they are taking lunch we gathered to the Art room to discuss rest of the event. At that moment Leo Ashani addressed the audience and invited District President to address the participants. 

We were able to talk with those little kids and they were so happy to have us there on that day. They were so friendly with us and share their feelings with us. After lunch we organized an entertainment event where the singing crew prepared a series of songs to entertain the participants. At the beginning of the event children presented few songs along with the others. The event was held for approximately 1 and half hours and while it going on we distributed the feedback forms to the parents of the children. They enjoyed the program, by forgetting their pains and sorrows. As a matter of fact it was an emotional event for both of us and them. That one and half hours became the most unforgettable hours in most of ours mind.

At 2.30 p.m. we served yoghurt and snacks to the children. They were so thankful to us for the unforgettable evening they have. With all those memories on mind we wrapped up the event.

Phase 05

Fifth phase of this project, we selected a Kandy Superintendent Police Office to conduct the program. As the initial step Leo Sandeepana addressed the audience by delivering the welcome speech to the  participants. Then project Chairperson Leo Gayanith Sachindara addressed the audience by describing what is “Alert’18” then our  Club President Leo Tharindu Jayasinghe explained who we are and   the objectives of our project. After that awareness program commenced by doctor Iranga Madushan and Doctor Madhawee Gunethilake about Pap smear test and breast cancers. There were  many questions  regarding  breast  cancer  and  Pap  smear  test.  Then  dental  Surgeon Dilini Rathnayake delivered her presentation about oral cancers.

The police office staff provided refreshment to the participants.
After the awareness program there were two teams conducted the checkup series.

The awareness program “Alert’18” was completed successfully than we expected with the participation of more than 750 people.  It was a great opportunity and a privilege for us to conduct this valuable program covering different district community, to educate the society about cancers and the ways of preventing from it.

Alert’18 was really a great success to everyone who were connected with us a team in all possible ways. We, Leo club of University of Colombo are thankful to all the participants who spent their valuable time to contribute to the success of this project. At the end of the each phase we were able to get blessings by participants and all of them were encouraged us to conduct more projects like.

We were really appreciate time and effort of every single person who contributed us.