5.5.2008
Coverage by - Johann Jayasinha (SNNI) Melbourne
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MELBOURNE:
It was a sold out event at The Ashwood Reception Centre
in Melbourne on Friday 2nd May 08 when the CCC Foundation
Inc. presented "A Taste of Lanka 08". The evening
raised funds towards the CCC House project at the National
Cancer Institute (NCI) Maharagama, Sri Lanka.
The Courage, Compassion and Commitment (CCC) Foundation
has been supporting the NCI Maharagama since 2003 by raising
funds towards several important projects including the
CCC Ward which was opened in August 2006. The CCC also
works with its alliance partners the Royal Children's
Hospital (RCH) and the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre in
Melbourne to provide training and to development and implement
best practice oncology treatment at Maharagama.
The NCI treats approx 850 inpatients however has only
650 bed spaces. The remaining 200 inpatients unfortunately
receive their care on the floor and are commonly referred
to as "floor patients". To reduce the overcrowding
burden on the patient, their carers and also the the medical
staff at Maharagama the CCC Foundation is building the
CCC House, a 140 bed transit home for outpatients. The
CCC House will be built inside the hospital premises on
land donated by the ministry of health and is estimated
at $ AUD1.75 Million or approx Rupees 175 Million.
Organisers of "A taste of Lanka 08" Shiranee
Sinnathamby, Ingrid and Joe Schokman along with the CCC
Committee raised over $AUD 7,000 on the night towards
a room at the CCC House. Maliq Dean from The Ashwood Reception
Centre sponsored the venue and there were many kind and
generous people who donated goods for the raffle and to
make the night a great success. Dulip provided a traditional
Sri Lankan smorgasbord which truly depicted a taste of
Lanka. The CCC Founder and Chairman Jetha Devapura said
"The CCC House is a critical project to improve the
cure rate and overall care at Maharagama and its very
humbling to see the great support the CCC recieved for
this fundraiser". Senior consultant oncologist Dr.
Keith Waters from the RCH also spoke about his trips to
Maharagama and the importance of the CCC House project.
Naresha Soysa better know as DJ Naz also attended the
evening with the groups from CHALANA 08 including Bathiya
and Santhush. DJ Naz also supports the CCC and hopes to
sponsor a room at the CCC House valued at $AUD10,000.
The CCC website www.cccfoundation.org.au gives a great
account of the projects undertaken by the CCC and how
people can support the CCC House project. You can also
book tickets online for the upcoming CCC Charity Ball
08 with Sohan and the Xperiments to be held at the Flemington
Racecourse on the 26th July 08. CCC House project
Courtesy - SNNI