A total of 75,909 cancer cases were diagnosed in Sri Lanka over a five-year period up to the year 2020, and 57% of those diagnosed were women. ‘Loss of Hair’ is a major side effect of the chemotherapy treatment that these patients must undergo. Realising the psychological trauma these women suffer, and to help break the stigma that surrounds ‘loss of hair’, Kumarika, a leading hair care brand in Sri Lanka, embarked on the purpose driven ‘Sonduru Dririyawanthi’ campaign. The campaign was designed to help provide for natural hair wigs for women diagnosed with cancer. Launched on 5th October 2021, the campaign was initiated on the belief that every woman is beautiful, regardless of her external appearance.
Kumarika plans to donate 6000 wigs annually to women diagnosed with cancer. Kumarika partnered with Indira Cancer Trust and the Lions Clubs of Aluthgama Bentota and Galkissa and with the support of the Ministry of Health and the Sri Lanka College of Oncologists. After the first donation to the Kotelawala Defense University Hospital in November 2021, and subsequent donations were made to Kurunegala Hospital and Anuradhapura Hospitals on 23rd and 24th of November 2021 respectively.
Picture 1, attending the donation at the Teaching Hospital, Anuradhapura (seen from Left): Dr Mahesen Neththikumara, Consultant, Oncologist, Mrs. Anush Tharangani, Nurse in Charge, Chemotherapy Unit, Mrs. Lakmini Weerasinghe., Patient and the representatives of Indira Cancer Trust.
Picture 2, attending the donation at Kurunegala Hospital (Seen from Left): The representatives of Indira Cancer Trust, Patient, Mrs. Inoka Dambadeniya, Dr. Roshan Gunarathne, Consultant Clinical Oncologist, Dr. Leela Siriwardana, Consultant Clinical Oncologist, Dr. Renuka Jayasinghe, MO, Oncology, Dr. Prageeth Wickramasinghe, MO, Oncology, Dr. Vidura Keerthisinghe MO, Oncology, Dr. Kaushalya Dissanayake, MO, Oncology, Mrs. P S S N Dhanarathna, RN, Mrs. A R M T Suwahir, RN, Ward Sister.
The Sonduru Diriyawanthi Project has donated batches of 50 wig care packs to several other National, General, Base and Teaching Hospitals across the country as well.
