My Wish Foundation Brings Smiles To Young Patients
December 1, 2009 —
Established in August 2009, the My Wish Foundation seeks to grant aspirations and dreams of children in Sri Lanka who are suffering from a terminal illness. The My Wish Foundation is a sister organization of the United Kingdom-based charity, My Wish.
My Wish Foundation’s launch event was attended by the First Lady, Mrs. Shiranthi Rajapakse, who was Chief Guest of the evening, and by the Secretary of Health and Nutrition, Dr. Athula Kahandaliyanage. Both parties are honorary patrons of the My Wish Foundation.
By granting the wishes of terminally ill children, My Wish Foundation is able to help alleviate the substantial emotional suffering and financial hardship that many families with terminally ill children face. The organization believes that it is the social responsibility of the citizens of Sri Lanka to develop a better care package for such children, and thus, the My Wish Foundation aims to provide continuous and comprehensive care to these children and their families.
The founder and president of My Wish Foundation, Mrs. Nelum Arachchige, delivered the welcome speech at the launch event, explaining the aims of the organization to a large audience which included religious leaders of various denominations, government ministers, representative from the Scottish government, medical personnel, and local and international celebrities and philanthropists, many of whom later pledged their support to the My Wish Foundation in its efforts.
Patron of ‘My Wish Foundation’, Dr. Kahandaliyanage, addressed the audience and highlighted the great need for such a charitable organization in Sri Lanka, and spoke of the positive benefits it would give back to the community.
All guests were introduced to three young and admirably brave children who are terminally ill patients of The Cancer Institute of Maharagama, Sri Lanka. These three children helped to highlight the desperate needs of terminally ill children and their families, touching the hearts of every person who heard them speak.
They were honored as the special guests of the evening and were allowed to partake in lighting the traditional oil lamp. They each received special gifts and flowers from First Lady, Mrs. Shiranthi Rajapakse, and from Mrs. Iranganie de Silva, wife of Health Minister, Mr. Nimal Siripala De Silva. The First Lady also distributed funds to the parents of the three children to be used for their medication and for the family’s travel expenses to and from the hospitals.
One of the children, Tharuni Nimanthika, at the age seven, is suffering from brain cancer. She was selected as the first child to receive the first wish from the My Wish Foundation. Her wish was a very simple one – to go to a place she had never been before – the local zoo.
Saheli Gamage, who is a rising singing star in Sri Lanka, joined children from the Budawatte Dancing Academy to entertain the audience for the evening.
Further aims of the My Wish Foundation were also discussed at the launch event, including provision of financial support for blood tests, medicines, and basic educational needs. The organization will also provide essential clothing and food, and will cover some travel costs for parents who are facing substantial financial hardship as a result of their child’s illness.
Eventually the My Wish Foundation hopes to be able to provide hospitals with specialized equipment, such as hoists and wheel chairs, and to be able to build a multi-sensory room which will provide stimulation and relaxation for the children. The organization will train volunteers to become counselors, play therapists, and teachers. Eventually, it will event provide respite care and accommodation for mothers while their children are in the hospital.
The ‘My Wish Foundation’ would like to invite Sri Lankans living in the United States and other in countries to volunteer to raise funds for these children and their families. It is important to do so as soon as possible because of the terminal nature of the children’s illnesses. For these young children, time is of the essence.
If you can and would like to help My Wish Foundation, visit their website by clicking here.
To see photos from the launch event, click here.