CCC Foundation (CCC) is a not-for-profit charitable organisation based on the values courage, compassion and commitment. We believe it is these very qualities in those who support our efforts to help the sick and the underprivileged that makes the difference.
CCC was first registered as Care for Cancer Children in May 2003 to assist children suffering from cancer at the National Cancer Institute Maharagama (NCI) in Sri Lanka.
Jetha Devapura, from Melbourne, Australia founded CCC following a visit to the children’s ward at NCI. Devika and Gamini Wimalasuriya of the Lions Club of Havelock Town in Colombo, Sri Lanka introduced Jetha to the NCI. Jetha and the CCC committee in Melbourne worked together with Devika and Gamini from 2003 to 2007 to implement several projects at the children’s section of NCI. CCC provided part of the funds for the CCC Ward – a sixteen bed children’s ward. A Paediatric Intensive Care Unit and a counselling facility for children and their families were among their other projects.
In February 2004, CCC included the Royal Children’s Hospital (RCH) in Melbourne a local beneficiary.. A small percentage of the funds generated by CCC went towards the RCH Children’s Cancer Centre.
At the same time, Dr. Keith Waters, a Senior Paediatric Oncologist at the Children’s Cancer Centre, RCH offered to train the medical staff from NCI. Six months later in August 2004, CCC had two nurses, a doctor and the Deputy Director of NCI visit RCH in Melbourne for training. In November 2004, Dr. Keith Waters visited NCI to provide its medical staff with training. Dr. Keith has since made several visits to NCI and RCH has become a CCC partner. CCC aims to provide best practice paediatric oncology treatment and care for children and adolescent patients at NCI.
In May 2004, the organisation changed its name from Care for Cancer Children to CCC Foundation Inc., in line with the expansion of its scope of work beyond paediatric oncology treatment and care. CCC stands for Courage, Compassion and Commitment – the three values of the organisation.
In July 2006, CCC also formed a partnership with the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre (Peter Mac). Nihara Pathirana, a Radiation Therapist from Peter Mac made her first visit to NCI in October 2008 to implement best practice in radiation therapy treatment and training. Nihara made her second visit in November 2009.
In 2007, CCC started plansto build the CCC House- the largest cancer transit home in Sri Lanka. With 170 beds, it is estimated to cost AUD1.5 million or LKR150 million upon completion.
With the expansion of projects, CCC Foundation Sri Lanka was formed as a branch of CCC Foundation Inc. in April 2007. In 2009, CCC began construction of the CCC House.
In December 2009, CCCline was launched in Sri Lanka, the first telephone counselling service of its kind. The CCCline provides support to those who require assistance in the areas of emotional well-being and mental health. CCC partners Centre for International Mental Health (CIMH), Lifeline International, Lifeline Hobart in Tasmania, Australia and the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) Angoda in Sri Lanka assist in providing this service.
