Beyond pink ribbon: SLBC UAE turns awareness into hope and action

"Behind every ribbon is a story. Behind every story is hope. Cancer has no nationality. It has no religion. It does not  distinguish between rich and poor. It can affect any one of us." With these words, Sri Lanka Business Council UAE Chairman Suren Swaminathan opened ‘Hope Behind the Ribbons’, setting the tone for an  afternoon that sought to take breast cancer awareness beyond the familiar  pink ribbon and focus on the people who stand behind every diagnosis. 

Held on 3 October at Crowne Plaza Deira, Dubai, the annual Breast Cancer Awareness initiative brought together some 120 women, men, families, diplomats, and business and community leaders around a simple message: while one person may receive the diagnosis, an entire family often lives  the journey. 

For the first time, the traditionally women-led program was deliberately opened to men and families. The event was spearheaded by Women's SLBC UAE, supported by SLBC NextGen and the wider Council. The  younger generation also played an important creative role, contributing  to the distinctive Hope Behind the Ribbons identity, logo and messaging. Swaminathan explained the thinking behind the theme through the people  whose experiences often remain unseen: the father holding his daughter's  hand, the husband silently watching and supporting his wife, the son frightened that he may lose his mother, and the brothers, sisters,  friends and caregivers who walk beside someone they love. It was this support structure, the people behind the ribbon, that became  the heart of the event. 

Ambassador lends her voice to the cause 

The occasion was graced by Ambassador of Sri Lanka to the UAE Prof. Arusha Cooray, as Chief Guest, lending both prominence and purpose to  the initiative. 

In her address, Ambassador Cooray highlighted the breast cancer burden in Sri Lanka and emphasised the importance of awareness, education and early  detection. The program drew attention to the sobering reality that  approximately 15 women are diagnosed with breast cancer each day in Sri Lanka, with around three deaths daily. 

Beyond her formal role as Chief Guest, the Ambassador spent considerable  time at the event, interacting warmly with participants, speakers and  community leaders, and reinforcing through her presence the importance of  collective action. 

The gathering also included distinguished guests and community and  business leaders from several of the UAE's international communities,  including representatives associated with the Turkish, Lebanese,  Ukrainian, Russian and Afghan business communities, among other invitees. 

From a sister's loss, a legacy of hope 

Adding special significance to the program was Indira Cancer Trust Chairperson and Trustee Dr. Lanka Jayasuriya  Dissanayake, who flew in from Sri Lanka specifically to participate in Hope Behind the Ribbons. Her keynote address was one of the most poignant moments of the  afternoon. 

Dr. Lanka recounted the deeply personal journey of her younger sister, Indira Jayasuriya, who battled breast cancer and passed away in the United Kingdom at just 40 years of age, leaving behind her husband and  two young children.

She spoke of the compassionate care that Indira and the family  experienced during that difficult journey, care that recognised not only  the patient but also the family walking beside her. That experience left  the family determined to create something meaningful in Sri Lanka that  would extend similar dignity, compassion and support to cancer patients  and their loved ones. 

From their grief grew the Indira Cancer Trust, transforming one family's  loss into a mission of hope and service. Its work today encompasses  numerous patient and family support programs, including Suwa Arana, A Place for Healing, its pioneering paediatric palliative-care initiative. Dr. Lanka remained closely engaged throughout the program, interacting  with guests and sharing first-hand insights into the realities faced by  cancer patients and their families. 

Her story captured the essence of the afternoon: personal grief  transformed into a legacy of hope. 

Voices behind the ribbon 

The program deliberately brought together speakers representing very different sides of the cancer journey. 

Mark Kirby spoke not as a corporate leader but as a son, brother and  caregiver. Having experienced the loss of his sister and, subsequently,  his mother's battle with breast cancer, he shared the intensely personal  realities faced by families. He spoke of stepping away from a demanding  professional career to be with and care for his mother. 

His story gave a voice to the caregivers who rarely appear in cancer  statistics: the sons, husbands, fathers, siblings and friends whose own  lives are profoundly affected when someone they love is diagnosed. Fathima Najath Samath shared another extraordinary family journey, that  of her son, Mohammed Rayyan Rifdhi, through leukaemia and relapse. At the heart of their story was Rayyan's sister, Alana, who became his  stem cell donor, giving her brother a precious gift of hope. Today,  Rayyan is recovering well. Their experience brought together a mother's  determination, a sister's courage and the resilience of an entire family. Veteran insurance professional Continental Group Founder and Managing  Director Ashok Sardana brought a different but equally important  dimension through his address, "Protecting Beyond the Diagnosis." Drawing on more than five decades of experience, he highlighted a reality that families can discover too late: serious illness can become not only a medical and emotional crisis but also a financial one. His message  centred on putting appropriate financial protection in place before it is  needed. 

Together, the speakers brought Hope Behind the Ribbons to life,  representing the patient, the sister, the mother, the son, the caregiver  and the practical realities faced by families following a diagnosis. 

Rs. 6.5 million turns awareness into action 

The program went beyond speeches and awareness by translating its  message into tangible assistance for cancer patients and families in Sri  Lanka. 

Through the generosity of two Indian friends of the SLBC Chairman, Subramaniam and Jaykumar, a total of Rs. 6.5 million was contributed  towards cancer-related causes. Their gesture also demonstrated how  friendship and compassion can transcend national and community  boundaries.

Rs. 4 million was presented to the Indira Cancer Trust, while Rs. 2.5 million was presented to the Sri Lanka Cancer Society, Kandy Branch to support its continuing work. 

Their generosity reinforced another powerful message from the afternoon: Just as cancer has no nationality, neither does compassion. The contribution continues SLBC UAE's longstanding commitment to  humanitarian and community causes. Over the years, the Council and its  members have rallied behind numerous initiatives, from assistance during  the COVID-19 pandemic, Ditwah, to support for charitable organisations  and community causes in Sri Lanka, including the Roshan Mahanama Trust. 

A room united in pink 

Despite the seriousness of the subject, the atmosphere was one of warmth,  optimism and solidarity. 

Guests arrived dressed in shades of pink, transforming the venue into a  striking visual expression of support for those affected by breast cancer. 

Every guest was presented with an elegant pink ribbon lapel pin,  specially created for Hope Behind the Ribbons, which guests wore with  pride throughout the afternoon. More than a keepsake, it carried the  message "No One Fights Alone" and symbolised awareness, early detection,  support and hope. 

Guiding the program was Lana Silva, who made an impressive debut as  Master of Ceremonies, keeping proceedings flowing seamlessly with warmth  and confidence. 

The program was followed by a gala high tea and networking session,  giving guests of different nationalities and communities an opportunity  to connect. Speakers and those who contributed to the initiative were  also presented with tokens of appreciation. 

SLBC UAE Vice Chairman Shihan Sheriff delivered the vote of thanks,  acknowledging the speakers, sponsors, supporters, organising team and  guests whose collective contribution made the program possible. 

A touch of Sri Lanka 

The specially curated goody bags presented to guests also celebrated Sri Lanka's rich heritage. 

Guests received Ceylon cinnamon from Ariya Foods and Ceylon tea from Ahmad Tea, two of Sri Lanka's prized exports, together with a special voucher from Siddhalepa, reflecting the island's centuries-old Ayurvedic tradition. Contributions from Lanka Foods, LankanCart and other generous supporters added further touches to the gifts. 

SLBC UAE expressed its appreciation to all sponsors and supporters whose  generosity helped make the program possible and enabled participation  to be heavily subsidised. 

Special appreciation was extended to Pullman Dubai Creek City Centre, the  hospitality partner, which hosted Dr. Lanka Jayasuriya Dissanayake during  her visit to Dubai and supported the initiative. 

The Council particularly acknowledged Women's SLBC UAE, which spearheaded  the event and mobilised much of its sponsorship and in-kind support,  together with SLBC NextGen and the wider team of volunteers who worked  alongside them to bring Hope Behind the Ribbons to life. 

Beyond the ribbon 

Hope Behind the Ribbons ultimately sought to change the conversation  around cancer. 

The pink ribbon remains one of the world's most recognisable symbols of  breast cancer awareness. But SLBC UAE wanted its community to look behind the ribbon: at the human being, the family, the fear, the sacrifice, the  caregiver, the financial pressures and, ultimately, the hope. Awareness must lead to education. Education must encourage early  detection. And compassion must translate into action. 

On an afternoon when a room full of people proudly wore pink, the ribbon  became more than a symbol. 

It became a reminder that no one facing cancer should ever have to face  it alone. 

Behind every ribbon is a story. Behind every story is hope.