The Fiji Cancer Society collected $432,700 in 2018 through its’ three fundraising initiatives.

Fiji Cancer Society CEO Belinda Chan says through Fiji’s Biggest Morning Tea, Pinktober and Movember campaigns they are able to sustain the services that they offer to those who are battling cancer and their families.

She adds that the Society currently supports 166 cancer patients with the number increasing every month.

Chan says in July alone 15 new cancer patients were registered and are now being assisted by the Cancer Society.

She says the money collected by the Cancer Society is used for their existing support services that includes the provision of transport for patients who cannot afford to travel to hospitals for their treatments and medication for those undergoing chemotherapy.

Chan says that the biggest challenge they face are patients who present themselves to hospitals or visit the Fiji Cancer Society for assistance at a very late stage of their cancer where little can be done.

“Despite all our awareness out there in the community we still have cases that are presented late. And I’m only focusing on breast and cervical. There are a lot of women who are still coming in late, there are a good number of women who are coming in early, thanks to the outreach programs. There is still a lot of them that are coming in late. Some of these are mothers in rural areas and some of them are educated women, professional women.”

Chan says other initiatives that funds are directed towards include, the freight for prosthetic bras and breasts, procurement of chemotherapy medication and consumables as well as palliative home visitations and care packs.