65 children in Fiji suffer from cancer while 11 have passed away so far this year

There are currently 65 children suffering from various types of cancer in Fiji while 11 children have passed away due to cancer this year alone.

WOWS Kids Team Leader Viola Lesi says the most common type of childhood cancer is leukemia followed by brain tumor.

Lesi says at any given time, WOWS Kids Fiji looks after 60 to 70 children.

She says despite the COVID-19 pandemic, they will continue to provide the kind of support they have been providing.

Lesi says they have cut their transportation budget by a third however a lot of people have stepped forward to help with this cause.

She says that parents need to look out for signs of cancer in their children since they know their children best.

Lesi says if a child is diagnosed in the early stages of cancer, chances of survival are greater.

Some of the signs parents should look out for include continuous unexplained weight loss, headaches which are accompanied by early morning vomiting, increased swelling or persistent pain in bones, lump or mass especially in the neck and abdomen areas, constant infections and whitish eye color.

Some of the services provided by WOWS Kids Fiji include transport, medication, providing facilities and equipment for treatment, assisting with overseas treatment, providing accommodation for families from rural areas and diagnostic tests.

WOWS Kids Fiji has today launched its Childhood Cancer Awareness Month which is the month of August where they will be fundraising and creating awareness about childhood cancer.