Amidst this darkness, there is hope hinged on advocacy, innovation and collective action where everyone has the power to close the care gap and ensure that every individual facing cancer receives the care and support they deserve.
Acting Prime Minister Manoa Kamikamica highlighted this during the World Cancer Day Landmark Lighting at the Grand Pacific Hotel last night.
Kamikamica says while addressing the theme of World Cancer Day which is Closing the Care Gap, we need to be aware of this critical issue that continues to trouble our communities.
He says the care gap in cancer treatment is not merely a matter of figures and information, it is about the lives of our families, friends, neighbours and ourselves, and it has no boundaries but remits race, gender, socio-economic status and geography.
However, Kamikamica says what we can do to address this first-hand is to have access to timely and quality care.
He adds that the care gap is made up of a complex mix of elements that includes barriers to screening and early detection, limitations in accessing state-of-the-art treatments and unequal survivor-ship care.
Kamikamica says we must prioritise prevention and early detection which means investing in community-based education and screening programs, particularly in under-resourced areas.
He says we must strive for fairness in access to treatment and ensure all individuals, regardless of income, have access to vital health care services.
He says it means advocating for policies that promote affordability and transparency in medicine pricing so that life-saving treatments are within reach for all who need them.
Grand Pacific Hotel Service Manager Nancy Chute says in the fight against cancer, every second counts and collective donated funds help to push the work of the Fiji Cancer Society.
Chute says the collaboration with WOWS Kids Fiji saw their leadership team shaving off their hair and raising $50,000 in support for curing cancer.
Lights were also lit at the Grand Pacific Hotel last night to mark the lives being lost from cancer in the World.
