Fa'afetai Lava Samoa!

01 December 2017, 12:00AM

The Samoa Cancer Society would like to say Fa’afetai, Fa’afetai, Fa’afetai tele lava, Samoa! Malo lava everyone! All sectors of our society got involved in raising awareness about breast cancer this year, from Government, to individuals, to the business sector. 

Together, we raised over $40,000ST for the Samoa Cancer Society,  an enormous contribution that allows us to continue to support and provide services for cancer patients, as well as the continuation of our outreach and education workshops.

We couldn’t continue the work we do without your support!

Thank you to our Honourable Prime Minister Tuilaepa Lupesoliai Dr. Sailele Malielegaoi and Government Ministries that made it possible for us to paint our national monument, the Town Clock, pink – a first in Samoa and we believe in the whole Pacific region! 

To have such an iconic monument represent the Cancer Society’s advocacy call for breast cancer awareness is a true reflection of our country’s commitment to improving cancer services and the health of its citizens.

We are extremely grateful to our Patron and Minister of Health, Hon Tuitama Dr Leao Talalelei Tuitama, the Ministry of Health and the National Health Services – for their contribution in helping to spread cancer awareness. 

The success of the NHS Free Breast Screening week during Pinktober was overwhelming, and we hope that this will continue for future Pinktober campaigns.  Malo lava to all NHS Management and Staff for their tireless work and support.

We thank our sponsor Bluesky Samoa for their huge contribution throughout the month.  Helping the Society spread the ‘Vave’ early detection messages to all Bluesky mobile users enabled us to reach into the far corners of our country. 

Fa’afetai tele lava. Many thanks are also extended to our long time sponsors ANZ Bank (Samoa) and Colgate Palmolive (Fiji).

Thank you ANZ for helping us launch Pinktober with your commitment of Pink ATM’s and a pink uniform for staff throughout the month, and Colgate Palmolive for the supply of bookmarks giving tips on breast self examinations, including the promotion of the Pinktober campaign through your wholesale and retail outlets with the Palmolive brand products.

We thank you both for your continuous support.

Thank you also to our local businesses Bluebird Hardware, Ca’Bella and Schwalger Construction that donated paint, the use of machinery and manpower to paint our iconic Town Clock pink and then back to white.

We thank all the media who were involved with Pinktober including the social media platform, for the extensive media coverage. 

Special thanks goes to Events, Marketing and Distribution (EMD) for their excellent and professional work and partnership with SCS and MSA in making Pinktober a huge success. 

Thank you Kevin, Vaito’a and your spectacular team.

Thank you to all the local businesses and government agencies that found creative ways to personalise the Pinktober message, hosting their own fund-raising events, inviting us to do outreach sessions, and encouraging their employees to get checked. 

Well done and fa’afetai lava to the SSAB ‘family’ for the commitment and assistance you gave to this campaign, as well as to the Informal Gardeners Group (IGG) – your colourful and cheerful assistance with our activities has not gone unnoticed and we acknowledge and appreciate your support in many ways.

 

Last but not least, a huge and special thank you goes to the Miss Samoa Alumni and Samoa’s breast cancer champion, Manamea Apelu Schwalger. Manamea and the ladies of the Miss Samoa Alumni took Pinktober to a whole new level in spreading the Pinktober message throughout the streets of Samoa, and to top levels of Government. As Manamea would always say, ‘it’s all about partnerships’!  THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF OUR HEART.

 

We couldn’t have done it without you, Samoa! You helped us spread our message: Vave iloa, Vave va’ai se foma’i, Vave vili mai, and by doing this, you have helped save lives!

 

It is impossible to name each and every person, organisation and business that contributed to the great success of Pinktober 2017, but please know that all your contributions whether it was a voluntary service, advocating, prizes, monetary or in-kind donations – all had a major impact on this year’s Pinktober Campaign.

 

Our humble and deep gratitude to you all – Samoa Cancer Society Executive Board, Management and Staff.

01 December 2017, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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