Making a tangible difference

By Joyetter Luamanu 02 November 2017, 12:00AM

Ramona Aleli, a cancer survivor, has hailed efforts by Aolagi Jackson-Anderson, who held a 24-hour cancer awareness campaign using her photo next to the Pink iconic clock at the heart of Apia.

In her pink rubber band ponytails, Aolagi smiled as her mother Lagipoiva Cherelle Jackson, snapped her photo and posted it on social media with the message, "to translate this post to action we will donate a dollar for every engagement this post has in the next #24hours in the name of cancer."

As part of Pinktober, Aolagi’s photo activity raised $327 and on the last day of October, Aolagi made a donation of $350 to Ramona who is a uterine cancer survivor.

The amount of likes, comments and Instagram engagement contributed to Lagipoiva and her husband’s donation towards their daughter’s campaign.

Lagipoiva told the Samoa Observer that Ramona manages one of the local coffee shops and she felt it’s most appropriate to donate directly to her to assist with her doctor's visits and pain medication.

“As part of Brave Storms help - Mona also received some advice and a one on one with Oncology Nurse and Storms, Leilani Jackson from NZ who has committed to assist Ramona.”

The cancer survivor patient told the Samoa Observer that she never expected this from anyone.

Ramona commended efforts by Aolagi and her mother to donate funds to assist with purchasing of her medication.

“I am so thankful and so appreciative for the donation because the truth is I did not think that I will ever receive anything like this."

“I was shocked I didn’t expect this when they asked me to meet them,” said Ramona.  

Ramona said it’s been four years since she survived uterus cancer.

Apia’s iconic clock tower returned to its original shade on Tuesday evening, signifying the official end of the Pinktober Campaign.

By Joyetter Luamanu 02 November 2017, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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