Running for a great cause

By Sina Filifilia Seva’aetasi 12 April 2017, 12:00AM

The Samoa Cancer Society has received an injection of $5,300 thanks to a group called Outrun Cancer.

This is not the first time the Group has stepped in to help the Samoa Cancer Society continue to their work.

Fanau Ola and Cancer Nurse Coordinator in Counties Manakau, New Zealand, Leilani Jackson said the money was raised during their team’s participation in the Savai’i Marathon last weekend.  

Members reached out to family and friends via social media to sponsor them as they ran the marathon.  

Ms. Jackson added that their mission was to spread awareness of cancer and encourage fellow Samoans to lead a healthier lifestyle.  

“Working as a Pacific Nurse Coordinator in Counties Manukau; it’s a very difficult and challenging role to get our people in engaged with their health journey,” she said.

“If it’s hard for us in Auckland, it will be harder for us in Samoa.  Samoa Cancer Society is the only main Non-Governmental Organization that works to create awareness for us to understand what cancer is and ways to prevent; hence the reason why we again chose Samoa Cancer as the benefactor.”

The runners themselves had their own personal reasons for joining the cause. 

Dahlia Lobil for instance shared her story in a moving Facebook post.

 “On Sunday 11th April 2010, my eldest sister Darlynda Aquila Katrina made sure she said goodbye to everybody in our family.” 

“She cracked a few jokes here and there, made us smile, laugh and cry all at the same time as she bid farewell...literally!” 

“So, Why the OUTRUN CANCER this Saturday? Because since she passed, I vowed I would do anything to help with cancer awareness in Samoa. Losing a sibling is a different pain altogether.” 

“She was only 34 years old but she left a beautiful legacy. Her children became all our children...her memory still lives on. I look forward to the day I will embrace her in my arms again.” 

“Now back to the term CANCER., how will running on Saturday make a difference? Awareness my darlings. Fundraising so a small society can afford dissemination of accurate information for those unaware of its types and causes etc… the least one can do to help. In her honour and those we all love and have lost to cancer, Team Destination will participate on Saturday.”

Executive Officer of Samoa Cancer Society, Shelley Burich thanked Outrun Cancer for their donation.

“This is the third time you’ve helped Samoa Cancer Society and your contributions in enabling us to keep funding our staff and keep the work going is a tremendous help.”  

“As you know, we do rely heavily remunerations. The donor funding that we do get is for specific programmes.  But for us to keep our doors open, to keep our staff employed, and keep the resources flowing, we rely on the donations you do. Thank you once again.”

By Sina Filifilia Seva’aetasi 12 April 2017, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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