Thanks to the Samoa Civil Society Support Programme, the Samoa Cancer Society was chosen as the site visit for the Asia Development Bank (A.D.B.) training participants from around the Pacific region.

They were there for Knowledge Sharing on Civil Society Organisation (C.S.O.) and Non-Government Organisation (N.G.O.).  Samoa Cancer Society is regarded as one of the many effective and active C.S.O./N.G.O’s in Samoa. 

C.S.S.P. funds the ‘Vave’ campaign, also known as the ‘V’ campaign, for one year focusing on the promotion of three important messages; Vave i loa; Vave vaai le fomai; Vave vili mai (Early detection, Quickly see the doctor and Quickly call us).

The media campaign aims to build public knowledge on the symptoms of cancer with the primary focus on early detection for effective curative treatment.

C.E.O. Shelley Burich presented the ‘Vave Campaign’ to the training participants.

“Taking four of the top cancers in Samoa - gastric, breast, lung and prostate – the Society is ensuring that important messages on early detection, signs and symptoms and risk factors associated with these cancers, is well publicised through outreaches, television ads, posters, brochures and billboards,” she said.  

A.D.B. training participants asked vital questions for their own countries in Vanuatu, Fiji and Cook Islands on their issues with Cancer awareness.

C.E.O. Burich explained that we all need to start working together in the Pacific on our common issues and challenges that will help improve cancer awareness and early detection.