The reigning Miss Global 2022 Shane Tormes has thrown her support behind the work of the Samoa Cancer Society, saying it is in memory of her mother who also died of cancer.

The Filipino national, who became the first woman in her country last year to win the crown, visited the S.C.S. Chief Executive Officer Su'a John Ryan and his staff on Thursday morning accompanied by the Vodafone Samoa C.E.O. Rana Bose.

She said her mother was her inspiration and her pillar of strength but lost her to cancer in December 2021, a year before she was crowned Miss Global 2022 and 11 years after competing in multiple pageants.

"Before my Miss Global journey, my mother passed away due to cancer and she was the very inspiration why I took the motivation to continue my journey. Built to last, it means rebuilding my life until the very end," said Ms. Tormes. "I believe that in every chapter, in every adversity, we have to stand up. 

"I believe that even though my mom is not physically here anymore, she has the best seat in heaven watching over me and I believe, whatever you've set to, prayed to, cried to, is the setup for your next best season."

The Miss Global 2022 gave a financial donation to Su'a and the S.C.S. on behalf of the Miss Global Organisation when they visited their Motootua office. Details of the financial donation were not disclosed to local media who accompanied the delegation. 

Revealing that she was inspired to visit the SCS due to their work for cancer patients in Samoa, Ms. Tormes said she hopes that the financial donation as well as her story about her mother can uplift the spirits of those battling cancer and their caregivers.

"I just want everyone to know that if you have cancer or if you are taking care of your loved ones battling this disease, you are not alone in this fight," she said. "There is so much that we can do for our loved ones during their difficult journey. 

"We can support them any way we can even if it's just being there to support them and make sure they know that they are not alone. 

"I've experienced this with my mother and it's hard; not only for the patients but also for the people caring for and looking after them. But having a strong support system can really make a difference."

Ms. Tormes said she has done a lot of community outreach programs back in her home country to raise awareness on how to best support cancer patients in their fight. The meeting with the S.C.S. executive at Motootua also gave her the opportunity to learn about the work Su'a and his team are doing to cater to the needs of cancer patients locally. 

Su'a explained that Samoa does not have the right equipment to treat cancer patients locally and that they send the patients overseas to New Zealand for treatments. 

The Miss Global 2022 then commended the hard work and dedication of Su'a and his staff in taking care of the patients. She said she hopes to continue raising awareness about the impacts cancer has on patients and their loved ones. 

According to Ms. Tormes, while cancer can also affect a person mentally, physically, spiritually and financially, she emphasised that sometimes they just need the assurance that they are not alone. 

"We all need to understand and be open-minded about it. If you know someone battling cancer and you know their loved ones, they all need our support.

"If we can provide that love and support for our caregivers, they will be strong and bold to care for their loved ones without showing any sign of weakness. 

"By loving and supporting those who care for cancer patients, they will have enough love to fight with their loved ones battling the disease. I did not have the courage or strength to speak up about the experience I had when my mother lost her battle with cancer.

"I would not say that she lost her battle because she put up a really good fight and she fought so hard until the end. There's a can in cancer, so that is the message I want to give to the people of Samoa, especially those diagnosed with cancer. 

"Together as a community, we can help and uplift our loved ones. At first, I would not be able to share my experience of what happened to my mother without having to fight back my tears." 

Su'a acknowledged with great appreciation the generosity of the Miss Global 2022 and her delegation not only for their financial donation but also for the words of encouragement for their patients, workers and caregivers.