Samoa Stationery and Books (S.S.A.B.) has teamed up with Good in American Samoa (G.I.A.S.) to support the country’s cancer patients and help boost cancer prevention awareness with a $5,000 donation for the Samoa Cancer Society.

The money was presented to the Chief Executive Officer (C.E.O.) of the Samoa Cancer Society, Su’a John Ryan, early this week.

S.S.A.B. and G.I.A.S. donated $2,500 each for the total.

“This donation will help substantially with implementing the society’s projects especially with taking care of cancer patients and building more awareness. It’s very important that we have more awareness and more preventative measures in place so our people are aware,” said Su’a.

S.S.A.B.’s share of the donation was raised during several pink-themed initiatives: in-store pink promotions, special pink sei sales and other activities during the nationwide Pinktober campaign.

C.E.O. of S.S.A.B., Tofilau Fiti Leung Wai, thanked their valued customers and the people of Samoa for supporting their pink initiatives.

“God’s heart is to love and S.S.A.B. strives to deliver that for our community and our people,” said Tofilau.  

“I want to thank S.S.A.B’s valued customers and the people of Samoa who came in to our stores and bought pink seis, pink products and S.S.A.B. Pasefika Style clothing line from S.S.A.B. Thank you for entrusting your donations to S.S.A.B. through your purchases from us. This is our collective-donation for Samoa Cancer Society.”

Ten percent of in-store total sales on select pink items went toward the Cancer Society.

In addition, S.S.A.B. ran its promotion on their new clothing line, the S.S.A.B. Pasefika Style. Five tala from every single purchase was donated to the Cancer Society.

Managing Director of G.I.A.S., Maiava Jody Meleisea, said her mother, Fuimaono Ata Toleafoa, is a strong survivor of cancer.  

She hopes the donation will assist her fellow brothers and sisters in Samoa continue in their fight to beat cancer.

“Exactly ten years ago my beautiful mother was diagnosed with breast cancer in November 2010. Six weeks later she underwent major surgery with the removal of her right breast in hopes to eliminate the tumor,” Maiava said.

“However, the cancer had already advanced and my mother fought through months of grueling chemotherapy treatments to remove all cancerous cells. It is our hope that perhaps in some way this donation will be able to help fellow sisters and brothers in Samoa continuing the fight in becoming survivors of cancer.”

During Pinktober, S.S.A.B. partnered with the Samoa Cancer Society to host the first Mother and Daughter Lunch. Women in leadership positions, in business and government met at the Taumeasina Island Resort to discuss preventative measures to combat cancer.

Mothers and daughters heard first-hand accounts of mothers who survived cancer and of loved ones who lost their battles to the deadly disease.

“It was an opportunity for mothers and daughters to be educated on how to identify symptoms of cancer and learnt the importance of seeing a doctor for possible early detection of cancer,” according to the statement.

S.S.A.B. pledges their assistance to promote cancer awareness and prevention each year. They’ve worked alongside Samoa Cancer Society for the past four years and it’s a partnership that is appreciated by the society because of the support needed from the business community.

“The aim now is to really fundraise a lot for the society. Listening to the stories from the society about the need of funds and resources have really, really pushed me and S.S.A.B. to do more to help,” Tofilau said.

“Together with our S.S.A.B. family we are united in heart to help the Samoa Cancer Society and their mission to raise awareness and battle breast cancer,” said Maiava

Following the monetary donation, Tofilau said that S.S.A.B. will start to resell pink seis straightaway. The bookstore will purchase pink seis from its local partners and resell them at S.S.A.B. stores.

Tofilau has liaised with S.S.A.B.’s suppliers to source a variety of pink products to sell starting early next year and again 10 percent from total sales will be donated to the society.

“This isn’t the first time S.S.A.B. and Tofilau have helped Samoa Cancer Society and I am grateful that they still continue to help,” said Su’a.