A Pink Labasa Town to Support Campaign
Many parts of Labasa Town were covered in Pink as workers and officials from Government departments, businesses, families and friends marched through town early yesterday morning.
Special Administrator Labasa and Savusavu town council Vijay Chand thanked Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Limited (ANZ) for supporting their Pinktober event.
“I am very proud that we are once again involved in Pinktober, a cause we have been supporting for the past few years in Fiji to spread the word in creating greater awareness about breast cancer,” Mr Chand said.
“Pinktober is not only helping to raise funds but is also an opportunity to create awareness about cancer.
“Pinktober is also the month to commemorate those who had lost their lives to breast cancer and to celebrate the success of those who had survived it,” Mr Chand added. In support of the theme “No one fights alone”, he encouraged the continued support of Government and NGOs to strengthen partnership in creating awareness on breast cancer.
Speaking in relation to creating awareness on breast cancer, rectal cancer survivor Mitieli Baravi advised the public on the importance of women having early medical check-ups for the prevention of such diseases. Originally from Dogotuki in Macuata, the 53-year-old said: “I have been operated three times at the Labasa Hospital when I was first diagnosed with cancer in year 2015. “I was diagnosed late as I had reached stage four cancer.” Mr Baravi urged people to closely watch their diet. “Because as the saying goes ‘You Are What You Eat’.
“Also frequent medical checkups are important for early detection of cancer if signs and symptoms of cancer are evident,” he added.