Ride for awareness

200km Nadi-Suva trip to help sick nephew with funds

TWO Fijians are preparing to cycle more than 200 kilometres from Nadi to Suva to create awareness on cancer in Fiji.

The funds they will raise will be for Christian Pesamino, a young man who is undergoing treatment for acute myeloid leukemia in the Philippines.

Castaway Island Resort general manager Steven Andrews and former Fiji representative cyclist to the South Pacific Games and Commonwealth Games Percy Navolo, will kick off their gruelling three-day fundraiser on Wednesday March 15 from Nair’s Dais in Nadi at 9am.

Mr Andrews said he was cycling for his nephew’s medical expenses and to highlight the impact of various forms of cancer on Fijians’ lives.

“As we know, cancer is one of the main concerning noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) around the world,” he said.

“The number of new cases is drastically increasing in Fiji, and unfortunately, cancer is the third most common cause of death in Fiji.

“The risk of developing cancer before the age of 75 years in Fiji is 16.7 per cent, while the risk of death from cancer before the age of 75 years is 10.2 per cent (International Agency for Research on Cancer).

“Through this cycling event, the Fiji Cancer Society will be involved in creating cancer awareness sessions at our three stop off points and will be highlighting on some of the preventable cancers whose signs and symptoms are easy identifiable (breast, cervical and prostate Cancer) along with leukaemia.”

He said all sponsorship support and donations could be deposited into the Bank of South Pacific (BSP) account number: 84489060 and account name: Nadi Wesley Church Cycling Ministry.

The SWIFT code is BOSPFJFJ and BSB number is 069 012.

Mr Andrews urged sponsors to email him on Steven.Andrews@ castawayfiji.com.fj once a deposit was made.

He said all sponsorships would be acknowledged with a receipt and certificate of appreciation and part of the funds collected would also be given to the Fiji Cancer Society.