Duo ride 190 kilometres to raise funds, awareness
TWO men left Nadi for Suva early yesterday on a three-day 190 kilometres “Cycle for Cancer” campaign to raise funds for a young family member battling leukaemia and also create awareness on the deadly sickness.
Participant Steven Andrews said this unique opportunity would allow them to inform Fijians of the importance of reaching out for help when a family member was inflicted with the disease.
“The awareness is basically getting people to understand more about cancer,” Mr Andrews said.
“For us as a family, we did not expect this to happen to a family member and when it did, we came to realise how this has very much affected us.
“While it’s a fundraising event, it’s also an opportunity for us to create awareness because many times, families of those suffering from cancer do not know that there are some support groups available and also organisations that can support them.”
The other participant, resort manager and former national cycling champion, Percy Ralovo, aim to raise $30,000 for their nephew, Christian Pesamino, who was diagnosed with leukaemia in November last year.
Mr Andrews said he returned home this week after three months treatment in the Philippines and is awaiting a donor before bone marrow transplant could proceed.
The duo stopped over at the Outrigger Fiji Beach Resort on Wednesday night and at the Pearl Resort in Pacific Harbour on Thursday before their final leg to Suva.
“I am grateful and humbled by the support from various organisations and particularly support from the tourism industry, those in Australia and New Zealand.
“We’ve almost reached the $20,000 mark and medical cost is quite expensive.”