A safe space for cancer survivors
SALOTE Qalo has been a strong advocate for women cancer patients around the country for more than a decade.
The 74-year-old was diagnosed with stage one breast cancer in 2014 after noticing a lump on her breast.
However, she counted herself lucky because she did not have to go through any chemotherapy treatment.
“I was really lucky to have had the support of the Fiji Cancer Society (FCS), nurses and doctors at the Colonial War Memorial (CWM) Hospital back then,” Ms Qalo said.
She became the president of the Suva Cancer Survivors group in December 2021.
She said the support group’s aim was to provide a haven and safe space for women cancer survivors and share their experiences in Suva and Sigatoka.
“Over the years I have been sharing my experiences with cancer patients, and I did that during Pinktober morning tea events as well.
“I share my story so that people are educated on the signs and symptoms of various cancers such as breast and cervical cancer which are the most recurrent cancer and most common cause of cancer deaths among women in Fiji.”
She said she had been enjoying her work visiting cancer patients during outreach programs.
“It has been really fun because I didn’t know anyone when I came in here as I belonged to a different social group and it has been very heartwarming.
“Some highlights would be going around with these women during our outreach programs and visiting all the cancer patients, survivors and their careers.
“Since being here in this space, I have formed new friendships, new way of thinking and have also met some new families.
“Recently we went to bury someone who had oral cancer and it was really overwhelming because we met his family, his wife and it was very sad seeing one of our friends pass on from cancer.”
She said while spending time with FCS and Suva Cancer Survivors, she met a lot of courageous women.
“I have met a lot of courageous women. “Hearing stories from women I have never heard in my entire life; the stories shocked me sometimes.
“I always encourage the ladies to contribute their ideas on how we can grow our little group to reach out to more people on cancer.
“They continue to show up and whenever we have to go out to communities, they are always supportive and would come with me.”
Ms Qalo said women were more likely to have severe effects from cancer treatments such as chemotherapy compared with men.
She said this was the reason why women formed the support group Suva Cancer Survivors to create a positive environment for women cancer survivors and those who were going through treatments.
The ladies also meet twice a week for aqua fitness classes at the Suva Olympic Pool and call themselves “mermaid warriors”.
“Whenever the ladies and I meet, we encourage each other.
“After our pool sessions we often meet back at our office in Pender St and we talk and catch up.”
With donations from sister organisations such as Bula Broads, Penguin Community Op Shop, Penguin District School in Australia, Pure Fiji, Vaiwai and more, the group has continued to give back to community through their community outreach programs.
The ladies have donated reading books to school children and provided sparkle bags filled with head scarves and body lotion packs to women in the Oncology ward at the CWM Hospital.
“I think that not a lot of women including the men have access to correct information on cancer affecting women.
“My main message to people is to get checked early for cancer and also attend more awareness events in the communities.”
Ms Qalo said for this very reason, the
Suva Cancer Survivors group has earmarked Fridays as its community outreach day.
“Everything we do work here for the benefit of the cancer patients and survivors. We often look for donors so that our women are taken care of.
“Every Friday we try to go to a school and donate books or out into the communities to share our experiences with cancer and educate women on how to test for breast cancer and so forth.”
She said she would continue to work with relevant organisations in the country to support women who were diagnosed with cancer.
“When I was diagnosed with cancer, I didn’t really think that I would be involved for a very long time until now.
“This position that I have, I consider myself lucky because I can make a change and I will.
“I think I will be working here until my last breath,” Ms Qalo said.