Honourable Minister for Health and Medical Services

Founders and Board Members of WOWS Kids Fiji

Members of the medical community from CWM and across Fiji

Business leaders, donors, and supporters

Our incredible WOWS volunteers

Most importantly—our WOWS children and their families

Ladies and gentlemen

Ni sa bula vinaka and a very good morning to you all.

A Gathering of Purpose and Hope

We are not here today for a formality or a launch alone. We are gathered here because across Fiji, a child may be quietly battling fatigue, pain, or weight loss—and neither their parents nor their teachers know that it could be the early signs of cancer.

We are here for them—for every child who is fighting cancer, for every family carrying that heavy burden, and for every healthcare worker, volunteer, and friend walking beside them.

We are here because we believe no child should fight alone.

The Legacy of Tae Kami

WOWS Kids Fiji began not with a board meeting, nor a government policy—but with a promise.

A 15-year-old girl, Tae Kami, facing the cruel reality of cancer, asked her parents to promise her something: that her experience would not be in vain. That her story would help others. That they would use her song—“Walk On Walk Strong” (WOWS)—to raise awareness and build something meaningful for children like her.

And that’s precisely what they’ve done.

Since its founding in 2009, WOWS Kids Fiji has become the only organisation in Fiji providing direct support to children diagnosed with cancer—supporting not only our local children but those who travel from across the Pacific seeking treatment.

WOWS pays for transport, medications, medical tests, nutritional care, counselling, recreational support—you name it. They walk the entire journey with these children and their families.

Today, in 2025, they are supporting 57 children, of whom:

• 17 are currently undergoing treatment
• 14 are in post-treatment recovery
• 9 are receiving palliative care
• And 17 have survived more than five years

Let us pause and acknowledge this remarkable, life-changing work. It is both a labour of love and a legacy of hope.

So Why Does August Matter?

Internationally, Childhood Cancer Awareness Month is marked in September.
But here in Fiji, we honour it in August—a month that holds deep significance, as it was on 16 August 2008 that Tae Kami left us.

So every August in Fiji, we not only raise awareness—we raise our voices, our hearts, and our commitment.

Childhood cancer is different from adult cancer. It’s not about lifestyle or environment. It can be difficult to detect. And tragically, far too many cases remain undiagnosed until it’s too late.

That is why this month, and every month, we call on parents, grandparents, teachers, and community leaders to learn the signs. Act early. Speak up.

Early diagnosis saves lives.

Government’s Role: A Partnership for Progress

The Fijian Government is proud to stand beside WOWS in this mission.

Through our three-year Memorandum of Understanding with WOWS Kids Fiji, the Ministry of Health and Medical Services is actively supporting awareness initiatives across the country.

This includes:

• The wide distribution of flyers, bookmarks and posters with early warning signs, to clinics, hospitals, and schools
• Awareness workshops, such as the recent one conducted with over 40 women from the Ba, Lautoka, and Nadi areas
• Continued medical engagement through our twinning programme with the Christchurch Paediatric Oncology Centre, which has provided expert advice since 2008
• And direct support from the Ministry of Women, Children and Social Protection, funding vital nutritional and care packs for affected children

These are not one-off activities. This is systemic, long-term investment in better outcomes for our children.

We must also acknowledge that while survival rates in high-income countries sit at over 80%, here in Fiji and other developing nations, we are still hovering around 20%. That is not acceptable. And it’s why we must continue to build capacity, improve access, and work as one.

Calling on the Private Sector

Now, I turn to you—our valued partners in the private sector.

You are not just here as donors—you are here as changemakers.

We encourage you to invite WOWS into your workplaces. A 15-minute awareness session could arm your staff with life-saving information. You could be the reason one child’s illness is caught early.

We also invite you to be part of the WOWS “Big Four” Campaigns:

• Shave or Save
• Gift Your Birthday
• The Great WOWS Walk
• Or through direct donations, in-cash or in-kind

Every contribution counts—no matter the size.

Media and Myth-Busting

To our friends in the media, you have a powerful platform. Please use it to help us spread truth and compassion.

Too many myths surround cancer—myths that cause fear, shame, or silence.
Cancer is not a curse. It is not contagious. It is not the fault of the child or the parent.

It is an illness. And it deserves our attention, our compassion, and our united response.

To the Families and the Fighters

To our brave children—you are warriors in every sense. You may be small in size, but your courage is greater than any of us can truly understand.

To the families—you are seen, you are loved, and you are not alone.

To the survivors—we celebrate you. Your journey gives hope to every child newly diagnosed today.

And to WOWS—thank you. For not giving up. For showing the rest of us what community, purpose, and resilience truly mean.

Our National Pledge

Today, as Deputy Prime Minister, I give you my word:
The Fijian Government will continue to support WOWS Kids Fiji through policy, funding, partnership, and advocacy.

We will not look away. We will not be silent.

Declaration

And now, with profound respect and full hearts, I formally declare:

August 2025 as Fiji’s National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.

May this month bring truth where there is ignorance.
Hope where there is despair.
And healing where there is hurt.

Let us all be the reason a child gets to dream, grow, and live.

Vinaka vakalevu. God bless our children. And God bless Fiji.