WOWS Kids (Fiji) marked the end of Gold September on Wednesday night by lighting up its resource centre in Suva, drawing attention to childhood cancer and acknowledging the families, supporters and partners who have stood behind the organisation over the years.
Director Kimberlie Smart said the occasion was an opportunity to thank those who had supported WOWS Kids since its establishment.
Speaking at the ceremony, Ms Smart said September was observed globally as a month to raise awareness on childhood cancer.
“I want to thank everyone who has been there for us, from day one, from the doctors, the nurses, the business, the builders, the people that are here in the room,” she said.
“We have so many people that have been supporting us for so many years, and we are so grateful.”
Ms Smart said Fiji was the first to mark the occasion with the gold lighting, ahead of Australia and New Zealand.
She said the original plan had been to light up the Grand Pacific Hotel, but the hotel was already being lit red for the heart hospital.
“We’ll get all of our greatest partners in our resource centre to come and just do a lighting-up ceremony,” she said.
Ms Smart said the resource centre was one of the dreams of WOWS Kids founder Tae Kami.
“This was one of Ty’s dreams. She wanted a resource centre in the Pacific to be somewhere our kids from childhood cancer come and meet.”
The lighting ceremony brought together WOWS Kids supporters and partners as the organisation closed its Gold September activities and renewed its focus on children and families affected by cancer.
