Almost 60 children are now receiving support from WOWS Kids Fiji.
WOWS Kids Fiji facilitator and coordinator Mere Williams said the organisation stepped in as soon as a child was diagnosed through the Colonial War Memorial (CWM) Hospital Paediatric Oncology Unit, helping families navigate the financial and emotional burden of treatment.
“We meet them, we provide a welcome pack for them, we engage with the parents immediately, we find out where they live and we assist,” she said.
Ms Williams said transportation remained one of the organisation’s biggest costs as children travelled from around Fiji for treatment.
“Transportation is a major cost for us – we provide transportation for all of our children around Fiji, wherever they need to go for hospital visits.”
She said WOWS also assisted with medication when chemotherapy drugs were unavailable and provided counselling through its partnership with Oasis Counseling.
The call was made during the WOWS Kids walkathon at Albert Park in Suva yesterday, marking National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month with a 4km walk and Zumba with Josh.
Ms Williams urged organisations to support awareness activities in workplaces and contribute through funding or volunteering.
“We always need funding, so if you are able to contribute to our kids, welcome to donate, come learn more about our organisation and volunteer,” she added.
She said continued community involvement was vital in ensuring families could focus on their children rather than the additional costs of treatment.
