About 200 people braved the cold conditions at Namaka, Nadi, yesterday morning to be part of the annual ‘Walk and Talk Day.’

The event was organised by the Fiji Amateur Sports and National Olympic Committee’s (FASANOC) Women in Sports Commission and the Fiji Cancer Society (West).

One of the volunteers co-ordinating the event, Milika Marshall was impressed with the turnout as young and old walked from the NASA Army Camp in Namaka through the Civil Aviation Authority of Fiji (CAAF) compound.

“The objective is on the cancer awareness for the month of October and everyone goes pink and this generates interest,” Ms Marshall said.

She said a lot of work had been done in raising awareness against cancer.

“We need to talk more about it and that is what the Fiji Cancer Society is advocating on. The businesshouses are behind it, for example Lautoka ANZ Branch got balloons and painted their office pink to create more ripples in society.”

The members of the Nadi Rugby Referees Association (NRRA) were also in full force supporting the event.

NRRA member Patrick Gock said the referees’ uniforms were pink in colour, which was sponsored by Style and Beauty last year. It was to support the fight against cancer.

“It is not only for women, but men too because some are diagnosed for prostate cancer,” he said.

“It is good to see the referees bold enough to wear the pink jersey in public. Referee is not only on the field, but discipline off the field also and there are a lot of x-factors that surround us.”

Ms Marshall thanked Women in Sport (West), Williams and Gosling, Airports Fiji Limited, ANZ, Republic of Fiji Military Forces, APTC, Colour Explosion, Bullacinno, Motibhai, and Body Life.

Last week businesshouses and corporate organisations like Williams and Gosling, Fiji National University, APTC, InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort and Spa and Hilton Fiji Beach Resort and Spa helped organise the biggest morning tea in support of cancer.

According to Ms Marshall the Western Cancer Society is likely to elect their office bearers next year.

“At the moment we are all volunteers, but later on we will elect our office bearers and we are under national umbrella at the moment,” she said.

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