Naseka Ronakuru did not think twice when asked if she would shave her head in solidarity with women suffering from cancer or who had lost their lives to the illness.

The 49-year-old Tanoa International Hotel executive housekeeping staff member and mother of three was joined by another housekeeping staff Iva Varo.

Ms Varo is 36 years old and a mother of two.

The duo shaved their heads during a Pinktober awareness event at the Tanoa International Hotel in Nadi on Saturday.

Ms Ronakuru said while she does not have a history with the disease she raised her hand because she had friends who suffered from it.

“We were having our morning tea when Daniel Roy (Tanoa International Hotel general manager) came around and asked who wanted to volunteer for the Cancer Pinktober celebration.”

“I agreed without thought. I was thinking of our friend’s sister going through breast cancer.

“That’s why I was willing to do it.”

“I have another friend but she’s a survivor and another whom I used to work with at Castaway who had a mastectomy. I think we should encourage the ladies and men in this fight.”

They need to value themselves and when they can feel something that is different, they should get diagnosed before it’s too late.”

So far, she’s received mixed reactions from her family.

“My seven-year-old son was not happy.”

However, she told her family and comforted her son of why she made the call.

“We can shave our heads and our hair will grow back. But for those suffering from breast cancer, it’s a difficult road and some do not make it. I want to encourage others to speak out instead of keeping it to themselves,” she said.

Mr Roy commended the two women for their decision.

“We have collected $3220 already for this initiative,” he said.

“We are hoping to hit the $5,000 mark.”

“I would like to thank the two ladies who put their hands up.”

Fiji Cancer Society representative, Margaret Rounds, thanked the Tanoa International Hotel for its financial support.

“Without your support financially, we wouldn’t be able to do a lot that we do now and we are so grateful for that,” she said.

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