Early Christmas for Cancer Patients

Christmas came early for cancer patients in the Western Division when Challenge Group of Companies donated a vehicle to Fiji Cancer Society Nadi outlet this week.

The vehicle is to help in the care of patients.

Group chief executive officer Salesh Kumar reaffirmed their commitment by ensuring that supporting communities including the society remains as one of its strategic pillars.

He said they were proud to be part of an organisation committed to enhancing the well-being of communities and making a difference in the lives of vulnerable and marginalised populations, particularly those impacted by cancer.

“At Challenge Group, we believe in more than just business; we believe in fostering hope, supporting resilience, and building partnerships that matter,” Mr Kumar said.

“We commend their dedication to research, education, and patient care, which brings us closer to a future where cancer no longer holds such power over our lives.”

He said the belief was the cornerstone of their founders - Suresh Patel, the late Vidya Ben Patel, and directors, Pretisha Patel, and Kapil Jekishan.

“We hope this vehicle will support the society in delivering vital services, helping them provide even greater care and support to communities in need. We are here not only as partners but as advocates standing by survivors, families, and the medical professionals working tirelessly day and night.

“Your courage, dedication, and resilience inspire us daily. Let us continue to walk in this path hand in hand, with hope, driven by compassion, and united in purpose.”

Society chief executive officer Belinda Chan said to date they had supported more than 332 patients between Sigatoka and Tavua.

“That’s through the services that we provide beside our patient-support services. The team goes into communities and conducts cancer awareness. They talk about prevention and how they can improve,” she said.

“Also to prevent risks for cancer but even more importantly, they conduct screening in the community, which is cervical screening, breast screening. The team works very closely with the Ministry of Health in the West and has seen over the months that it’s been difficult to reach these communities.

“The vehicle will help us get to those places, but even more, it will help us reach the underserved communities within the Western Division. There’s still a lot more communities that need to be covered and this is the only way we can do it. And for that, we are truly grateful and appreciative to the Challenge Group. This is something that means a lot to us and the impact it’ll have is going to be phenomenal.”

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