EDITORIAL: Public, Private Efforts Needed To Cushion WOWS Kids Fiji Financial Strain

WOWS Kids Fiji is undoubtedly carrying out a mammoth job in its involvement with children with cancer in Fiji.

However, many do not realise the strain on their finances when carrying out their work.

Yesterday the Fiji Sun reported a father Jone Tikoca praising the NGO for its work and this showed the appreciation of a family for the care of his daughter.

Ulamila Tikoca succumbed to brain tumor last year.

WOWS Kids Fiji’s work begins when the hospitals inform them that a child has been diagnosed with cancer.

Their work thereafter includes:

• Paying of two pharmacies – one in Lautoka and the other in Suva at the end of every month for medication taken by these children if the hospitals do not have it
• Transportation costs for bringing in children from the outer islands and rural areas when a review or treatment is due
• Accommodation costs for these children when they are in Suva or Lautoka for treatment
• In some cases, paying the air fares for these children whenever the needed arises
• If a child needs overseas treatment, WOWS Kids in some cases give up to $10,000 to the family to assist financially.

The sad story is WOWS Kids Fiji is not getting enough financial support from the public and private sector organisations for the mammoth task they carry out.

Each year, the organisation spends about $200,000 to help children suffering with cancer in Fiji receive their medicines, travel to hospitals from where they stay and while at the treatment centres have a place for them and their families to have a good night’s sleep.

Last year they received, through donations and fundraisers less than what they spent.

Last week, one of Fiji’s prestigious resorts, the Radisson Blu on Denarau Island showed its commitment to assist the cancer centre at the Lautoka Hospital.

This is the type of commitment needed to help keep this organisation afloat.

The real picture is if WOWS Kids Fiji are not supported financially, then children with cancer and their families will have an enormous task in getting them to hospital, paying for medicine at pharmacies and paying  for accommodation as they receive treatment.

These worries have been taken away from these families by WOWS Kids Fiji so that they could spend more precious moments with the sick child in the short life -span they have left.

The work can be described as an incredible effort which many of us take for granted.

Fiji has been known for its commitment by the people and organisations to step up and assist whenever the need arose.

This was shown after Tropical Cyclone Winston and the disastrous floods thereafter where people from all walks of life, both here and abroad gave unconditionally to those who were caught in the disasters.

Why can’t we continue that effort now and financially get behind WOWS Kids Fiji so that they can provide that comfort to these families, who have one of their children suffering from cancer.

Feedback:  charles.chambers@fijisun.com.fj