What started as a small interaction over a cup of coffee in 2006 has today turned out to be the biggest cancer fundraising event in Fiji.
As Motibhai Group executive director Bhupendra Patel recalls, it was a mere coincidence that he happened to meet a group of Australian ladies at the Suva Central complex on one fine morning 17 years ago, when the idea of replicating ‘Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea’ concept was floated by the ladies to assist cancer patients in Fiji.
“A week later, the group visited our head-office in Nadi and all the executives agreed to go ahead with their proposal and thus the iconic ‘Bushells Fiji’s Biggest Morning Tea’ was born with very humble beginnings,” Patel added.
He said with the generous support of the friendly corporate neighbours in the airport vicinity and the greater Nadi business community at large, the first ever morning tea event to raise funds for cancer awareness and advocacy was held at the company car park at the old headquarters, which sits adjacent to the Nadi International Airport in Nasoso.
“Now seventeen-years later, this iconic event which we know as the Bushells Fiji’s Biggest Morning Tea has provided patient care and support and helped save the lives of thousands of patients over the years,” says Patel.
Speaking at the the event earlier this month, Patel said the initiative would not have been so successful without the overwhelming support of the business community and all stakeholders who have generously contributed towards this noble cause over the years.
The fundraiser collected FJD$23,000 at its charity donation drive this month, and aims to raise close to FJD$60,000 this year for the purchase of medical equipment to be used by registered cancer patients around the country.
“Our focus this year is to raise funds to purchase medical oxygen concentrators for Fiji Cancer Society (FCS) registered cancer patients who are in need of palliation,” FCS chief executive officer Belinda Chan said.
“Last year we had 186 patients accessing medical oxygen and this year until the month of May we have had 72 patients accessing medical oxygen,” Ms Chan informed.
“Although the number may seem small, the actual costs of hiring medical concentrators and medical oxygen tanks is very expensive.
“I guess it will be safe to say that based on last year’s numbers on patients assisted with medical oxygen and what we have assisted so far, this year we are probably looking at assisting a little over 200 people with medical oxygen.”
According to statistics revealed by the Fiji Cancer Society, an estimated 79% of deaths in Fiji are due to Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) and premature mortality from NCDs is rising.
Of these NCDs, cancer is the third leading cause of death behind cardiovascular diseases and diabetes.
