The Cancer Society of New Zealand’s Relay for Life was held in Porirua to target Pacific Island communities, whose statistics for those impacted by cancer is alarming. According to the latest Ministry of Health statistics 1 in 3 New Zealanders are impacted by cancer and Pacific numbers are worse.
The Relay event is an overnight 17-hour event where team members take turns to keep the Relay going during the night, enthusiastically joining in activities and creating a vibrant atmosphere for team members. The all-nighter symbolises the never-ending battle cancer patients’ face. Founded by Dr Gordon Klatt, it started in 1985 in Washington, USA highlighting a need for greater funding in the fight against cancer.
The Porirua Relay exceeded all expectations from cancer societies all over the world. The Cancer Society NZ (Society) had not anticipated power of the Pacific Island strength of networking. Through its collectiveness Porirua engaged participation from teams from Japan, Samoa and Australia and received funds from former Poriruans in Washington, USA.
“This has never been done before in the history of the Cancer Society nationally or internationally. It is a testimony to Pacific Island communities around the world and the impact it can make on our societies globally,” says Kelly Atkinson, Project Manager Cancer Society.
The Relay was activated after a call to action in an article by Florence Faumuina-Aiono published in the Kapi Mana in May 2009. The article was about a team called the Primo Donnas from Arise Church who raced at the Wellington Relay in April 2009 and who came to the realization that the event had not properly reflected the Pacific community, which was afflicted the most by cancer.
“Our desire was to capitalize on that realization and move the Cancer Society forward in new strategies for Relay,” says team captain Rochelle Nafatali. The team had suffered unnecessary deaths and decided that preventative action was imperative for Pacific peoples.
The Society’s response was swift and effective formulating an executive committee team of local personalities to deliver the new Relay in Porirua. Hon Luamanuvao Winnie Laban patroned the event with Chair Sarah Tumai, Well Health Promoter of Tumai o te iwi and Publicist Florence Faumuina-Aiono were given the task to lead the team from the front.
Faumuina-Aiono quickly ignited the international flame through discussions with former Porirua residents around the world. Team captains were appointed in Samoa, Australia and Japan and frequently kept in contact through social media.
“As a Pacific Islander, I didn’t waste time in utilising our aiga networking system. I knew our people will get it and just get on with it and that they would do it well,” she says.
The timing of the sister cities was felt greatest in Samoa. The Samoan Cancer Society (SCS) had just released an article in the Samoan Observer about cancer being the second deadliest killer disease in Samoa when Porirua made their approach through team captain Taiai Pisa.
President of the SCS, Daryl Clarke, was pleased with the partnership given that Samoa has a limited awareness about cancer and the chance to participate in the Relay was important.
Clarke says, “Cancer has been something we have not often talked about or been high in the public consciousness so the event was very important from this point. It was wonderful for the event to be taking place in Samoa whilst at the same time, the same activity was happening in Porirua, Gold Coast and Australia.”
The Relay created a list of ‘firsts’. It was the first Relay in New Zealand to create sister cities through its networks. It was the first Relay held in Samoa and the first Relay in New Zealand specifically engaging the Pacific Island community.
Filming the Relay documentary for the Cancer Society, Director Chris Graham (Sione’s Wedding) was inspired by what he’d experienced. He had expected to see some emotion while shooting the documentary but says what he had experienced will always stay with him.
“ It taught me what community can really be, how strength & energy from a caring Polynesian community can create not only awareness, which is probably the most important tool of all, but also a movement of support to a collective of strangers who have the same struggle in common.”
Graham says seeing the cancer survivors and supporters run across the finish line was really something with kids crying for lost parents and whanau hugging in happiness of achievement was unforgettable.
“To be honest, I was once again reminded that we Euro-Kiwi's could learn something from our Polynesian and Maori brothers & sisters. That struck me when I heard how much support & fundraising took place with sibling support Relays that were being organised simultaneously in Apia, Tokyo and Sydney. That really is inspirational.”
The Society says that Relay differed from most, reflecting the community in a profound way, “What a buzz it was to be part of our new Relay event in Porirua, with a Pacific flavor. The drums, the singing, the happy faces and the many kilometres of walking. But behind the fun was a serious intent. That’s for us, in partnership with the Porirua community, on how we address the appalling cancer statistics in our Pacific and Maori communities” says Roger Taylor, Chief Executive Cancer Society Wellington.
Also providing funds from afar is former Poririan Rachel Ponini-Mano’o who supported the event from Washington USA, “I have lost friends and family to cancer and wanted to contribute a little to help the cause. Seeing others inspired and uplifted by the efforts of the Primo Donna team made me proud and want to give back to the place where I grew up, to our Pacific people and to the community as a whole.”
The impact of international linkages from the Relay has continued its momentum with the American Cancer Society wishing to forge a relationship with the Samoan Cancer Society and the Cancer Society of New Zealand sharing information to assist in Samoa developing their own resources.
Recent survivor and Porriua resident Leone Tiraa says, ‘For a first timer and a recent survivor, I was humbled by the generosity and love from our people in Porirua. Relay for life emphasized even more for me that, through this journey of fighting against cancer in my body, I will continue to laugh lots, forgive much and love many.
Story compiled by Janice Hy-Bee Ikiuia & Florence Faumuina-Aiono
The American Cancer Society and the International Relay Unit will be in New Zealand in July and will meet with members of the Relay committee during a special workshop being held in Wellington.
The Porirua Relay raised $90K (including funds from Washington, Australia and Japan). The Samoa Relay raised $45K Tala which will go directly to developing Samoa’s strategies.
International team captains:
Mireta Faumuina-David – Gold Coast, Australia
Taiai Pisa – Apia, Samoa
Perise Iupeli – Osaka, Japan
For further info go phone 0800 CANCER (226 237) or email info@cancersoc.org.nz
For more pics go to Brown & Around
