Back, left-right:  Dr John Atherton, Dr Tanya Petaia, Amanda Lam, Rita Tugia-Enesa, Vaomalo Kini, Amy McCudden Front, left-right: Christine Goodman, Daryl Clarke, Si’uomatautu Tapelu

The Samoa Cancer Society has received civil society funding for a new information centre at Moto’otua. 

Cancer Society President Daryl Clarke says, “Cancer is the number two killer in Samoa.  People need to know more about lifestyle risks, like smoking, and how cancer can be detected and treated early, to save lives.  A cancer diagnosis is not a death sentence.  Prompt action can prevent or delay the worst effects.       

Daryl says, “Our new Centre will provide books, research articles and internet resources that can be consulted by health professionals and members of the public.  It will be open to visitors in September.  We are very grateful to the Civil Society Support Programme, which is run out of the Ministry of Finance and is supported through AUSAID and the European Community.  It would not be possible for us to provide these much-needed services without the CSSP’s assistance.”

The Resource Centre will be the base for an outreach programme, taking the message to villages and schools about prevention, and early detection and treatment of cancer.  Support groups and counselling will be offered to cancer patients and their families.

The Centre’s new Executive Officer is Christine Goodman, who brings experience in NGO leadership and project management.  She has worked extensively in government and the voluntary sector.  Christine was previously the Chief Executive of Interpreting New Zealand in Wellington.

The new Senior Community Nurse, Si’uomatautu Tapelu, comes to the SCS from four years at the Samoa Aids Foundation, where she managed the clinic, provided counselling and delivered education programmes.  Si’u is a registered nurse with a wide variety of experience in hospitals and clinics.

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