Love is Bigger Than Cancer - Matavai Pacific Cultural Arts
Matavai Pacific Cultural Arts will be marking Pinktober breast cancer awareness month with the ‘Love Is Bigger Than Cancer’ event, at the Mangere Arts Centre in Auckland this Thursday. The event aims to raise awareness and funding for the Samoa Cancer Society and the Tonga Breast Cancer Society to assist in the fight against cancer in Samoa and Tonga.
'Love is Bigger than Cancer' is in its second year after the inaugral event was held in Apia last year and raised $10,000 tala. Matavai co-director Maryjane Mckibbin Schwenke who is also a former Miss Samoa and Miss South Pacific had taken a group of young people from the group back to Samoa to kick start the awareness campaign.
The event was attended by the Samoan Deputy Prime Minister and various cabinet members as well as supported by local businesses, families and friends who have all been affected by this disease.
Dedicated to Manamea Schwalger who passed away early last year from the disease, Mary Jane had vowed to continue her campaigning for better breast cancer awareness and help for women with the disease in Samoa.
"I promised Manamea that I would help continue her legacy of spreading awareness about breast cancer and cancer itself. Currently there is no registry for cancer in Samoa however last year alone 140 or so people in samoa were diagnosed with this disease. Manamea believed that in order to fight cancer in our islands it takes the collective efforts of many, from government to private sectors to villages and Samoan people everywhere.
Prevention is better than cure, when there are more spreading the message of being vigilant with health checks etc them more lives could be saved. We are here to remember all people afflicted with this illness. We know the work of Samoan cancer society is crucial in getting the word out and we are here to support their work."
For more information on the Samoa Cancer Society and what to look out for in Breast Cancer click on their website here
"Love is Bigger Than Cancer"
When: 03rd October 2019
Where: Mangere Arts Centre- Nga tohu o uenuku
Time: 12.30pm Matinee performance & 6.30pm Evening show (Canapes served)
Tickets: https://www.eventfinda.co.nz/2019/love-is-bigger-than-cancer/auckland/mangere
