Tongan nurses in NZ and Australia support breast cancer awareness program [1]
Wednesday, July 25, 2012 - 18:13. Updated on Monday, September 9, 2013 - 18:40.
Hon Frederica Tuita (left) with Ma'ukakala 'Ofa from The Tonga Nurses Association of NZ.
The Tonga Nurses Associations of New Zealand and Australia, in support of a breast cancer awareness campaign in Tonga, made a donation of pink pins and ribbons to the President of the Tonga Breast Cancer Society Hon. Frederica Tuita today.
The month of October is set aside every year by the Tonga Breast Cancer Society (TBCS) to raise awareness by holding programs to stress the importance of early detection of cancer that could save lives of women in Tonga.
Ma'ukakala 'Ofa, a clinical nurse specialist, presented 250 pins from the Tonga Nurses Association of New Zealand and its Patron Violani 'Ilolahia Wills. Ma'ukakala said, they ordered the pins from Avon, the largest international sponsor of breast cancer.
"We are are happy to donate the pins and assist the important work of the TBCS in raising the awareness of breast cancer, among women in Tonga," she said.
Pink ribbons donated by the Tonga Nurses Association of Australia, President 'Ana Lolohea and Pele Lutui Palmer, were presented by the Chief Nurse at Vaiola Hospital, Sela Paasi.
Afuha'amango 'Amelia Tu'ipulotu, a Senior Sister at Vaiola and member of the TBCS, approached both the Tonga Nurses in Australia and New Zealand for the assistance during the second International Conference for Tongan Nurses held in Nuku'alofa, earlier this year.
She said they had already started holding breast cancer awareness programs on television. "October is our breast cancer awareness month and more awareness programs will be held then."
The presentation was held at the Women's Affairs office at Pahu, attended by TBCS Deputy President Polotu Paunga and members, including Christine 'Uta'atu.