When a child is diagnosed with cancer the family has to change overnight and the priority becomes the life of that child, HRH Princess Nanasipau'u said today, stressing that supporting a child and family with cancer requires the involvement of the community.

As the keynote speaker in launching the Child Cancer Foundation of Tonga (CCFT), the Princess noted three main types of support were the practical family support, financial support and community awareness.

Speaking to an audience colourfully dressed in yellow to signify the important day, she stressed that family members of a child with cancer need special emotional and spiritual support during their journey especially if their journey ends, as so many do, in the death of a child.

"The challenges for the future are limited financial resources, lack of support and information. We can most certainly sit back and come up with abundance of excuses but giving back to the community has its rewards, amazing rewards, so let us support a child with cancer," she concluded.

The foundation, which was formed by a group of concerned parents of children suffering from cancer and medical doctors, has two confirmed child cancer survivors, Yukiko Nakao Afeaki (8) and Kulaea Lavaki (15).

There are five children who are still suffering from cancer, three who were present included Filipe Kaho (13), Semisi Sisifa (4) and Ikuna Vunipola (10). The other two are Tae Kami and Siola'a Hausi'i who are overseas.

Second cause of death

Dr Siale 'Akau'ola the Medical Superintendent at Vaiola Hospital said that 500 deaths were recorded in Tonga every year.

He said the number one killer diseases are heart problems, strokes and other diseases that we contract by living an unhealthy lifestyle such as not eating healthy food and failing to exercise.

The second killer disease is cancer, which is at 20 percent of deaths, claiming more lives than other diseases such as pneumonia, he said.

Simon Lala, the Chairman of the International Confederation of Childhood Cancer Parent Organisations, and former Chairman of Child Cancer Foundation of New Zealand, who was present at the ceremony, said over 200,000 children die of cancer worldwide and 20 percent of them do not have access to treatment. The Pacific Islands fall into that category.

"Our mission is that every child should get access to treatment and it is my personal goal as a New Zealander to see treatment coming into the developing countries in the Pacific and it is now coming into realisation."

"The Child Cancer Foundation of New Zealand congratulates you and we will work with you to provide practical support," he said.

Dr Jane Skeen, a Paediatric Oncologist and Board member at the Child Cancer Foundation of New Zealand presented a $2,000 pa'anga cheque and certificate to Moala Sisifa, the CCFT President.

Also present were had Dr Scott Macfarlane, the Chairman and Paediatric Oncologist and Gilli Sinclair the Executive Officer of a New Zealand-based Paediatric Oncology Steering Group who has been working in partnership with Tonga to find a way to develop services to assist in caring for children with cancer.

CCFT

CCFT is a new initiative set up at the end of 2007. It is now a registered legal entity consisting of nine founding members of parents who have lost loved ones to cancer and parents of children who are still suffering from cancer.

The President said they came together as a response to the need to support families whose children were suffering from cancer.

The foundation also has in place a 2008 Annual Plan and will hold fundraising, public awareness program, provide support for families in children with cancer and work out a plan for financial and medical support.

Members include Sinai Tu'itahi, Silia Grewe Tupou, Robina Nakao, Sina Kami, Taholo Kami, Dr Sione Latu, Mele Pongi, Dr Toa Fakakovi and Mele Lavaki.

Other cancer support groups in Tonga are the Tonga Breast Cancer Society and the Tonga Cancer Society.