13 Mar 2008

Tonga to launch support group for child cancer sufferers

4:24 pm on 13 March 2008

Tongans say the launch of the first Pacific Islands parent support group for children with cancer will make a big difference to the whole community.

The kingdom will launch the Child Cancer Foundation tomorrow in partnership with the New Zealand Paediatric Oncology Steering Group.

The Foundation will offer advice and financial help to parents whose children suffer from cancer.

A pediatrician and founding member of the Foundation, Dr Toakase Fakakovi, says the group will be of great help to parents as well as to doctors and nurses.

"For many years we've had families or parents with children with cancer who have to deal with cancer alone. [But now], there'll be people working in the Cancer Foundation who have a lot more information about child cancer and also parents who had experience that they can share and support these families."

Dr Toakase Fakakovi.