Lady Alice Waena has urged the community to support Pink Ribbon Day which aims to raise awareness as well as funds for fighting women's cancers in Solomon Islands.

RAMSI and the First Lady's Charity is hosting a gala charity dinner tonight at the Honiara Hotel, to raise money for Pink Ribbon Day.

As Patron of Pink Ribbon Day, the Governor General's wife Lady Weana, said she cancer in women was an important issue that the nation needed to address urgently.

"It is very important for us to campaign and try to prevent earlier cancer in women, Most of our women don't know about cancer that is why awareness, education and support for our women in our villages and even in town is important."

The First Lady's Charity has started to look at how it could raise the funds to purchase expensive equipment needed for the basic diagnosis of such diseases Lady Waena said.

"Now that we are getting such wonderful support through the Pink Ribbon Day activities, we have a chance to get started on this new initiative and we are working closely with the Ministry of Health."

The Commander of RAMSI's Participating Police Force, Denis McDermott, said wanted to thank the community especially those corporate sponsors who have been so supportive of this year's fund raising dinner.

"It's a great opportunity for everyone to get together have some fun and support a good cause," the commander said "but we couldn't do it with out our corporate sponsors.

"We started with the first ever Pink Ribbon Day last year so its great that it is continuing and I hope that it is something that as RAMSI leaves the Solomon Islands Police might step in and support.

"That way every time the event is run each year, the money raised can go to helping Solomon Islands women combat cancer."

Acting Police Commissioner Walter Kola, said that Pink Ribbon was an important day and he hoped in the future the SIPF might own it.

"I like us to take this forward as an initiative of the SIPF," Mr Kola said

Traditionally, Pink Ribbon Day has helped to raise money for breast cancer research, but the Solomon Islands event will also include other forms of cancer affecting women.

All tables for the dinner have now been sold but individual donations to Pink Ribbon Day are still welcome. Pink Ribbons will be on sale to the public this coming Monday.


Press Release (RAMSI Media)