Apia, Samoa – 01 October 2024 – ANZ Samoa was pleased to show its support for this year’s Samoa Cancer Society’s Pinktober launch event.

The breast cancer awareness campaign was launched at ANZ’s main branch in Apia this morning and included a keynote speech by Samoa’s Minister of Health, Afioga Valasi Luapitofanua Toogamaga Tafito Selesele and attended by many in the community, including breast cancer survivors.ANZ Samoa

Country Head Sucharu Tandon said it was a special event in both ANZ’s and the Samoa Cancer Society’s calendar.“This is my second time hosting this event, but ANZ has been involved in this event for more than a decade. Since 2012 we have formed a close partnership with the Cancer Society, and I am proud to carry on this tradition. It is one of the many ways we support the communities we operate in,” Mr Tandon says.

At this morning’s event, ANZ Samoa announced a donation of WST10,000 to the Samoa Cancer Society. This is in addition to the total donations by ANZ of more than WST60,000 over the last 12 years. This is through a mix of corporate and staff donations, community fundraising, helping to fund things like patient support visits, awareness campaigns that is vital to the work of the Samoa Cancer Society.

Mr Tandon said while Pinktober is focused on breast cancer, it helps put a spotlight on other cancers and the importance of early detection and other preventative measures.

“These things are not nice to talk about but the messages around exposure, early detection and treatment are vital.

“The sad reality is that all of us will know someone who has been impacted by breast cancer – either directly or indirectly: a family member, a friend, a neighbour, a colleague, someone from the local church.

“That’s why it is so important we keep this conversation alive and not think about it once a year. Our way of doing that is wearing our pink shirt every week so the conversation remains top of mind.” Mr Tandon says.