‘Helava Walk for Life’ aims to raise funds for cancer treatment

Friends and family of an 18-year-old Rarotonga resident diagnosed with lymphoblastic leukaemia will hold a “Helava Walk for Life” fundraiser to help her receive further treatment in Singapore.

This morning, the family held a fundraising walk, which was scheduled to start from Terevete Park at 6 a.m. The route passed through the Panama Shortcut, Atupa Country Road and Pandanus in Avatiu before returning to the park, aiming to raise funds for Valyla Hickes’ treatment.

Tupapa Maraerenga MP and Culture Minister George “Maggie” Angene is expected to take part in the walk and fundraiser.

Hicks was diagnosed with lymphoblastic leukaemia in January this year and had to travel to Fiji urgently for treatment.

She was introduced to Singapore.

After completing the first phase of treatment, Hicks returned to Rarotonga to spend time with family and friends.

Hicks’ mother, Marissa Fimone, who accompanied her to Singapore, said: “She has learned the true meaning of family and love. Our loving Heavenly Father and Savior is truly merciful, loving and amazing. It has been a beautiful journey of healing.”

She said while in Rarotonga her daughter would visit a local doctor for regular checkups and blood tests.

Hicks will return to Singapore on September 28, where she will undergo another six months of chemotherapy before returning home. She will then undergo maintenance chemotherapy for a year and a half, followed by another six months of treatment.

Fimone explained that her daughter had a rare form of leukemia and had been receiving treatment in Singapore for three years.

The Helava Volleyball Club has also organized other fundraisers to help reach fundraising goals for Hicks’ upcoming treatment.

On Friday, August 16, they will have a stall at the Youth Market, followed by a kava night at Panama Hall on Saturday, August 24. On September 1, the club will sell lovo/umu packs for $50 each, host a hot plate sale at Prime Foods on September 7 and 14, and on September 28, Panama Hall will host an Indian buffet night.