Annual cancer drive tees off

 By KYMLIE KARANI

AS part of its drive to help raise money for the Port Moresby Cancer Relief Society, Oil Search launched the annual Daffodil Corporate Golf Challenge last week.

The challenge will be played on Aug 23 at the Royal Port Moresby Golf Club.

“This event has been a major fundraiser for the Port Moresby Cancer Relief Society and to all those it endeavours to assist with tremendous support from the business community as well as individuals,” Oil Search executive general manager external affairs and sustainability Gerea Aopi said.

Aopi encouraged supporters to join in helping raise money as much as possible to strengthen the work of organisations like the cancer society as it strove to provide much needed care and relief for the many men, women and children affected by cancer in the country.

An obvious achievement was the opening of a dedicated Cancer Ward (4C) at the Port Moresby General Hospital with money raised from the Daffodil Golf event in 2003.

As a result of that partnership, Oil Search was able to provide K50,000 in funding support towards the Half-Way House Project in Lae, Aopi said.

That 20-bed accommodation unit with toilets is an initiative of oncologist, Dr John Niblett of the National Cancer Treatment Centre and the Cancer Relief Society in Lae, to help accommodate cancer patients who receive chemotherapy or radiation treatment during the day and need a place to sleep at night.  Niblett said about 35% of cancer patients were referred from Port Moresby to the NCTC and the additional accommodation would greatly help patients and those from other centres throughout the country who did not have a place to stay in Lae. 

“Oil Search is pleased to support this new project and will continue to assist the Port Moresby and PNG Cancer Relief societies in their efforts to provide relief for our people and to overcome the battle against cancer through the Daffodil Corporate Golf Challenges in Port Moresby and in Lae,” Aopi said.

For details and to register a team, contact Port Moresby Cancer Relief Society Office Manageress, Ascenate Asi on toll-free cancer line 180 2009 or email [email protected]