COMING from a poor family where his parents used to do dual jobs to support him, an emotional Netani Talei feels the pain of parents whose children are diagnosed with cancer.
Tavua-born Talei said he struggled through his life and sometimes things did not go their way.
He said his parents worked hard to push him through his rugby career and he was grateful that they were healthy.
"My parents had to do lot of things and they had to balance two jobs just to buy me rugby boots," he said.
"It is so painful and emotional to see small children suffering from cancer," Talei said in a trembling voice.
Talei is the latest personality to join Walk On Walk Strong (WOWS) save or shave campaign to raise money to help children with cancer.
"I am blessed in many ways to have a chance to give something back to my community," he said.
"I could have shed tears when I saw small children with cancer but I tried to be strong because I want to bring smiles on their faces."
Emotions were at height in the children's ward as former national 15s skipper Talei visited the children in the Colonial War Memorial Hospital (CWMH).
Seventeen-month-old Sevuloni Lasei is diagnosed with bone marrow failure and he will be one of the many children in Fiji that will benefit from this campaign.
His mother Asena Takayawa said her only son was going in and out of hospital since birth.
Takayawa said she was very disturbed by her son's condition and hospital was Lasei's second home.
She was thankful to Talei for taking time out in visiting the children which made them smile.
"This (Talei's visit) really means a lot to me because it shows that there are people who also care for the sick children in the hospital," Takayawa said.
Doctor Khalid Mahmood, a consultant paediatric, said he was dealing with 20 cancer patients at CWMH and the children were excited to see Talei.
"There is like a big party going on when children see these stars visiting them," Dr Mahmood said.
He said he could feel the happiness coming around with the personalities visit because it brought smiles on children's faces.
Talei's son, Jayden Talei said he was proud of his "daddy".
"I am happy that daddy is doing this," he said.
Wife, Alana Bentley said she was proud of her husband who was giving back something to the community of Fiji.
"This is for a great cause and we are happy and blessed that our children are healthy," Mrs Bentley said.
"I have always supported him (Talei) throughout his rugby journey and I will always support him in whatever he does."
Talei also presented his Pacific Nations Cup rugby jersey and rugby ball autographed by the national side to the children.
He flies out of the country tomorrow to join his club Edinburgh and he will shave his head at Edinburgh Rugby Club in Scotland on August 4.