A CONCERT organised to raise funds for people living with cancer raised $4000 at the weekend.
More than 200 people rocked to the sounds of vude queen Laisa Vulakoro and her band at the Walk on Walk Strong (WOWS) Shave or Save (SOS) concert on Taveuni.
Twenty-five people attended the dinner, which sold at $100 per head while the rest of the money was collected from contributions and entry fees.
Business houses, civil servants, diplomats, volunteers, peace corp volunteers and even farmers took the chance to witness Vulakoro singing some of her well known hits and at the same time support the worthy cause.
Event organiser Coconut Grove Beachfront, Cottages and Restaurants owner Ronna Goldstein said she had been living in Taveuni for the last 23 years and seeing people pass away from cancer hurt.
Ms Goldstein said "cancer is everywhere but the people of Taveuni lack the information that it's curable let alone the hospital is the place where they can refer to". She said it was important the message was taken to the grassroots level so that people were aware of this.
"It is important that people have passion and compassion for children diagnosed with the disease."
She urged the people of Taveuni and the whole of Fiji to get behind the initiative and support cancer patients in Fiji and the Pacific.
Ms Goldstein said two of her sisters were diagnosed with breast cancer.
Garden Island Resort owner, Philip Mourais is expected to make a contribution of $1000 to the Fiji Cancer Society on behalf of his family.