Friends and family of an 18-year-old Rarotonga resident who is diagnosed with lymphocytic leukaemia will be holding a “Helava Walk for Life” fundraiser to assist with her further treatment in Singapore.

Early this morning, the family held a walk fundraiser that was scheduled to start at 6am from Terevete Park. The route followed the Panama shortcut, backroad Atupa, and Pandanus in Avatiu before returning to the park, in a bid to raise support for Valyla Hickes’ treatment.

Tupapa Maraerenga Member of Parliament and Culture Minister George “Maggie” Angene was expected to join the walk fundraiser.

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

She was referred to Singapore. 

After the first phase of treatment, Hickes has returned to Rarotonga to spend some time with her family and friends.

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

She said that while in Rarotonga, her daughter will be seen by doctors locally for regular check-ups and blood tests.

Hickes is due to return to Singapore on September 28 where she will undergo six more months of chemotherapy before returning home. Then she will have a year and a half of maintenance chemo followed by another six months of treatment.

Fimone explained that her daughter has a rare form of leukaemia, hence the treatment is being done in Singapore for three years.

The Helava Volleyball Club has also organised other fundraising events to assist in achieving their target foy Hickes’ upcoming treatment.

On Friday, August 16, they will set up a stall at the Youth Market followed by a Kava Night at Panama Hall on Saturday, August 24. On September 1, the club will be selling lovo/umu packs at $50 each, September 7 and 14 hot plate sale at Prime Foods, and on September 28, an Indian Buffet Night will be held at Panama Hall.