The Samoa Cancer Society (S.C.S.) marked ‘Sei Pua Day’ on Friday, an initiative designed to raise public awareness about all types of cancer.

The day is an annual event for promoting cancer awareness in Samoa and is matched by similar corresponding events held by cancer societies worldover. 

The societies have similarly flower-themed occasions as their international counterparts, such as Australia (which celebrates 'Daffodil Day') to honour those lost to any form of cancer.

The cancer society set up a stall in front of Vodafone Matafele on Friday to give out brochures both in English and Samoan about different types of cancer while also selling  fundraising a sei or a pot plant.

Prior to the event, S.C.S. also hosted an 80-day countdown to the main event with a campaign inviting the public to plant a frangipani flower in dedication to a loved one with cancer.

The S.C.S. told the Samoa Observer that the countdown initiative was designed to raise awareness about cancer's widespread effects within the community. 

The campaign - titled “Plant a Sei Pua-80 Days Countdown” - invited members of the community to not only pot a pua (frangipani) plant and either dedicate it to a loved one with cancer or donate it to the S.C.S. to be sold on Sei Pua Day.   

All donated pua pot plants will be sold on with all proceeds going to fund the society's ongoing work.

In a previous interview with the Samoa Observer, the S.C.S.' Chief Executive Officer, Su'a John Ryan, said Sei Pua Day is about shining a light on all types of cancer. 

He explained that they decided to start its campaign for the event early this year.

Su'a stated that it is a way to try and engage the community to show support for those who are suffering from cancer and for families that are providing support for those patients.

All the proceeds from Sei Pua day will go into the operational costs for the S.C.S to provide awareness campaigns and with their advocacy work.

He added that Sei Pua Day is also a day for the community to re-engage with the S.C.S. 

The campaign is a new addition to the society's annual fundraiser schedule with the aim of actively engaging the local community to support the S.C.S. and, by extension, those affected by cancer.

The S.C.S. also held an online campaign encouraging individuals to post images of themselves with their pot pua plant and a sei of their chosen pua and tag the society. 

Social media users were encouraged to post pictures of their flowers that can be labeled online with the hashtags #growhopetogether #seipuaday2021 and #samoacancersociety. 

The pua flower is in wide use as a daily fashion accessory for all occasions across Samoa and known for its alluring fragrance. 

Many have opted to use the readily available artificial flowers. 

For real plantations, the society is encouraging the use of recyclable plastic bottles and containers to house the flowers to minimise the campaign's environmental impact.