When Alisi Angel Ravouvou Verevinaka was only three years old, her mother received the devastating news every parent dreads: cancer. Alisi, the youngest of four siblings, had been experiencing severe stomach pain and noticeable bloating, which her family initially attributed to dietary issues. However, a visit to the Nausori Health Centre in 2017 revealed a grave concern.
Doctors suspected fluid buildup in Alisi’s liver and promptly referred her to the Colonial War Memorial Hospital in Suva. For a week, Alisi and her mother anxiously awaited the results from a series of tests, including a CT scan. When the results finally arrived, Alisi’s mother, Alinda Alice Verevinaka, was called into a room where her life would take an unexpected turn.
“I was shattered when I learned she had cancer. As everyone knows, no one survives cancer,” she remembers. “Watching my three-year-old fight against this illness was incredibly difficult. I felt broken inside, but I told myself I had to be strong for her. I prayed relentlessly for her recovery and didn’t express any weakness in her presence.”
The diagnosis confirmed that Alisi had Wilms’ tumor, a rare form of kidney cancer, making her case only the second of its kind in Fiji. The medical team acted swiftly, initiating chemotherapy as Alisi’s condition worsened.
In the following three months, Alisi endured tough treatments, demonstrating remarkable strength for her young age. The family faced significant challenges during this period. Alisi’s mother noted, “It has been hard on our family because she is the youngest, and we have spent a long time away from home.”
Financial challenges compounded their struggles, as Alisi’s father was their sole provider. However, during this dark time, they found hope through the WOWS Kids Fiji charity. “At that time, we had limited resources, but thanks to family support, we got connected with WOWS. They assisted us with medical expenses, transportation, and food while we were at the hospital,” her mother shared. “WOWS made sure we had everything we needed during this difficult journey.”
In February 2018, Alisi underwent surgery to remove her right kidney and part of her liver. The operation was successful, but the fight was far from over. She needed to travel to Christchurch, New Zealand, for six weeks of radiation therapy to eliminate any lingering cancer cells.
Now, six years later, Alisi is cancer-free and thriving, embodying the resilience of a child and the unwavering love of her mother. She aspires to be a flight attendant, a dream her parents wholeheartedly support. “We will do our best to make her wishes come true,” her mother asserts with determination.
Alisi’s journey serves as a powerful reminder of a mother’s love, the significance of community support, and the strength of the human spirit. Her experience illustrates that, against overwhelming odds, hope and determination can lead to extraordinary outcomes.