When Alisi Angel Ravouvou Verevinaka was just three years old, her mother’s life changed dramatically upon learning the devastating news: her daughter was diagnosed with cancer. The youngest of four siblings, Alisi experienced severe stomach pain and bloating, which her family initially believed was due to something she consumed. However, a visit to the Nausori Health Centre in 2017 revealed a much more serious issue.
Doctors suspected fluid on Alisi’s liver and quickly transferred her to the Colonial War Memorial Hospital in Suva. For a week, Alisi and her mother, Alinda Alice Verevinaka, awaited results from various tests, including a CT scan. When the diagnosis of Wilms’ tumor, a rare kind of kidney cancer and only the second case reported in Fiji, was confirmed, Alinda felt her world collapse.
“When I found out that she had cancer, I was broken. As we all know, no one survives cancer,” Alinda recalled. Despite her heartbreak, she resolved to stay strong for her daughter, praying for her life and never showing weakness in front of her little girl.
The treatment began promptly, with Alisi starting chemotherapy as her condition worsened. Over the next three months, she underwent difficult treatments, demonstrating remarkable strength for her age. The family endured significant hardships during this time, including prolonged absences from home and financial burdens, as Alisi’s father was the sole provider.
During this challenging period, they found support through the WOWS Kids Fiji charity. “We didn’t have much money at that time, but we received help from the family, and that’s when we were introduced to the WOWS family. WOWS has been a tremendous help with medical bills, transportation, and weekly supplies while we were in the hospital. They ensured we lacked nothing during this challenging journey,” Alinda expressed.
In February 2018, Alisi underwent surgery to remove her right kidney and part of her liver. Although the surgery was successful, the fight against cancer continued. Alisi needed to undergo six weeks of radiation therapy in Christchurch, New Zealand, to eliminate any remaining cancer cells.
Fast forward six years, Alisi is now cancer-free and flourishing, embodying the resilience of a child and the unwavering love of a mother. She aspires to become a flight attendant, a dream her parents wholeheartedly support. “We will try to fulfill her wishes,” her mother affirmed with steadfast determination.
Alisi’s journey serves as a powerful reminder of the strength of a mother’s love, the critical role of community support, and the resilience of the human spirit. Her story illustrates that even when faced with tremendous challenges, hope and determination can foster extraordinary outcomes.