Early this morning, the familyheld a walk fundraiser that was scheduled to start at 6am from Terevete Park.The route followed the Panama shortcut, backroad Atupa, and Pandanus in Avatiubefore returning to the park, in a bid to raise support for Valyla Hickes’treatment. Tupapa Maraerenga Member ofParliament and Culture Minister George “Maggie” Angene was expected to join thewalk fundraiser.
Hickes was diagnosed with lymphocyticleukaemia in January this year and had to urgently travel to Fiji for treatment. She was referred to Singapore. After the first phase oftreatment, Hickes has returned to Rarotonga to spend some time with her familyand friends.
Hickes’ mother Marisha Fimone,who accompanied her to Singapore, said: “She has learned the true meaning offamily 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 bloodtests. Hickes is due to return toSingapore on September 28 where she will undergo six more months of chemotherapybefore returning home. Then she will have a year and a half of maintenancechemo followed by another six months of treatment.
Fimone explained that herdaughter has a rare form of leukaemia, hence the treatment is being done inSingapore for three years. The Helava Volleyball Club hasalso organised other fundraising events to assist in achieving their target foyHicke.