International Lupus Day – 10th May 2023

  • Events, International Lupus Day 2023

International Lupus Day was very significcant for the Lupus Foundation of Fiji! Following on the heels of the audience with the new Honourable Minister for Health – the 10th of May 2023 was day of celebrating a new season in our journey! The biggest stakeholder (Government of Fiji), in the fight against this auto-immune disease commonly known as “Lupus”, came on board and made us the assuring promise of signing an MOU with us in the very near future! It was during that granted audience with the honourable Minister for Health and Medical Services – Dr. Ratu Atonio Lalabalavu, that our MOU was promised us, and the honourable Minister was also kind enough to accept our invitation to be our chief guest and officiate at our double celebrations on the 10 of May – which is universally celebrated as International Lupus Day and is also the Foundation’s birthday! We turned 4 years old in 2023. Not bad LFF! Keep Going … Onwards, Upwards!

The Honourable Minister’s sister was our Lupus Warrior Speaker on the Day!
The LFF’s Chair Mr. Ben Whippy delivers the Vote of Thanks.
Our Chief Guest and Keynote Speaker – the Honourable Minister for Health and Medical Services Dr. Ratu Atonio Lalabalavu.
One of Guest Speakers – Dr. Shrish Acharya who is the Head of Internal Medicine at the CWM Hospital and Lupus Warrior and LFF Board Member – Mrs. Rani Hassan, and the Deputy Executive Director of the Lupus Foundation of Fiji – Mr. Kaliova Turagaiviu.
One of LFF Trustees – Mr. Ernest Bogi Basilio and two guests.
Lupus Warrior Guest Speaker and Sister of the Hon. Minister for Health and her twin daughters along with Ms. Cema Bolabola – Member of the COC and a friend and staunch supporter of the LFF.
MLupus Warrior Mrs. Silo White Waqalala with her husband Isimeli and youngest daughter Marieta.
Ms. Cema Bolabola (center) with two Lupus Warriors Mrs. Merelita Tuisue (R) and the Honourable Minister’s sister (L)
The Director for the National Council for Persons with Disabilities (NCPD) – Mr. Lemeki Cagialau delivers his address.
Mrs. Julia Whippy (L) Lupus Warrior, Dr. Shrish Acharya (C) HOD Internal Medicine CWM Hosp., and Mrs. Salote Qalo (L) President of the Suva Cancer Survivors.
Cutting of our 4th Birthday Cake and also to celebrate International Lupus Day!
The Executive Director of PIANGO – Ms. Emaline Ilolahia (R), Member of the COC – Ms. Cema Bolabola (C) and the Executive Director of LFF – Ms. Una Tuitubou (L)
Mr. and Mrs. Serah Dahia and Executive Director of the LFF – Ms. Una Tuitubou.
A former Permanent Secretary for Health – Dr, Lepani Waqatakirewa with the Executive Director of the LFF – Ms. Una Tuitubou.
Ms. Una Tuitubou (R), former P.S. for Health – Dr, Lepani Waqatakirewa (C), and the Hon. Minister for Health – Dr. Ratu Atonio Lalabalavu (R).
The Hon. Minister for Health (R), Dep. Chair LFF – Ms. Maria Waloki (C), and Mrs. Salote Qalo – President Suva Cancer Survivors.
The LFF was granted its very first audience with the new Hon. Minister for Health – Dr. Ratu Atonio Lalabalavu, since its launch in May of 2019.
The President of FCOSS and Board Treasurer of PIANGO – Mr. Sepesa Rasili (R), Executive Director PIANGO – Ms. Emaline Ilolahia (2nd fm R), COC Member Ms. Cema Bolabola (3rd) and Executive Director LFF – Ms. Una Tuitubou (R).
Chair of LFF Board – Mr. Ben Whippy (R), Lupus Warrior – Julia Whippy (C), and Ms. Luisa Vodonaivalu (LFF Trustee).
LFF Board Chair – Mr. Ben Whippy (R), Lupus Warrior – Mrs. Julia Whippy (C) and LFF Trustee – Ms. Luisa Vodonaivalu (R)
International Lupus Day 2023 and LFF 4th Birthday
(From L – R) LFF Trustee – Mr. Enerst Bogi Basilio, President Suva Cancer Survivors – Mrs. Salote Qalo, HOD Internal Medicine CWM Hosp. – Dr. Shrish Acharya, Executive Director LFF – Ms. Una Tuitubou, and Director NCPD – Mr. Lemeki Cagialau.

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