Press Release

Collaboration and partnership are the guiding principles of the American Samoa Community Cancer Coalition to help people of American Samoa overcome barriers within the cancer care continuum. And due to a partnership with ACE American Industries, another organization that is committed to community service, some people affected with cancer will have some sign of relief during this holiday season.

ACE wanted to extend it's reach out to the community because of the economic downtown and the devastating tsunami that hit earlier in 2009. But they wanted to try something different and to try to fundraise for a charity or non-profit organization that it feels has done some great things for the community. For their first effort, they chose the ASCCC.

Cancer is often referred to as a ‘disease of old age’ because it primarily develops during the 40’s and 50’s and becomes symptomatic in the 60’s and 70’s.  However, cancer is also known as the ‘disease that does not discriminate’. It can develop at any age, despite race, ethnicity, social or economic status.

Loretta Talolo was diagnosed with breast cancer earlier this year at the age of 29.

The American Samoa Community Cancer Coalition (ASCCC) is hosting an outdoor kick-off event — “Tasi le Ola” — for women this Saturday, May 23, at Utulei, from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon.

ASCCC, a non-profit, non-governmental, community-based organization, was funded by the Pacific Center of Excellence for Eliminating Disparities (PCEED) Legacy grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to develop an innovative 5-episode radio drama focusing on breast cancer prevention and education for women over the age of 40 years old.

The radio drama “Tasi le Ola” (One life) encourages women to make their health their priority by following fictional characters who overcome realistic health challenges.

Supportive of a smoke-free environment, Gov. Togiola Tulafono nevertheless vetoed the “American Samoa Smoke Free Environment Act” citing concerns with the bill’s contradictory infraction provisions and the rights of a good portion of the local workforce to enjoy the health benefits of a smoke-free workplace.

Both the House and Senate passed each other’s version of the “American Samoa Smoke Free Environment Act” regulating “the habit and practice of smoking in certain public and private places.”

It was the House version submitted to the governor that he then vetoed on Oct. 30 and returned to the Fono with a cover letter citing his concerns.