13/08/2026
About the Christian Pesamino Leukemia Foundation
Providing hope, practical support, and compassionate care for individuals and families affected by Leukemia throughout Fiji.
The Christian Pesamino Leukemia Foundation was born from personal experience from navigating fear, uncertainty, and hope in the face of Leukemia. We learned first hand how overwhelming the journey can be, how quickly life can change, and how life changing the support of others can be.
Our mission is simple: To ensure that no family faces Leukemia alone.
Christian embodied adventure in every sense of the word. From his early childhood through to the young man he became, he retained the same mischievous sparkle in his eyes. He was always planning his next adventure, whether it was travelling with friends, joining a new sports club, or spending precious time with his nephews. He loved deeply, embraced life wholeheartedly, and had a remarkable ability to connect with people from all walks of life.
One of Christian’s lasting legacies began more than five years before his diagnosis, when he suggested that his parents and family establish a Grog Club, rather than simply gathering for kava and conversation. That simple idea grew into the Highly Effective Club, a close-knit group built on friendship, support, and service. Today, that same spirit forms the foundation on which the Christian Pesamino Leukemia Foundation has been built.
It was not until Christian was diagnosed that we truly realised just how many lives he had touched. Messages of encouragement arrived from around the world. Friends, workmates, sporting clubs, schools, churches, businesses, and complete strangers rallied behind him. Their generosity, prayers, and kindness became a source of strength for our family during our darkest days.
In November 2022, Christian was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) at Lautoka Hospital. From that moment, our lives changed forever. We were suddenly faced with life-changing decisions, urgent medical advice, and the enormous challenge of finding the best treatment available.
With the guidance of family members working in the medical profession, Christian travelled to St Luke’s Medical Center in Manila, Philippines, to begin specialised treatment. The journey itself was incredibly difficult, requiring multiple international transits while he was critically ill. Despite receiving outstanding medical care, further challenges soon emerged. Christian tested positive for the FLT3 gene mutation, making his Leukemia significantly more aggressive, while the search for a suitable bone marrow donor became increasingly difficult. Throughout this time, the financial burden of treatment continued to grow.
Yet even during these overwhelming moments, hope never disappeared. It came through the compassion of family, friends, churches, sporting communities, businesses, and generous individuals who stood beside us. Every prayer, every message, every donation, and every act of kindness reminded us that we were not walking this journey alone.
Although Christian lost his battle with Leukemia, his legacy did not end there.
Instead, it became the beginning of a new purpose.
The Christian Pesamino Leukemia Foundation was established so that the lessons we learnt, the compassion we experienced, and the support that carried us through could become a source of hope for other families facing Leukemia. We understand the fear that comes with hearing the diagnosis. We understand the uncertainty, the emotional exhaustion, and the financial pressures that follow. Most importantly, we understand how much difference one helping hand can make.
Today, the Foundation is dedicated to supporting patients and families through financial assistance, advocacy, education, emotional support, and improved access to treatment and care. We walk alongside families during some of the most difficult periods of their lives, ensuring that no one has to face Leukemia alone.
Every donation entrusted to the Foundation is received with deep gratitude and an equally deep sense of responsibility. We are committed to ensuring that every contribution is used wisely, transparently, and compassionately to bring hope, practical support, and encouragement to families who need it most.
We are especially grateful to the Cycle for Cancer team, the Paddle for Cancer organisers for hosting the annual paddling event in Christian’s memory, the Denarau Mariner Events Inter-Hotel Competition, and the many individuals, organisations, businesses, sponsors, volunteers, and supporters who continue to stand beside us. Together, they demonstrate the extraordinary difference a community can make when people unite behind a common purpose. Every paddler, volunteer, sponsor, donor, and supporter becomes part of a larger story—one that gives hope to families facing one of life’s greatest challenges.
Leukemia touches more lives than we can count, but so does hope.
10/09/2026
04/09/2026
13/08/2026
10/05/2026
06/03/2026
02/03/2026