Air Tahiti Nui Committed to Health with the Polynesian League Against Cancer
The Polynesian Branch of the “Ligue Contre le Cancer” (League Against Cancer) has been working for more than 20 years to inform, raise awareness, encourage screening, and support the people of French Polynesia affected by cancer. The League works every day to ensure that no one has to face this illness alone.
Above all, the organization serves as a valuable resource for all Polynesians evacuated to Paris for medical reasons (EVASAN) and for their loved ones. As part of its CSR commitments, Air Tahiti Nui supports the work of the Polynesian branch of the League Against Cancer.
Natacha Helme, chair of the committee, tells us more:
What does your organization do?
« We are a nonprofit organization and one of 103 committees, based in France and its overseas territories, affiliated with the National League. Our committee was established in 2006, and I have served as its president since January 2020, this is my sixth year in the role. Our main missions are:
- to inform the public,
- to raise awareness about cancer, screening, and prevention,
- and to support Polynesian patients throughout their entire treatment journey: before, during, and after, including those who are medically evacuated to Paris. »
How does Air Tahiti Nui support you in your efforts?
« Air Tahiti Nui has always been very supportive of us by enabling us to travel regularly to Paris to attend meetings with the National League Against Cancer, particularly the conference of committee chairs, which took place last year. I was able to attend a very interesting symposium on research projects focusing on diseases that are very common in French Polynesia. Particularly breast cancer, which is the leading cause of cancer in women here. We also discussed other cancers, such as uterine cancer, which is a devastating disease, and we talked about two conditions that receive much less attention, myeloma and sarcoma, which affect younger people.
I’d really like to thank Air Tahiti Nui because the Business Club Against Cancer is running a project we’ve called “Rapprochement familial” (“Family Reunions”): a program that allows families of patients undergoing long-term treatment to visit their loved ones, helping patients regain some energy, strength, and courage to fight the disease. »
What are your most notable projects conducted recently?
« In 2025 and 2026, Air Tahiti Nui’s support enabled us to reach and assist our Polynesian patients who had been evacuated to France for medical treatment. It is essential to visit them and provide them with comfort and support.
Thanks to this partnership, which covered their airfare, we were also able to help families reunite. This was the result of the “Relais pour la Vie” (a walk and run to benefit the fight against cancer) and the family reunion project.
This partnership has also allowed us to host our partners from Paris (Te Ramepa Ora and Te Aroha no Paris) on two occasions to further develop the topic of EVASAN (emergency medical evacuation). »
What are your plans for the future?
« We will, of course, continue to promote prevention information to businesses. We also plan to focus our attention on other goals:
- Expanding our efforts to help former patients get back to work,
- Organizing the next edition of our flagship annual event, Relais pour la vie 2027,
- Increasing our presence among the island communities. »
Do you have any advice for our readers?
« Nutrition is the main risk factor, followed, of course, by tobacco, alcohol, and a lack of physical activity. A sedentary lifestyle is a risk factor. All of these contribute to the population’s increased risk of cancer today. It’s important for everyone to be aware of this.
Three years ago, we established the Business Club Against Cancer, and Air Tahiti Nui is a member. Recently, we held a presentation for the airline’s staff to provide as much information as possible about the risks, screening options, and prevention methods. Take care of yourselves and be mindful of your habits! »
Air Tahiti Nui is committed to the fight against cancer in French Polynesia
Air Tahiti Nui was one of the first Polynesian companies to voluntarily commit to a corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative. In 2026, an informational and awareness-raising conference was organized for the company’s employees in collaboration with the Polynesian Committee of the League Against Cancer. In addition, employees participate each year in the “Pink October” campaign through various initiatives on flights, across the company’s communication channels, and in its office: flights staffed entirely by women or decorated in Pink October colors, sharing information to raise awareness about screening, wearing pink ribbons, and more.
Follow the work of the League Against Cancer in Polynesia
Visit the Facebook page “La Ligue Contre Le Cancer _ Comité De Polynésie” or the “Relais pour la Vie – Polynésie Française” page to stay up to date on the association's latest news and to contact the committee members.
Photos : Comité De Polynésie de La Ligue Contre Le Cancer
