Manicaland walks for cancer

 

Moffat Mungazi
Post Reporter

PREVENTION and treatment of cancer — one of the major global health concerns — is among some of the most effective ways of nipping the disease in the bud and successfully tackling it.

Throughout October, voices for collective efforts to combat cancer are amplified during what is commonly referred to as the Pink Month.

The war has to be won at all costs because cancer is impacting the lives of many, directly or otherwise.

Lending a hand to this worthy cause is leading integrated media, commercial printing and packaging giant — Zimpapers Group — as it continues to walk the talk in raising awareness and fighting cancer.

The media house devotes acres of space in its various newspaper publications and copious amounts of airtime on its radio stations to the cancer fight.

Over the years, the organisation has been organising and hosting the annual Zimpapers Cancer Power Walk.

In both word and deed, Zimpapers remains steadfastly committed to stamp out cancer.

Last week on Saturday was no exception as multitudes turned up to participate in the eight edition of the Zimpapers Cancer Power Walk held in Mutare, Harare, Bulawayo, Gweru and Chinhoyi for a wider reach.

The event is a multi-pronged initiative designed to sensitise people on the disease that has affected and changed the lifestyles of many people. Crucially, it also gets to raise funds for the palliative care and treatment of cancer patients.

All proceeds go to Island Hospice.

In Mutare, the event saw scores of people from all walks of life turning up to walk, run and cycle for a worthy cause.

Participants took part in the 5km, 8km and 10km walks, starting off and finishing at Manicaland Motoring Club.

Activities of the day included free general medical checks, free breast cancer and prostate cancer screening and zumba.

The Zimpapers Cancer Power Walk in Mutare received technical support from the Manicaland Athletics Board.

 

 

At completion of the day’s formalities, the message had been driven home — everyone has a role to play in fighting cancer.

Speaking on the sidelines of the event, The Manica Post Editor, Mrs Wendy Nyakurerwa-Matinde said sensitising people on cancer is crucial in the fight the disease.

“As Zimpapers, we are using our influence as a media organisation to increase awareness on cancer. As such, we hold the Zimpapers Cancer Power Walk annually to sensitise people on the disease. The proceeds raised from the event go to our partner, Island Hospice and Healthcare, to cater for cancer patients’ palliative care and treatment.

“Knowledge is power. As a media house, we will diligently play our part in sharing knowledge and disseminating information on cancer. At Zimpapers, we are walking the talk on this noble cause.

“We are grateful for the support we received from sponsoring partners, technical partners and everyone who participated in the event to make it highly successful. Together we can win the fight against cancer,” said Mrs Nyakurerwa-Matinde.

Island Hospice and Healthcare branch coordinator for Mutare, Ms Alice Dube said preventing cancer or its early detection is the most effective way of combating the disease.

“While treatment of cancer must fully be supported, the most effective way of combating the disease is to prevent it or to detect it as early as possible. In this regard, awareness is very important. We encourage people to speak to their doctors, clinic or community health workers about how to prevent cancer,” said Ms Dube.

She said both men and women must go for regular screening for the major cancers–prostate cancer for men as well as breast and cervical cancer for women.

“Cancer is not a death sentence. It can be treated effectively if detected early enough. However, for cancer, as it is with so many things in life, prevention is better than cure. As Island Hospice and Healthcare, we work with doctors, nurses and social workers to provide holistic care that addresses patients’ physical, emotional, social and spiritual needs,” she added.

 

Ms Dube said Island Hospice and Healthcare is grateful to Zimpapers for continuing to support the fight against cancer through the annual Cancer Power Walk.

A local resident, Mrs Lorraine Hove said she has participated in every edition of the annual provincial event because she realises its importance after losing loved ones to the disease.

“Initiatives like the Zimpapers Cancer Power Walk are necessary as they go a long way in strengthening the fight against the disease through increasing awareness as well as providing the required resources by raising the much-needed funds for treatment.

“Everyone who partakes in this programme is a hero in one way or the other as their support is contributing towards ending cancer.

“Having lost relatives and friends to the disease, I appreciate the importance of such efforts,” said Mrs Hove.

Another participant who is suffering from prostate cancer spoke on condition of anonymity: “Kudos to Zimpapers for successfully organising the Cancer Power Walk. As a prostate cancer patient, I am among the people who are reaping the benefits of this programme as I have been assisted by Island Hospice and Healthcare to access palliative care and treatment; thanks to the funds they receive from Zimpapers through this initiative.

“Costs for cancer treatment are generally expensive, but through initiatives such as the Zimpapers Cancer Power Walk, resources are being mobilised and channelled towards taking care of the patients’ palliative needs. Such programmes must be emulated by other corporates so that the burden of treatment of cancer is lessened on the patients and their families.”

Breast Cancer Awareness Month is celebrated in October each year.

November is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month.

Prostate cancer is the most prevalent cancer among men, online sources say and add that one in eight men will have it at some point in their lifetime.