The ManicaPost
Rudo Muchedzi
Zimpapers in partnership with Island Hospice and Healthcare is inviting all Zimbabweans to this year’s edition of the Group’s Annual Cancer Power Walk scheduled for this Saturday in Mutare, Harare, Bulawayo and Kariba.
The initiative, which traditionally features a 5-kilometre walk, will this year include a 10km run in Harare with the first three runners getting free accommodation and meal vouchers courtesy of Cresta Hotels.
Participants will also have a Zumba session afterwards and a chance to undergo health checks which will include HIV tests, breast examinations, and blood pressure and diabetes checks from service providers on site.
In Harare, the event will take place at Old Hararians Sports Club, Mutare at Manicaland Motoring Club; in Kariba at Nyamhunga Primary School while in Bulawayo it will take place at Coghlan Primary School.
In a statement, the Zimpapers Group Public Relations and Corporate Communications Manager Ms Beatrice Tonhodzayi said the walk is all about raising awareness around cancer. She said cancer has become a cause of concern with most deaths that are occurring being linked to cancer.
This was one of the reasons why Zimpapers in 2015 entered into an MoU with Island Hospice which saw the Group availing space across its platforms; radio, newspapers to cancer and health issues.
Studies kept showing that cancers were fast becoming a problem with all kinds of cancer coming up and these affect men, women and children.
While traditionally, Zimbabweans had become familiar with cervical cancer, breast cancer, prostate cancer, karposi sarcoma and others, lately people are succumbing to pancreatic cancer, cancer of the colon, rectal cancer and many others.
“We, therefore, realised there was need for people to be aware of this new threat. Cancers and other non-communicable diseases known as lifestyle diseases have become a real issue.
“What we eat, how we look after our bodies are now big issues. We need to live healthy lifestyles and to exercise and that is how this whole partnership was entered into,” said Ms Tonhodzayi.
She said the introduction of the run was in line with the fitness and living healthy mantra.
“We are calling on runners to sign up for this cause. But now you get to run not just for your health and fitness but for the cause as well.
“We have all been affected by cancer in one way or another. Relatives and loved ones are dying all around us. We even have colleagues being diagnosed with cancer.
“There are stories of fighting cancer and stories of surviving which can inspire many others. We cannot afford not to be concerned,” she added.
