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Rumbidzayi Zinyuke, Senior Health Reporter
CHILDREN battling cancer in Zimbabwe have received a significant boost with a donation of US$80 000 worth of medical supplies from TM Pick n Pay and CABS to KidzCan Zimbabwe.
This contribution includes essential chemotherapy drugs, greatly enhancing access to treatment for young patients nationwide.
In addition to the medical supplies, TM Pick n Pay provided KidzCan with a US$15 000 cash card to support the nutritional needs of children undergoing treatment.
These funds were raised during last month’s Orange Month, an initiative aimed at raising awareness about childhood cancer and mobilising community support for affected families.
The donation is in line with the TM Pick n Pay ethos of “doing good, is good business”.
TM Pick n Pay’s chief financial officer, Mr Gamu Nyamuzinga, emphasised the importance of this contribution.
He noted that their Orange for Hope initiative rallied community support, with customers contributing by buying orange cupcakes and merchandise.
“Through our Orange for Hope initiative, we have once again rallied together to support KidzCan.
“Our customers have shown incredible generosity by purchasing orange cupcakes and other merchandise, contributing to our collective goal of raising funds to provide essential support for these young warriors,” he said.
“We sold more than 120 000 cupcakes. It’s incredible to see how much people care about these children and their fight against cancer,” Mr Nyamuzinga said.
CABS’s chief financial officer, Ms Valerie Muyambo, reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to supporting childhood cancer treatment.
She highlighted that the donation represents not just financial assistance but hope for a brighter future for affected children.
“As we hand over this donation today, let us remember that we are not just providing financial assistance; we are offering hope and a brighter future to children suffering from cancer,” she said.
CABS contributed US$30 000 through its Swipe for Hope campaign, where a portion of every transaction at TM Pick n Pay stores in February was donated to KidzCan.
Mr Daniel McKenzie, executive director of KidzCan, expressed gratitude for the donations but pointed out a critical challenge: the lack of awareness about childhood cancer symptoms.
He stressed the importance of spreading awareness to ensure early detection and treatment.
“The challenge we still face in Zimbabwe is that many children, parents, communities, and even leaders do not realise that children can get cancer.
“If we can spread that message, then we have made a difference. If detected early, no child should die of cancer,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals received critical cancer medication for its gynaecology department from First Capital Bank Zimbabwe, in partnership with CancerServe Trust.
The donation, valued at US$5 000, included vital treatments for ovarian, prostate, and breast cancer.
Online Reporter