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Blessings Chidakwa-Herald Reporter
Health and Child Care Ambassador, First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa, has called for unity in the fight against childhood cancers, describing affected children as “brave fighters” and urging early screening so that every child has the chance to live, grow, and dream.
Childhood cancers have become a growing public health concern, prompting Dr Mnangagwa to launch a nationwide Child Cancer Awareness Programme in Harare yesterday.
Mother Zimbabwe led a lively march for cancer awareness from the Mbuya Nehanda Statue to Harare Polytechnic College, with streets alive with the laughter and cheers of thousands of learners from various schools.
Children moved in orderly lines, holding colourful banners carrying cancer awareness messages.
One of the banners paid tribute to the late 13-year-old Adrian Gurumbadza, who recently succumbed to Wilms’ tumour, a type of cancer common in children. It read: “In loving memory of Adrian Gurumbadza and other brave little warriors who fought valiantly against cancer.”
As children chanted joyfully, accompanied by the soulful melodies of the police band, the atmosphere buzzed with energy a celebration of hope, unity, and the fight against childhood cancer.
The event, supported by the Ministry of Health and Child Care, the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, and Discovery Ambulances, also offered health screenings for learners, including checks for blood pressure, sugar levels, height, and weight, while medical practitioners provided health education.
Learners hold high a banner paying tribute to the late 13-year-old Adrian Gurumbadza, who recently succumbed to Wilms’ tumour a type of cancer common in children during the cancer awareness march in Harare yesterday.
After the walkathon, the First Lady, Patron of the National Cancer Task Force, addressed multitudes at Harare Polytechnic College, saying children’s health, especially for those affected by cancer, is very close to her heart.
“I carry with me the voices, the tears, the courage, and the hopes of many families whose lives have been affected by this scourge. This issue of cancer has now become a true pandemic,” she said.
“The types of cancers affecting our children include leukaemias, lymphomas, cancers of the kidney like Wilms’ tumour, cancers of the eye such as retinoblastoma, brain and nervous system tumours, bone cancers, and others.” Dr Mnangagwa also went down memory lane, narrating the journey of the late Adrian, a boy from Manicaland who succumbed to Wilms’ tumour a few weeks ago, describing him as full of promise, full of life, and full of dreams.
“His journey was a reminder of the courage our children show even in the face of great pain. Adrian’s passing affected me deeply because I was able to be with him during his final moments. He shared his wishes with me as a mother, and I tried to support him in every way I could, but God willed otherwise. I realise that his passing is not just a statistic; it is a wound to his family, his school, his community, and to us as a nation,” she said.
In honour of Adrian and all the children whose young lives have been lost to cancer angels gone too soon all attendees stood up and observed a minute of silence.
Mother Zimbabwe said, “May Adrian’s brave fight strengthen the resolve to act early, act together, and act with compassion, so that no child is lost because help came too late.”
The First Lady said that health experts explain childhood cancers differ from adult cancers, and since their causes are often unknown, they may not be prevented in the same way.
Thousands of learners take part in the cancer awareness march from the Mbuya Nehanda Statue to Harare Polytechnic College yesterday.
“This makes early detection our strongest and most effective weapon. When cancer is detected early and treatment begins immediately, the chances of survival are high. In wealthy countries, more than eighty percent of children with cancer survive,” she said.
“Some of these cancers show early warning signs: unusual lumps, persistent pain, unexplained fever, weight loss, bleeding or bruising, swollen glands, among others. When families, teachers, caregivers, and health workers know these signs, we can respond faster and save lives.”
The First Lady also encouraged mothers to seek medical attention quickly so that children can grow up strong and healthy.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health and Child Care, Dr Aspect Maunganidze, representing Minister Douglas Mombeshora, said childhood cancers are now a priority under the recently launched Zimbabwe National Cancer Control Plan (NCCP) 2025–2030, which addresses the growing cancer burden in the country.
“We are pleased to share that our MRI and CT scans at Parirenyatwa and Sally Mugabe Hospital are giving the required diagnostic services for those who need to be treated. We are working towards decentralising services.
“It’s very important that you get the proper diagnosis, and in particular, staging, where your CT scans are life-saving. We are involved in early screening and referral from communities to district hospitals, and we have seen through your work that more people are coming for screening, and we are very grateful.”
Dr Maunganidze also saluted the First Lady’s Angel of Hope Foundation partnerships, among several others, such as KidzCan, in the fight against child cancer. “We have a dedicated paediatric oncology unit at Parirenyatwa, and we have seen your help in making sure that the mothers and those who are afflicted are also assisted, especially with accommodation, as most of them come from very remote places and are lost in our Sunshine City, yet they will need to take care of their children on hand.
“As Zimbabwe, we are aligned with the WHO Global Initiative for Childhood Cancer, and the aim of this initiative is to strive for a minimum of 60 percent survival rate by 2030, but we can’t do this alone, and we are very grateful that you have been a champion to mobilise partnerships to make the ministry deliver on its mandate,” he said.
Learners follow proceedings after the cancer awareness march from the Mbuya Nehanda Statue to Harare Polytechnic College yesterday.
Dr Maunganidze said the Ministry of Health also offers specialist treatment for those affected by cancer, including surgeries to remove the cancer, as well as chemotherapy and radiotherapy at the main referral centres of Parirenyatwa and Mpilo.
Deputy Minister of Primary and Secondary Education, Dr Angeline Gata, paid tribute to the First Lady for her commitment to the welfare of young children, emphasizing that every child deserves a happy and healthy life.
“Childhood cancer is a painful reality, but it also reveals incredible strength the courage of our young warriors, the love of their families, and the education of health workers and educators who stand by them,” she said.
“We affirm our commitment to supporting every learner and ensuring that even those battling illness remain connected to education, to friendship, and to hope. We will continue to spread the hope, the knowledge, and the kindness until no child suffers in silence and no family fights alone.”
Dr Gata said the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education will continuously support the initiative.
Health personnel attend to learners at Harare Polytechnic College during the cancer awareness march yesterday.
“We will be there for you. We are so deeply honoured to stand with you today as we unite in love, compassion, and hope for our brave children who are fighting cancer.
“Your leadership, Your Excellency, reminds us that every child deserves care, dignity, and a chance to live a full and happy life,” she said.
Deputy Minister Gata also paid a special tribute to the First Lady, whose motherly heart continues to inspire the nation through her tireless advocacy for health and the well-being of children.
“I remember very well you had a program that we were supposed to attend. You broke everything at that moment in time to go and see Adrian.
“This is where your motherly instinct kicks in. No matter what you were going to do that day, you dropped it and went to do it that way,” she said.
Health personnel offer counselling to learners on ways to improve their body mass index (BMI) after the cancer awareness march from the Mbuya Nehanda Statue to Harare Polytechnic College yesterday.
Minister of State for Harare Metropolitan Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Charles Tawengwa, said the march is a reminder that child cancer awareness must focus on early detection and community engagement.
“It reminds us that child cancer awareness must be anchored early through detection, community education, and culturally sensitive care,” he said.
Harare Mayor, Councillor Jacob Mafume, also applauded the First Lady for her well-thought-out initiative, describing her as an effervescent person full of enthusiasm.
Through the Child Cancer Awareness Programme, the First Lady aims to build a supportive community, raise awareness, and bring hope to children affected by cancer. Her efforts underscore the power of compassion and her enduring motherly instinct.
According to the Ministry of Health, the most common childhood cancers in Zimbabwe are leukaemia, retinoblastoma, and renal tumours (Wilms’ tumour).
Other significant childhood cancers include lymphoma, neuroblastoma, and Kaposi’s sarcoma. High mortality rates are often linked to delayed diagnosis and limited access to treatment.
Peter Tanyanyiwa