Online Reporter
Oliver Kazunga
Senior Reporter
ISLAND Hospice and Healthcare says the Zimpapers Cancer Power Walk has exponentially transformed Zimbabwe’s fight against cancer, raising awareness and resources that support thousands of patients in the country.
The Cancer Power Walk, whose 10th edition will be held on November 1, 2025, is an annual event organised by Zimpapers, not only to raise funds for cancer patients, but also to educate communities about early detection, treatment options, and support systems for patients.
Proceeds from the annual event, which is simultaneously held in Harare, Bulawayo, Mutare, Gweru, Chinhoyi, and Masvingo, are channelled into cancer awareness programmes and crucial palliative care services.
This year’s edition and forthcoming events running up to 2027 will be held under the theme, “United by Unique”.
And since its inception in 2016, the Zimpapers Cancer Power Walk has grown into a key fixture on Zimbabwe’s health calendar, mobilising communities across the country to take action against the disease.
In an interview, Island Hospice and Healthcare’s head of programmes, Mr Elias Masendu, said their partnership with Zimpapers over the past decade has made a long-lasting impact in the lives of many Zimbabweans battling cancer.
“Zimpapers has been an all-weather friend of Island Hospice. They have been able to amplify our voice through their media capacity in raising awareness on cancer prevention, treatment and palliative care services in Zimbabwe,” he said
“The funds raised through the Zimpapers Cancer Power Walk have enabled Island Hospice to extend home-based palliative care services across the country.
“Our teams, comprising doctors, palliative care nurses, and clinical social workers — deliver care directly to vulnerable patients in their homes, and this approach has helped ease the burden on overstretched health facilities while improving the quality of life for terminally ill patients.”
This year, Zimpapers has set an ambitious target to raise US$50 000 to support cancer patients, promoting early detection campaigns, and consolidating partnerships with local health institutions.
Over the years, the cause has been made possible through Zimpapers’ different corporate partners, stakeholders and individuals.
“Funding from the Cancer Power Walk has allowed us to visit patients, purchase medications, and provide much-needed home-based care.
“It has also supported our outreach clinics in underserved areas like Chikwaka, Mwanza, and Zimunya, where we are often the only provider of cancer-related services.”
In Zimbabwe, Mr Masendu said, the cancer burden continues to rise while funding for support services remains limited and the imbalance makes long-term partners like Zimpapers invaluable.
“The demand for our services is increasing, but our funding base hasn’t kept up. The support we receive through the Zimpapers Power Walk is a lifeline — it enables us to continue serving communities that would otherwise have no access to palliative care.”
Over the past nine years, the Zimpapers Cancer Power Walk has also served as a national platform for public education. Zimpapers has used its expansive media network — including print, radio, television and digital platforms — to drive home critical messages about early cancer detection and screening.
“Zimpapers has helped us get our message out there — that no woman should die of breast or cervical cancer, and no man should die of prostate cancer — because these cancers are treatable when detected early,” Mr Masendu said.
He said early diagnosis not only saves lives but is also less costly compared to late-stage interventions.
“Once the disease reaches stage three or four, treatment becomes expensive and often ineffective.
“That’s why awareness and annual screenings are so important,” said Mr Masendu.
