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Rumbidzai Mhlanga, Sunday News Reporter
SCORES of people yesterday turned up for the annual Zimpapers Cancer Power Walk aimed at encouraging healthy lifestyles and raising awareness about cancer.
The campaign, organised by Zimpapers in partnership with Island Hospice, was held simultaneously in Bulawayo, Harare, Mutare and Kariba and ran under the theme “I am and I will”. Zimpapers General Manager for Digital and Publishing, Mr Marks Shayamano said the organisation will spread the campaign to other cities next year.
“This initiative started in Harare and we spread it to Bulawayo and Mutare in 2018 and this year we went as far as Kariba. We hope next year we do it in more cities as this is a national cause. As Zimpapers we are partnering Island Hospice for the purposes of communicating with the community for disseminating information on cancer since there are numerous cancers that have come up, so we take it upon ourselves to make sure that the public is well informed about that through our newspapers and radio stations. All the proceeds raised from this event go to cancer programmes,” he said.
A representative from Island Hospice Miss Busi Mashiri told participants that it was important to get tested for cancer regularly.
“As we all know cancer is becoming the most common disease especially in Zimbabwe and it is the most expensive, long term, most painful and the most difficult disease to manage. So, I would like to thank all of you for acknowledging the pain and struggles that people with cancer go through.
“I would also like to urge you to stay fit, eat well and go for regular tests to ensure that you are not diagnosed with cancer late.
“The earlier you are diagnosed the higher are chances for treatment but if you get diagnosed late the only thing left would be to go for palliative terminal support, so do not wait for cancer to spread in your body.
“Do the right thing to reduce the number of cancer cases in Zimbabwe. Thank you all for coming to support us and supporting this campaign as well as supporting cancer patients. A special thanks to Zimpapers for arranging a tribute on our behalf to support cancer patients in Bulawayo,” she said.
The Bulawayo event was supported a number of corporates. Participants took part in three events, a 5km walk, a 10km fun run and a zumba fitness session.
Winners got medals, T-shirts and bandanas. The event was held at Coghlan Primary School.
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Londile Moyo