Sundaymail Editor
Gender and Community Affairs Editor
Stakeholders in the annual Zimpapers Cancer Power Walk are upbeat about this year’s edition of the 10-kilometre charity run that will be held in six locations countrywide on November 5.
The main event is set for Old Hararians Sports Club in Milton Park, Harare; while Bulawayo, Kariba, Gweru, Mutare and Masvingo will also host the charity run.
The events start at 5.30 am.
Zimpapers (Zimbabwe Newspapers (1980) Limited) hosts the event, in partnership with Island Hospice, as part of its corporate social responsibility programme to raise awareness and contribute to the fight against cancer.
Island Hospice executive director Mr Mudiwa Mundawarara said: “The incidence of cancer in Zimbabwe is rising and anything that helps to bring attention to this fact and to the need for early detection is needed.
“The important message is that early detection is the best way to defeat cancer.”
Participants will pay a US$10 entrance fee. It is payable in the local currency at the prevailing interbank exchange rate.
Mr Roy Nyakunuwa, head of group marketing and public relations, FBC Holdings, the platinum sponsor of the run, urged the public to participate in the event.
“It is our expectation that this edition will continue to assist in educating the public on the cancers that are most prevalent in this part of the world as well as assisting those living with different variants of cancer,” he said.
“We have always associated with the Zimpapers Cancer Power Walk from inception. The communities we serve matter the most to FBC, and our involvement is part of our corporate social impact initiatives, particularly in the field of health.”
Premier Service Medical Aid Society communications and stakeholder relations manager Ms Paidamoyo Chipunza expressed optimism about this year’s event.
“As a funder and having to interact with patients on a daily basis, there are some conditions that we believe could have been managed had there been early detection. So, from experience, we seek to emphasise the importance of early detection of diseases and prevention through health risk assessments and mitigation measures,” said Ms Chipunza
“We are calling on everyone to come and support this worthy cause because there is strength in numbers. The louder our call for prevention and early detection is, the more likely we are to be heard.”
Sunny Yi Feng, Bata, Fusertech, National Aids Council, MicourVisions, ZITF, Amtec, Clean Zimbabwe, Randnet, Refresher Mineral Water, Karorina’s Wellness Spar and Wellness Medical Aid Society have also partnered Zimpapers for the event.
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