Chronicle Editor
Flora Fadzai Sibanda, Chronicle Reporter
WHAT started off as a WhatsApp chat group involving three friends battling breast cancer four years ago, has today turned into a safe space for several Bulawayo women who are fighting the disease.
The co-founder of the WhatsApp group “CA Fighters and Survivors”, Ms Precious Mpofu said there were only three members in the group when they started in 2018.
Ms Mpofu said what prompted her to create the group was lack of emotional support after she was diagnosed with cancer. She could not get any organisation or individuals for counselling sessions.
Ms Mpofu met her two friends during her treatment. After winning the fight against cancer, Ms Mpofu and her two friends decided to extend the group to other women suffering from breast cancer.
In an interview yesterday, Ms Mpofu said the group povides support to all the fighters and survivors who could be facing depression.
“Because breast cancer can be depressing and very scary, the group is meant to provide support to the ladies and to show them that they are not alone. One can be depressed while fighting the disease or after surviving it,” she said.
Ms Mpofu said the group has more than 50 members, most of whom are cancer fighters.
“Whenever someone has a challenge with getting proper medications, which are quite expensive, they come to the group and are helped financially,” she said.
Ms Mpofu said there are some people from rural areas who have no internet so it becomes hard to get in touch with them.
“At times we even lose some of our friends without knowing because of the internet challenges,” she said.
Ms Mpofu said as members they also create time for each other during which they get together and spend time rewinding and sharing experiences.
“My wish is to have more people joining this group so that we are able to pool resources together to assist the needy,” she said.
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, an annual campaign to raise awareness about the impact of breast cancer.
In a global effort to raise awareness on breast cancer, the month has been designated as the Pink Month. During the month members of the public are educated on how to identify signs and symptoms associated with breast cancer.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), every year, breast cancer kills more than 500 000 women around the world.
Online Reporter