Chronicle Editor
Nobukhosi Ndlovu and Wilbrought Ndlovu, Sunday News Reporters
SCORES of people from all walks of life thronged the Bulawayo streets to take part in the eighth edition of the Zimpapers Annual Cancer Power Walk yesterday.
The event, organised by the country’s largest integrated media group, Zimpapers in conjunction with Island Hospice and Healthcare, started at 6am at the Chronicle building with participants partaking in a 5km walk and 10km run to generate community awareness of cancer, its testing, treatment and prevention.
Island Hospice Healthcare Palliative Care and Physician, Dr Natsayi Mujuru said the organisation was a beneficiary of the fundraising efforts that Zimpapers does through the Zimpapers Cancer Power Walk.
“We are here to support and encourage people to be active in looking after their health.
Diseases like cancer are non-communicable diseases meaning that they are not passed on or infectious, but how we look after our general health has to do with how we can prevent cancer,’’ she said.
Dr Mujuru said part of the cancer power walk was aimed at encouraging men to stand up and take part in issues that affect their health.
“November is a month for men and we usually call it ‘Movember’ and this is when we encourage men to grow a moustache and also keep a beard to show support in various men’s health initiatives like prostate cancer, testicular cancer and colon cancer research, mental health and suicide prevention, parenting and general health. I encourage men to visit their health care facilities and test for prostate cancer. Testing for prostate cancer is done through a blood test or a physical examination. Early detections help save lives,’’ she said.
Dr Mujuru further stated that the Cancer Power walks, held simultaneously in Bulawayo, Harare, Gweru, Masvingo, Mutare and Chinhoyi by Zimpapers, were impactful as the funds raised during the initiative help support people living with cancer and their families.
‘’We offer supportive care for patients living with life threatening diseases but cancer is the main disease that patients we look after have. We offer emotional support, spiritual support and we also help manage physical symptoms such as pain to our patients and their families. It is our mandate to stand with the family till the death of the patient and beyond death. I encourage every Zimbabwean to be empathetic to each other, not only in terms of cancer but also on mental health which is now a big issue in our communities. Let’s take care of ourselves and others because together we can make a difference,’’ she said.
One of the participants, Mr Sanangurai Mushove, said he partakes in the walks as a way of keeping himself healthy.
“As men we need to partake in these events so that we familiarise ourselves with issues that affect our health. It is important for men to share their feeling rather than bottling things as these can led to mental health issues. We need more platforms and more seminars for men whereby they can open up about issues that affect them,’’ he said.
Cervical cancer survivor, Ms Nobuhle Ndlovu who was also a partaker said she attends the cancer power walks to give someone hope and encourage them that having cancer does not mean life is over.
“I was diagnosed with cervical cancer 12 years ago and those were the worst days of my life because my only thought was, I am going to die, but when I started receiving treatment I was able to survive. If I was able to survive, you can also beat cancer,” she said.
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