Online Reporter
When the sun rises on November 1, the streets of six Zimbabwean cities; Harare, Bulawayo, Mutare, Gweru, Masvingo and Chinhoyi, will come alive with thousands of people walking with purpose.
From the seasoned marathon champion to the ordinary Zimbabwean who has never run a mile. All will be united by one goal: to raise awareness and funds for cancer care.
Over the past decade, and in partnership with Island Hospice, the Zimpapers Cancer Power Walk has grown from a modest corporate wellness activity into one of Zimbabwe’s largest citizen-led public health movements.
At its core, the Power Walk raises money, but its true value goes far beyond dollars. The event transforms collective empathy into tangible support for Island Hospice, Zimbabwe’s flagship palliative-care organisation, ensuring that patients who cannot be cured still receive pain relief, counselling and dignity in the final chapters of life.
It is a day when fitness, philanthropy, and compassion stride side by side, when every step taken becomes a contribution to better care for those living with cancer.
Zimpapers acting chief executive, officer Mr William Chikoto, describes the walk as more than an event. It is a statement of corporate citizenship and national unity.
“This 10th edition is not just an anniversary; it is a reaffirmation of who we are as a responsible corporate citizen. Through the Cancer Power Walk, Zimpapers continues to promote good health and well-being, aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 3 that seeks to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all,” he says.
Since its launch in 2016, the initiative has raised and donated over US$106 000 to Island Hospice, enabling home-based palliative care and outreach services across the country. This year’s edition, themed “United by Unique”, aims to raise US$50 000 and attract more than 3 000 participants, combining walking, cycling, Zumba, aerobics, and marathon challenges.
But the real impact of the Power Walk lies not in the kilometres covered, but in the lives touched.
Zimbabwe, like much of Africa, faces a growing cancer burden. Recent estimates indicate more than 7 000 new cases and nearly 2 000 deaths annually. Cervical and breast cancers remain the leading killers of women, while prostate cancer dominates among men.
Cancer is not just a distant disease. It is in everyone’s families, schools, churches and workplaces. Behind each diagnosis lies a story of financial strain, delayed treatment and the emotional toll of caregiving.
Health experts continue to emphasise that early detection, vaccination, and community awareness are key to saving lives.
And this is where the Power Walk transcends symbolism, becoming a true intervention. Through the funds raised, Island Hospice has expanded its reach, particularly in rural communities where cancer services are scarce.
Beyond the financial support, the walk has also helped to normalise conversations about cancer and palliative care.
In many communities, cancer remains shrouded in silence and stigma. Fear, misconceptions and resignation often deter people from seeking screening or treatment. But events like the Power Walk help shift that narrative. They create visibility, showcasing survivors who have fought and won, families who continue to care and healthcare workers dedicated to easing pain.
Every banner, every radio jingle, every shared photograph challenges old myths and replaces them with messages of courage, science and solidarity. With its vast media footprint across print, radio, television, and digital platforms, Zimpapers gives this campaign unmatched reach, influencing public opinion and encouraging preventive health behaviours.
The event also reinforces national efforts such as the Zimbabwe National Cancer Control Plan (2025–2030), which calls for improved screening, diagnostics and access to palliative care. When communities rally together, such strategies gather real momentum.
Cancer is not only a medical condition, it is a social and emotional battle. Families often shoulder the heaviest burden, providing round-the-clock care while facing financial and psychological strain. Palliative care offers them respite and dignity, focusing on quality of life rather than mere survival.
Yet palliative care is still widely misunderstood as “giving up” once treatment stops. In truth, it is about managing symptoms, relieving pain, supporting families, and preserving dignity alongside curative therapy.
Island Hospice stands as a model of community-based palliative care tailored to Zimbabwe’s realities. Yet demand continues to outstrip supply.
Estimates suggest that a significant portion of Zimbabweans will need palliative care in their lifetime. From cancer, HIV/AIDS or other chronic illnesses. The Power Walk, by channelling funds to Island Hospice, supports the training of nurses, provision of pain relief and maintenance of outreach programmes that allow people to live and die comfortably.
