Save the lives of children with cancer in Zimbabwe

KidzCan soaring against all odds

KidzCan Zimbabwe continues to post impressive results in a tough environment with its mandate of helping children diagnosed with cancer.

We are a Humanitarian Child-Centered Private Voluntary Organisation dedicated to increasing the survival rate of children suffering from cancer and Blood disorders in Zimbabwe.

The assistance offered to patients includes transport allowances to ensure patients do not default, admission and discharge packs, assisting in diagnostic imaging, chemotherapy drugs, payments for Laboratory and Radiological Tests, provision of Eye Prosthesis, psychosocial support and nutritional support to vulnerable children suffering from cancer. These services are also offered on an individualised basis according to need.

 The last few months have seen KidzCan Zimbabwe intensify awareness programmes that are aimed at sensitising the public on the importance of early detection of childhood cancer and the subsequent treatment.

Parirenyatwa Hospital, which is the biggest referral centre in the country, houses the only paediatric oncology section that is fully supported by KidzCan through the provision of all childhood cancer related demands as alluded to earlier.

KidzCan Zimbabwe is happy to announce that recently two children went into remission having completed all their chemotherapy cycles. It is from such success stories that KidzCan continues to draw strength towards the complete eradication of a steep low survival rate of two out of every 10 against a contrast of 8 out of 10 in the developed world and already the initial phase targets to raise the survival rate to 60% by year 2030.  

Zimbabwe’s plight is illustrative of how thousands of low- and middle-income countries worldwide struggle to consistently supply chemotherapy drugs for children.

On the 4^th of February, KidzCan joined the world in celebrating World Cancer Day graced by World Health Organisation (WHO) Country Representative Dr Alex Gasasira, where various speakers including survivors gave speeches.

This was followed by more celebrations on the 15^th when KidzCan successfully led the country in celebrations to mark International Childhood Cancer Day (ICCD), which was attended, by partners, the public, the media fraternity and survivors.

Child cancer survivor chronicled her battle with bone cancer until she was healed, and the importance of the help she got from KidzCan, a story that touched many.

 KidzCan continues to lobby government through the World Health Organisation (WHO) for more support towards coming up with a strategy that should see better days for children on cancer treatment.

This should go a long way in reducing the burden.

Consequently, during the Orange Month this February, KidzCan has introduced robust cancer awareness campaigns in schools where the message on cancer has been articulated through lectures, banners and distribution of fliers.

KidzCan also sourced and donated wheelchairs to various patients who have mobility problems.

In addition, KidzCan has also roped in the media to complement these efforts by mainstreaming the issue of childhood cancer .An informed society can be better prepared to handle cancer once detected early. This is of critical importance against a background of a patriarchal society that is rooted in cultural and religious beliefs that often place value in the use of traditional herbs resulting in delays in seeking medical attention, and eventual divorce as parents blame each other due to lack of knowledge.

KidzCan continues to work on measures towards closing the gap in an environment with a constrained economic setup characterised by high inflation and little disposable income. This has seen an upsurge in the psychosocial assistance where in the past we have had to explain to parents whenever we have run out of drugs, not an easy task given that children can actually survive cancer if afforded the right attention at the right time. The impact of COVI-19 has also had a huge impact during lockdowns that has limited awareness programmes.

KidzCan Zimbabwe continues to soar in its various engagements across the country and this saw the organisation scooping an award for the Outstanding Cancer Relief Organisation of 2021 in recognition of the humanitarian work done for children with cancer around the country.

The awards are organised by the Zimbabwe Community News stable and are awarded to organisations who excel in their fields.

KidzCan has exposed the need for more effective understanding and support of childhood cancer in Zimbabwe and managed to debunk the various myths associated with cancer in children.

Thank you ALL for supporting Kidzcan through GlobalGiving. We trult value tyour suuport.

Links:

• https://www.suburban.co.zw/covid-is-here-but-cancer-doesnt-wait/
• https://healthtimes.co.zw/2022/02/01/many-countries-struggle-to-provide-chemotherapy-drugs-to-their-children-st-jude-wants-to-ch
• https://www.263chat.com/shot-in-the-arm-for-children-with-cancer/

This period for Kidzcan has continued in the same manner in which the year began with the organisation managing to fulfil its mandate in providing childhood cancer support. With the country still on lockdown, support to Kidzcan continues despite this new norm. Our fundraising dynamics have changed with our strategy being more direct asks than relying on face to face events which have since been banned due to covid-19.GlobalGiving has continued to be a source of financial support to Kidzcan helping the organisation  fulfil its mandate of supporting children suffering from cancer.

Dr Loyce and Dr Vongayi both returned from their 2 year Fellowship programme in South Africa, sponsored by Kidzcan and St Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis Tennessee, America. They are now qualified Paediatric Oncology Specialists and this will make a huge difference in the treatment on children at Parirenyatwa and Zimbabwe at large

Kidzcan partnered with Jet Stores Nationwide to promote childhood cancer with all staff wearing Kidzcan Orange bandannas for the month of September Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. Messaging on signs and symptoms was also be broadcast on their in house radio.

Alliance Media offered Kidzcan 3 billboards to advertise for the Month of September, of which two were static billboards and one digital. This again helped raise awareness and the brand of Kidzcan.

Kidzcan also partnered with the national broadcaster ZTV to air 2 minute daily snippets on childhood cancer for the month of September. These recordings were being done by the ZTV Children’s network, with content from Kidzcan, our oncology doctors and patients, looking at the various cancers signs and symptoms.

The director was also selected by SIOP Africa to speak on the challenges of childhood cancer faced in Africa in a short discussion interview recorded with the SIOP Africa Chair from Morocco. This was posted on their website and on posted on YouTube, celebrating September Awareness Month.

Kidzcan continues to assist all patients suffering from cancer in Zimbabwe with bus fares, admission packs, diagnostics and chemotherapy drugs, for without Kidzcan many families cannot afford the costs for treatment.

Many more children are now surviving cancer like Andrew who was a cancer of the eye patient and had his eye removed and had a prosthetic eye replacement. He was so excited when given the mirror he shouted “I can see” in his local language: Shona:. But what he was trying to say is that “I look normal. What a moment for everyone in the ward. Thank you again GlobalGiving partners for supporting Kidzcan.

Kidzcan continues to thrive due to the support from GlobalGiving partners. Please see the pictures that tell the story our the work we continue to do

Thank you

Please remember #cancer does not wait

Links:

• September awareness month