Save the lives of children with cancer in Zimbabwe

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