Taking the Childhood Cancer Gospel to Church

KidzCan Zimbabwe has called for childhood cancer awareness among youths in business in order to promote early detection as well as create a generation that has a sense of responsibility so that they can make a difference in their communities.

Speaking at the Africa Day commemorations in Chitungwiza at the Salvation Army Church, Harare Eastern Division Youth Business Forum 2022, KidzCan executive Director Daniel Mckenzie urged the youths to know more about childhood cancer.

He outlined the state of affairs in childhood cancer in Zimbabwe where late presentation and delayed detection are rife, a situation that calls for organisations that run professionally so that awareness programmes can be undertaken.

“As you make strides towards entrepreneurship, you need to operate above board.

We, as an organisation account for every dollar, even that one dollar you use to park the car in town. People need to see and know exactly where every dollar they have contributed is going. It is about upholding your mission, your vision and strategy, being transparent.”

“It is important when the youths get to know about childhood cancer, a foundation that fosters early detection,” said Mckenzie.

Childhood cancer can be disruptive to the normal schedule of young patients and therefore it is important for youths to appreciate its impact on fellow youths and support them.

Mackenzie also explained the new building project for KidzCan, which took off in November 2021.

“Imagine we have a patient from Victoria Falls taking a bus at 6 pm to Parirenyatwa Referral Hospital for chemotherapy, arrives in Harare at 6 am and spends 4 hours on a drip and at 6 pm they are on the same bus back home.”

“She has been doing this for the past two, and half years every six weeks, and yet she needs to recover for another cycle, hence the home we have started to build in Harare, and we want you to be part of it. We have different partners coming to sponsor a room where you also get branding rights when we finish.”

“The home will accommodate 30 patients so that when they come for treatment they have somewhere to put up. All we are saying is that there are many ways to make a difference. We believe that we do not try to make a difference, we make a difference,” said Mckenzie.

Mackenzie further explained the meaning of the KidzCan colours and the use of the bandana.

“We wear orange because it is a happy colour, a tint of hope.

And the bandanas, because part of the side effects of treating childhood cancer is that our children  lose their hair, and while in hospital they cover the head so they do not look different and when we visit  we do this in support, an act of solidarity” said Mackenzie.

Mackenzie explained that 75% of the KidzCan budget is locally funded which therefore calls for hard work and a responsible generation that cares for others.

“It is against this background that the youth ought to work hard so they can assist in making a difference. It is possible to raise huge figures if all come together to make a difference.

I always say we may not be able to change a life but together we can make a difference. As youth we should always strive to do things that make a difference,” said Mckenzie.

The event, which attracted 700 youths from across the country, was meant to capacitate as well as develop youths who can make a difference in the community.

Business executive and farmer Jeffrey Mutonga also chronicled his inspirational story of how he extracted himself from a poor background, and yes, it is possible for the youths of today to do the same.

Mr. Enoch Chiwawa of The Salvation Army church who organised the event echoed the same words, encouraging the youth to strive towards excellence.

“You need to formalise your businesses and employ professionalism in your work, that way success will be guaranteed, said Chiwawa.