The Founder – Andrea Whatman

The story of Andrea Whatman is primarily centered on her personal triumph over childhood cancer and her subsequent dedication to helping children in Zimbabwe battle the same disease through her organization, KidzCan.

Personal Background and Survival

Andrea’s journey began in the 1960s when, at the age of 10, she was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. At the time, such a diagnosis was often considered a “death sentence,” and doctors reportedly gave her only two months to live.

• Recovery: Despite the lack of modern treatments like bone marrow transplants or advanced chemotherapy at the time, she survived. She spent roughly three years in the hospital intermittently and took nine years to fully recover.

• Professional Life: Before her full-time commitment to charity, Andrea studied art in Durban and worked as a graphic artist and studio manager in the advertising industry for 10 years.

• Motivation: Her personal experience of isolation and fear in the hospital—and her later realization that many children lacked basic pain relief and medication—drove her to take action.

The Founding of KidzCan

In the 1990s, Andrea began visiting the paediatric cancer ward at Parirenyatwa Hospital in Harare to read stories to children. Her volunteer efforts evolved as she witnessed the dire lack of resources.

• Initial Discovery: She was moved to expand her work after discovering that the oncology ward sometimes had nothing more than paracetamol to manage the extreme pain of children undergoing treatment.

• Evolution: What started as a simple volunteer program (initially called Pari Volunteers) was officially registered as KidzCan Zimbabwe (Children’s Cancer Relief) in 2009.

• Impact: Under her leadership, the organization grew to provide chemotherapy drugs, diagnostic tests, and psychosocial support to families who otherwise could not afford specialized cancer care.

Continued Resilience

Recent reports highlight Andrea’s ongoing personal bravery. In addition to surviving leukemia as a child, she has navigated subsequent battles with eye cancer and breast cancer. As of early 2024, she was noted for her resilience while facing a diagnosis of liver cancer, continuing to serve as a “champion” and inspiration for the childhood cancer community in Zimbabwe