Talent Gore
KIDZCAN Zimbabwe has teamed up with leading Zimpapers radio station, Star FM, to raise awareness of childhood cancer and the importance of early detection.
A campaign took place on Tuesday at the corner of Sam Nujoma Street and Churchill Avenue, with Star FM broadcasting live by the roadside during its popular breakfast show from 6am to 9am.
The campaign provided information on the signs and symptoms of childhood cancer alongside interviews with childhood cancer experts and parents of children who survived the illness.
September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, with the global month-long celebration designed to raise awareness of the fact that children can get cancer.
KidzCan Zimbabwe has previously worked with 16 community radio stations on their awareness campaigns and offers to cover all treatment costs once a child has been diagnosed with cancer.
KidzCan Zimbabwe volunteers handed out fliers with childhood awareness literature.
Daniel Mackenzie, the KidzCan executive director, said they had been on several radio stations in an effort to share information on the signs and symptoms of the different types of childhood cancers.
“September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. It’s a month that is celebrated globally to raise awareness that children do get cancer.
“We have been celebrating and going gold as in wearing a golden ribbon throughout the month of September,” he said.
Mackenzie said they had been fortunate to partner 16 community radio stations, but their campaign went a gear up on Tuesday when they featured Star FM.
“Through the National AIDS Council, we have managed to partner with 16 community radio stations around the country.
“We have been working with them and again sharing our story where they have given us airtime throughout this month of September just to raise awareness.
“If a child or children get cancer, they can be treated if presented early and so we are saying that early detection is the best protection.”
Mackenzie urged parents and communities to hold more discussions around childhood cancer, emphasising that if detected early, no child should die of cancer.