Supporting cancer patients

Cancer patients have increased both locally and internationally. The total number of new cancer cases recorded in Zimbabwe in 2009 was 3 519, 1 427 of which were males and 2 092 were females. In Harare, the total of those battling the disease was 1 616, consisting of 706 men, 910 women and 157 children.

In a bid to assist children and women affected by cancer, Kidscan initiated a programme to improve their quality of life.

“It is heart rending when grandmothers and mothers struggle to gain access to treatment and transport money for their children who have cancer,” said Whatman. “It is tough to be in hospital and when children are orphaned they really need a motherly figure in their lives.”

As a survivor of childhood cancer, Whatman has empathy for children with the disease.

“I remember when I was in hospital at the age of 10. I wanted to feel connected to the world.”

She encouraged women to be involved in improving the quality of children’s lives in that situation.

Whatman began her work with a group of women volunteers at Parirenyatwa hospital in the 90’s. She saw how it affected parents, especially mothers.

“It is emotionally and physiologically tough on the mothers and they need encouragement. At Parirenyatwa we offer a parent support group that helps to educate them on dietary requirements and the possible side effects caused by medication and treatment,” she said. Whatman also expressed frustration that lack of funding limited their initiative and called on corporate players to help.

Kidscan is a non-governmental organisation that concentrates on improving the provision of an early diagnosis and effective treatment of cancer in children.

Affected children and their families have access to a high standard of treatment and support, regardless of their place of residence or their socio-economic background.