Zimpapers in cancer awareness campaign

ZIMBABWE Newspapers (Zimpapers) in partnership with Island Hospice will on Saturday host its annual cancer power walk to raise awareness on the importance of early cancer detection and preventative lifestyles people can adopt.

As a build up to the event, Zimpapers will today hold a Takkies Day, which has since become an annual event on its corporate social responsibility programme.

In an interview yesterday, Zimpapers public relations and corporate affairs manager Ms Beatrice Tonhodzai said all employees will come to work dressed in their formal wear with sneakers as a way of increasing awareness on cancer.

“This way, the Zimpapers family will contribute to a serious cause in a fun and uniting manner. The day sets the tone, so this Saturday, the 4th of November, at Old Hararians Sports Club, we are having our annual cancer campaign walk,” said Ms Tonhodzai. She said the five-kilometre power walk will start at 6AM. Ms Tonhodzai said apart from increasing awareness on cancer, Zimpapers also sought to mobilise resources for cancer response.

“This is one of the activities in which individuals, corporates, friends and supporters should just come on board and walk against cancer,” she said.

“We are inviting Zimbabweans where ever they come from and the whole Zimpapers family to come and join us walk for cancer.”

This is the second power walk that Zimpapers has organised having successfully embarked on a similar campaign last year. This year’s event will include other side activities such as Zumba class, health checks and lifestyle education.

“There will be an opportunity for Zumba dances, getting tested for HIV, blood pressure, diabetes and other health conditions, but more importantly, this is an opportunity for us to come together and raise awareness and capture attention around the serious concern that cancer is. It may be one of us or our loved ones at any given time, so by participating in the five-km walk, we are saying we are ready to be counted in the fight.

“The takkies day is a fun concept from Island Hospice that allows the Zimpapers family to contribute to a serious cause, so why not wear takkies on the day and donate something to cancer.”