Compassion
KidzCan is meeting a dire need in Zimbabwe, where there is no funding for paediatric oncology.
The programme was originally created to provide psychosocial support to children undergoing treatment. Soon it became apparent that there were other essential needs, such as sourcing medication and funding to pay for life-saving treatment and tests.
The initiative has brought compassion, care and innovation to the lives of young patients, along with much-needed medical services, advice and support. This year it has supported more than 350 children.
“We believe children have the right to fight and survive cancer. The doctors and nurses who treat the patients are inspirational and keep us going,” said Bev Sebastian, executive director of Kidzcan.
Because many people do not know how to identify cancer in children before it is too late, the organisation conducts early-detection workshops with the medical community.
It is also working with the government to try to establish better care for children with cancer by sourcing drugs and paying for life-saving treatments.
It is lobbying to establish an updated cancer registry to improve the ability of the government to fill this much-needed gap in the healthcare system.
It provides weekly structured play for children on the oncology wards and creates parent support workshops to help them care for their children and adhere to treatment regimes.
“Zimbabwe is a resource-limited and complex environment to work in; it’s not easy, but I am constantly amazed at the strength and resilience of those who are affected,” said Sebastian.