Models from Catherine Ruze Agency holding placards with cancer-themed words. The words depict the emotions cancer brings & what ECCT aims to bring through its work. Wearing red is Poetess Rutendo Denise (.R.) who touched the guests with her piercing performance with co-performer, Theresa Mutetwa, playing the mbira (an African instrument).
On 25 October 2012, we were pleased to have our official launch of the Trust and the Sponsor a Cancer Patient campaign at Crowne Plaza, Harare, Zimbabwe.
In our Sponsor a Cancer Patient campaign, we found five marginalized cancer patients who are struggling to make ends meet. From January 2013, we will be assisting them with food, one Dr’s consult/month, some of their prescription costs and payment of school fees for one primary school going child per family. We are so pleased that even before January 2013, we have had our first official sponsor come on board – Probrands Foods Zimbabwe – which has already started providing the patients and their families with much-needed food hampers every month. We will be posting a separate and more detailed blog on that soon!
The night featured the following:
- Speeches by Guest speakers, Minister Herbert Murerwa & Mrs. Margaret Nyandoro, Deputy Director for Reproductive Health. Another one of our honourable guests was Mrs. Clemenciana Bakasa, Deputy Director for Non Communicable Diseases at the Ministry of Health & Child Welfare.
- Video of the five patients we are assisting, followed by live testimonials by the patients and families in attendance. Due to circumstances beyond our control, two of the patients and their family representatives were unable to attend on the night.
- Fashion show directed by Cathering Ruze Agency, featuring designs by Melusi HlanyangeFashion Nhengu and Shadow by Sidumiso.
- Fashion and jewellery auction.
- Music entertainment by Fungai Nengare, DJ Naida, Rutendo Denise (.R.) and Theresa Mutetwa.
Below are some images from the night, followed by a slideshow. Images are courtesy of EOS Photography.
The entertaining MC for the night, Marshall Mutsamwira. He was dressed by fashion designer, Melusi HlanyangeFashion Nhengu.
Guest Speaker, Minister Herbert Murerwa who told guests his personal story of his battle with colon cancer last year and how he felt more should be done for marginalized cancer patients in Zimbabwe.
Guest Speaker, Ms Margaret Nyandoro from the Ministry of Health. She is Deputy Director for Reproductive Health. She worked with the late Mrs. Elizabeth Chanakira when Elizabeth Chanakira was Deputy Director of the Nurses Council, Harare and informed guests of the seriousness of cancer in Zimbabwe.
One of the patients, 16 year old – Takudzwa – telling guests of his personal battle with Ewing sarcoma, which has left him paralyzed. He sits next to his parents (pictured on the left).
The mother of Virimayi (one of the patients) we are assisting, telling guests how cancer has affected her son and family. He was unable to attend on the night as he was very ill.
The sister of Rejoice, one of the patients we are assisting – telling the story of how cancer has affected Rejoice and their family. Rejoice was unable to attend as she was in hospital.
A representative from Probrands Foods Zimbabwe – Mr. Jahwett Zisengwe (pictured far right) – presented food hampers to all the patients and their families. Standing to the far left is the father of our 16 year old patient, Takudzwa.
For more pictures, please view the slideshow below.
A BIG THANK YOU TO ALL THOSE WHO WERE INVOLVED & HELPED MAKE THIS NIGHT A SUCCESS!!
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