Africa-Press – Malawi. Families whose children are fighting cancer at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital (QECH) are set to benefit from a fundraising fun walk that aims to ease their daily struggles and improve access to lifesaving care.
The initiative is being championed by The Walkers Social Club, a group of diverse professionals who walk every Saturday morning.
In partnership with the QECH Children’s Cancer Ward, the club will lead the fun walk on Saturday 6 December, starting at 6am from QECH, through Masauko Chipembere Highway to Chichiri Roundabout and back.
Paediatric Oncologist Dr Beatrice Chikaphonya Phiri said they teamed up with The Walkers because the group is well established and capable of rallying wider support for vulnerable children diagnosed with cancer.
“We believe our partnership with The Walkers will yield intended results, and we have not restricted this to the Walkers Social Club members only, but anyone who is free can participate or contribute to this cause,” she said. “Little innocent children are suffering because of cancer and we need to step up and help.”
Dr Chikaphonya Phiri said the Children’s Cancer Ward operates a 34-bed facility that supports both in- and out-patients and diagnoses about 250 new childhood cancer cases every year.
She said this year’s focus is on raising awareness, advocating for improved access to care and addressing inequalities faced by patients, their families and frontline health workers.
She highlighted critical challenges the ward continues to face, including shortages of essential equipment and medicines, delayed diagnosis, treatment abandonment due to financial pressures, limited amenities, and low public awareness.
“We sincerely request any generous support to help us address these material gaps affecting delivery of quality care for children,” she added.
Walkers Social Club Coordinator Chiwawa Msimuko-Madise said the partnership aligns with the club’s mission to promote wellness, community engagement and charitable impact through walking and social events.
“This partnership provides an opportunity to raise funds so that we can help our children and the Cancer Ward,” she said. “We have encouraged all our members in Zomba, Thyolo, Lilongwe, Salima and Mzuzu to take part, and we appeal to others outside our group who want to help to do so.”
Msimuko-Madise also challenged Walkers to increase the route distance as part of efforts to raise more funds. Participants are expected to pay a minimum registration fee of K5,000.
Those unable to walk but willing to support financially are being encouraged to deposit their contributions directly into the QECH Children’s Cancer Ward account: National Bank of Malawi, Top Mandala Branch, account number 1013370897.
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