Cimas Medical Aid has donated US$13 753 to the Cancer Association of Zimbabwe as part of its corporate social responsibility.
The money was raised from the company’s annual iGo half marathon which was held last year in Harare and Bulawayo where 1 422 athletes participated in different races.
Speaking at the handover ceremony, Cimas chief marketing officer Tatenda Madzikanda said:
<blockquote>
We are now a family with the Cancer Association of Zimbabwe, and we will continue to support you.
As promised, we are handing over to you all the proceeds that we raised (US$13 753) from the iGo Half Marathon.
We are grateful to our key partners Pick n Pay and ZimPure who partnered us in making the event a success.
</blockquote>
At last year’s iGo Half Marathon, Cimas had anticipated having 1 000 athletes for both Harare and Bulawayo, but the event was oversubscribed and raised US$13 753.
Cancer Association of Zimbabwe general manager Junior Mavu said it is through such donations from Cimas that cancer patients and their families are supported. Said Mavu:
<blockquote>
Our heartfelt thanks to Cimas for supporting us and the cause because you have always done it year in, and year out.
For us to be able to do what we do, it is because of such support. This donation will go a long way in helping cancer patients and their families.
Cancer treatments and drugs are expensive and not every patient is on medical aid or health insurance, so for those who are not on medical aid, treatment becomes very difficult, and this is where we chip in, but because of the high numbers, we are not able to help everyone as desired.
</blockquote>
This year’s edition of the iGo Half Marathon is expected to be even bigger and better, targeting 2 000 runners in both Harare and Bulawayo.
The half marathon also raises awareness about men’s health and wellness, promoting a sense of companionship and solidarity with all men battling prostate and testicular cancer.
Last month, Cimas Health Group donated 500 Novo Nordisk Levemir Insulin Pens worth $27 500 to the Diabetes Association of Zimbabwe.
The donation was a considerable boost for the diabetic community in Zimbabwe to assist those affected by the chronic disease, providing them with the essential medication and support required to manage their condition effectively.
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Cimas Donates US$13 000 To Cancer Association Of Zimbabwe

A local health expert says the 8 500 new cancer cases recorded yearly in Zimbabwe do not represent the true picture on the ground as more cases are unreported.
Data from a 2018 Zimbabwe Cancer Registry Report shows that the total number of new cancer cases recorded that year among Zimbabweans of all races (including non-melanoma skin cancer) was 7 841.
This comprised 3 301 (42.1 percent) males and 4 540 (57.9 percent) females.
According to <a href="https://healthtimes.co.zw/2023/03/19/zim-recording-8000-new-cancer-cases-every-year/">Health Times</a>, the numbers have since gone up to 8 500 new cancer diagnoses per year.
Speaking in an interview with HealthTimes, Cancer Association of Zimbabwe (CAZ) Monitoring and Evaluation Coordinator, Lovemore Makurirofa said the cost of cancer treatment in the country is prohibitive.
He said as a result, there could be an understatement of recorded cases as some patients were opting to die at home without getting treatment. Said Makurirofa:
<blockquote>
Cancer cases are increasing every year. As you might be aware, according to the Zimbabwe Cancer Registry 2018 Report which is the latest statistics available, the number of cancer cases is increasing and there are now reaching around 8.500 new cancer cases every year which is very significant.
Also the deaths are always increasing. In a nutshell, we can say the cancer burden is very high in Zimbabwe.
The statistics which I am trying to illustrate actually underestimate the situation because these are the few people who have afforded to be diagnosed with cancer, they would have been afforded to report in a health institution.
The majority of them as CAZ, we sometimes see them, and they visit us but if they don’t afford those diagnoses costs, they go home and actually die of cancer before they are diagnosed, so they are not captured in the health system.
</blockquote>
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