• Social Issues

CAN working on raising awareness of childhood cancer

- 2022-07-29 09:15:00

Four Namibian families hear every week that their child has cancer.
This according to the chief executive of the Cancer Association of Namibia (CAN), Rolf Hansen.
In an effort to fight childhood cancer in Namibia, Alexforbes Namibia donated N$70 000 to CAN which will be used to make the Yellow Ribbon Festival a reality. He said the profit from the festival along with the donation from Alexforbes, will be used to enable campaigns for childhood cancer awareness in different national languages.
“Childhood cancer is increasing worldwide and the same applies to Namibia. It is imperative that we reach the people in their own languages,” Hansen said.
The festival consists of a 5km fun run starting at 15:00 and a jazz concert on 24 September that takes place at the DTS sports club in Windhoek. Tickets cost N$150 for adults is free for children under seven. Those who do not want to participate in the fun run can join them at 18:00 for the jazz concert with Lize Ehlers.
“We are honoured to continue supporting such a good cause. Almost everyone knows someone who has died of cancer,” Stéfan du Preez, managing director of Alexforbes, said. “This is in line with our purpose. As Alexforbes, our focus is to connect with customers. By using our data sources, we are able to offer advice and solutions that make a real impact on people's lives.”
Hansen said it is important for CAN to eradicate stigmas around cancer by teaching people in their own languages and helping them at grassroots level to better understand the disease.
“Our country lacks understanding. Many people still believe that someone has been bewitched if they have cancer and that it only affects white people, old people or women. Many communities reject families when a child is diagnosed with cancer. We are going to have to communicate better with community leaders such as tribal leaders and religious leaders,” Hansen said.