The Sunday Mail
Online Reporter
TEAM Caro Foundation, a United Kingdom-based cancer charity organisation, is set to establish operations in Zimbabwe later this month.
The charity, which was founded by Zimbabwean Caroline Zimano after she was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015, has a strong footprint across the UK.
Its local launch has been slated for April 23 in Harare.
On its website, the organisation describes itself as “a foundation which supports cancer patients and their families to understand their journey with cancer, by providing support to reduce isolation, poverty and debt and improve understanding of the treatment journey including processing difficult news on poor prognosis.”
Locally, the organisation has already found a funder in Mrs Sheila Bvuure-Gaynor, an entrepreneur behind alcoholic beverage Sheila’s Original Rum Punch.
Mrs Bvuure-Gaynor’s support of the organisation stems from her personal story, having been diagnosed with cancer in 2019.
“In 2019, Sheila was diagnosed with cancer, but through grit and determination, she battled through, winning the admiration of the consultants and nurses at the Macmillan Centre.
“Although her treatment is ongoing, Sheila has continued to run her business, at times from her hospital bed,” a statement from her publicist read.
Mrs Bvuure-Gaynor currently runs the business together with her husband, Anthony Gaynor and aunt, Hellen Manyonga.
“Her company has sponsored a lot of charities in the United Kingdom where she is currently based. Her passion towards cancer patients and their well-being is unmatched,” adds the statement.
The cost of cancer treatment in Zimbabwe remains beyond the reach of many who are diagnosed and non-profit organisations have been helping with covering expense gaps. There is hope that the continued increase in the number of cancer organisations will assist those battling different types of the disease.
