HARARE, Jun. 8 (NewsDay Live) — CancerServe Trust has urged cancer patients and their families not to lose hope, saying a cancer diagnosis is not the end of life but the beginning of a journey that can be overcome through treatment, support and resilience.
The message emerged during the CancerServe Survivors Celebrations held in Harare on Friday, where dozens of cancer survivors gathered to share testimonies of courage, recovery and hope.
CancerServe Trust, a registered private voluntary organisation that assists disadvantaged cancer patients through financial support, medication donations and advocacy, brought together survivors, caregivers, healthcare professionals and supporters to celebrate those who have overcome cancer and encourage those still undergoing treatment.
Speaking at the event, CancerServe founder and clinical oncologist Dr Anna Mary Nyakabau described the gathering as a celebration of resilience in the face of one of the world’s most feared diseases.
“Tonight we celebrate one word: triumph. Not because the road was easy, but because you walked it with resilience to defeat cancer,” Nyakabau said.
“You chose hope when fear was loud. You showed up for treatment, for your families and for yourself, and today we celebrate that.”
Nyakabau said the event’s theme, “Threads of Triumph”, reflected the collective strength of survivors and the support systems that helped them through treatment.
“‘Threads of Triumph’ is more than a theme. One thread looks fragile on its own, but woven together, threads become something strong and beautiful,” she said.
“That’s us. Your story is a thread. My story is another. Together, we form a fabric of resilience.”
She said cancer survivors served as a source of hope for newly diagnosed patients.
“For every patient newly diagnosed tomorrow, this fabric says: you are not alone. To our survivors, you are living proof that cancer can be overcome and an inspiration to someone fighting cancer today.”
Nyakabau also paid tribute to caregivers, medical teams and partners supporting cancer care initiatives across Zimbabwe.
Among those honoured at the event was breast cancer survivor Petronella Tshatedi, who was appointed a CancerServe Trust ambassador.
Tshatedi said surviving cancer involved much more than completing treatment.
“Those words carry so much weight for me because survival is not just about getting through treatment. It is about navigating fear, uncertainty, pain, exhaustion and moments where you wonder if life will ever feel normal again,” she said.
“It is about learning to smile again, to hope again, to trust again and to believe again.”
Describing her appointment as ambassador as a deeply personal milestone, Tshatedi said she hoped to use her experience to encourage others battling the disease.
“So to be standing here tonight — healthy, strong, surrounded by love, and now being entrusted with the role of ambassador for CancerServe Trust — is something I do not take lightly,” she said.
Tshatedi said survivor networks played a critical role in helping patients cope with the emotional and physical challenges of cancer.
“Sometimes cancer can make you feel isolated, misunderstood and afraid. But evenings like this remind us that there is an entire community of strength sitting beside us,” she said.
“We are connected not just by pain, but by courage, faith, resilience and hope.”
She said survivors had a responsibility to inspire others still undergoing treatment.
“We do not just survive for ourselves. Our stories become light for somebody else who is still walking through darkness.”
Speakers at the event emphasised the importance of early diagnosis and treatment, reducing stigma and strengthening survivor support networks.
The celebrations highlighted the growing number of cancer survivors in Zimbabwe and reinforced the message that many people can go on to live full and productive lives after successful treatment.