Staff Reporter
Cancer survivors have been urged to use their experiences to inspire and support others facing the disease as Zimbabwe’s cancer community gathered in Harare for the “Threads of Triumph” Survivors’ Dinner hosted by CancerServe Trust.
Held at Goodhope in Harare, the event brought together survivors, caregivers, healthcare professionals and corporate partners to celebrate resilience in the face of cancer while drawing attention to the continued need for support services for patients and their families.
Addressing guests, CancerServe Trust patron Dr Anna Mary Nyakabau said survivors embodied hope and demonstrated that a cancer diagnosis was not the end of the road.
“Tonight we celebrate one word: triumph. Not because the road was easy, but because you walked it with resilience to defeat cancer,” she said.
“You chose hope when fear was loud. You showed up for treatment, for your families and for yourself. Today we celebrate that.”
Drawing from the evening’s theme, “Threads of Triumph,” Nyakabau likened the experiences of survivors to individual threads woven together into a strong and beautiful fabric.
“One thread looks fragile on its own. But woven together, threads become something strong and beautiful. That’s us. Your story is a thread. My story is another. Together, we form a fabric of resilience,” she said.
One of the evening’s most moving moments came when long-term cancer survivor Petronella Tshatedi, who has lived with cancer for more than 30 years, shared her journey and was unveiled as a CancerServe Trust ambassador.
Speaking to fellow survivors, Tshatedi said surviving cancer extended far beyond completing treatment.
“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.”
She said cancer survivors have a unique role to play in encouraging those who are still battling the disease.
“The beautiful thing about survivors is this: we do not just survive for ourselves. Our stories become light for somebody else who is still walking through darkness,” Tshatedi said.
She also paid tribute to caregivers, family members, friends and healthcare workers who stand alongside patients throughout their treatment journeys, acknowledging the support she received during some of the most difficult moments of her life.
The dinner recognised the vital role played by caregivers and frontline health workers, whose dedication continues to make a difference in the lives of cancer patients across Zimbabwe.
Nyakabau urged communities to look beyond cancer statistics and remember the people behind them.
“We must never forget that behind every statistic is a person — a father, a mother, a brother or a child — and behind every person is a story of resilience and quiet strength,” she said.
The event was supported by anchor sponsor National Building Society and corporate partners including DICOMM Marketing.
CancerServe Trust continues to lead cancer awareness, advocacy and patient support initiatives in Zimbabwe, working to improve access to information and strengthen support networks for people affected by the disease.
For many who attended, the gathering was defined not by illness, but by courage, survival and the power of hope — a reminder that even in the face of adversity, triumph remains possible.
