Celebrating Caregivers and Childhood Cancer Warriors

Cotecna had the honor of attending and sponsoring the KidzCan Cocktails for Cancer event an evening dedicated to hope, remembrance, and resilience. This initiative is close to our hearts because we believe in standing with communities and supporting causes that make a real difference.  

The event was a heartfelt tribute to childhood cancer survivors and their families, while also serving as a memorial for those who lost their fight. A moving candle-lighting ceremony honored their memory and reminded everyone of the importance of community and compassion. 

Held under the theme “Nurturing the Caregiver, Strengthening the Circle of Care,” the evening celebrated caregivers. the unsung heroes whose strength fuels every child’s fight. The elephant was chosen as the event’s symbol, representing resilience and family. Interestingly, elephants are the only animals that do not get cancer, making them a beacon of hope. 

Stories That Inspire 

A poignant moment came when Mai Indiana shared the heroic fight of her child, Indiana, who sadly passed away. Her story was a testament to courage and the critical role of early detection. During the candle-lighting ceremony, KidzCan staff stood with her, offering therapy, counselling, and a shoulder to lean on embodying the organization’s commitment to care. 

Who KidzCan Is, What They Do, and Why It Matters 

KidzCan is Zimbabwe’s leading childhood cancer charity, committed to saving lives through early detection, treatment support, and holistic care. Childhood cancer is treatable when diagnosed early, but many families face barriers such as cost, distance, and lack of awareness. KidzCan bridges these gaps by providing: 

• Clinical Care – Chemotherapy, related drugs, blood products, prosthetics, wheelchairs, and diagnostic services like imaging and lab tests.
• Psychosocial Support – Structured play therapy, toys, books, warm clothing, and annual Christmas hampers to bring joy and comfort.
• Housing & Transport – Accommodation through Rainbow Children’s Village and transport assistance for patients and caregivers to ensure they attend appointments and do not abandon treatment.
• Case Management – Screening, medical assessments, treatment planning, and weekly follow-ups to keep children on track. 

This comprehensive approach matters because it saves lives, reduces abandonment of treatment, and strengthens families during the toughest battles. 

Cotecna is committed to continuing our support for this organization and its mission to save lives and strengthen families. Our values, which we call the Cotecna Way, are what drive us and enable us to support initiatives like this. These values guide us every day and reflect our belief in Dream, Dare, Deliver. We dream of making a difference, dare to take bold steps, and deliver on our commitments both in business and in society.  

This same spirit drives our work in testing, inspection, and certification, where we help businesses around the world ensure compliance and quality across supply chains. Just as we safeguard standards for our clients, we also strive to uphold values that protect and strengthen communities. 

It was truly a beautiful evening one that reminded us all that together, we can make a difference. 

To find out more about Kidzcan Visit their website, to find out more out Cotecnas community outreach programs visit our dedicated webpage. 

About Cotecna

For over 50 years, we have been supporting agriculture, food and pharma, minerals and metals, and consumer products supply chains all over the world. We provide testing, inspection, and certification services to help our clients navigate evolving regulations, ensure product compliance, and support their sustainability journey.