Yellow wheels for CHICA

    - 2022-09-15 08:55:00
Every week, at least five Namibian families hear the diagnosis that their child has cancer.
Paediatric oncology remains one of the greatest challenges, because identification, early diagnosis and treatment is difficult and emotionally taxing on families.
Earlier this week, Pupkewitz Toyota handed over a co-sponsored yellow Toyota Agya to the Cancer Association of Namibia (CAN) that is symbolic of paediatric oncology awareness (yellow and gold for childhood cancer awareness).
To address some of these challenges, over the last decade CAN has focussed its energy on the establishment of the CHICA (children fighting cancer in Namibia) programme, which is not only aimed at creating awareness that children get cancer too, but also educates on the types of cancers that most often affect children of all ages, and where to seek help.
“In 2017, in addition to the CHICA Financial Assistance Programme, we established the CHICA Interim Home, providing accommodation and meals to childhood cancer patients and a parent while undergoing treatment in Windhoek. We believe that a safe, homely and holistically supporting environment plays a critical role in boosting the patient and family morale during the treatment plan,” CAN chief executive Rolf Hansen said.
“I am hopeful that this car will become a symbol of realisation, hope and encourage support from our public, to read up on childhood cancers, to ask the relevant questions, and also offer support to CAN, as they see ‘Little CHICA’ zipping through town,” he added.
With regard to their involvement as a group, the marketing head of Pupkewitz Motors, Veruschka de la Harpe, said that children are the leaders of tomorrow. “It is our responsibility to ensure that we guide and protect all Namibian children. Even though we cannot always protect them from all hardships, we have a duty to make the world a better place for them, because if we do, we make it a better place for everyone.”
“Pupkewitz Toyota understands the importance of child protection as it speaks to the brand’s cornerstone values of serving the communities we operate in selflessly. That is why we felt the need to partner with CAN on this project,” franchise director of Pupkewitz Toyota Etienne Steenkamp said.