Liberty Life donates N$100 000 to cancer fight

Jemimah NdebeleWindhoekLiberty Life Namibia demonstrated its unwavering commitment to supporting the fight against childhood cancer by donating N$100 000 to the Cancer Association of Namibia (CAN) this week.The donation took place on World Childhood Cancer Awareness Day, which was commemorated by CAN in partnership with Liberty Life.The goal of the day, observed every year on 15 February, is to raise awareness of the difficulties and challenges related to childhood cancer and the effects it has on both the patient and their families.The donation consisted of the proceeds of the first “Chica the Bear” campaign hosted in 2022.The N$100 000 is earmarked for the Chica Financial Assistance Programme, through which CAN supports childhood cancer patients in financial need.Keeping warmChica the Bear is a Liberty and CAN initiative to create awareness and raise funds for children affected by childhood cancer.Monique Cloete, Liberty Life Namibia’s managing director, said: “Children who are fighting cancer and their families need that extra love and that extra care that the Cancer Association provides. Chica the Bear represents exactly that. That extra little bit of attention, that extra little bit of cuddling love, that the cancer association makes possible for so many children, especially through Chica House, which provides accommodation to childhood cancer patients and their mothers during their treatment journey here in Windhoek.”Cloete said “new orders for Chica the Bear are welcome, and along with this, there are beautiful and warm Chica the Bear children’s beanies that you can order for the coming winter, and beautiful key rings and buttons to always keep Chica the Bear close to you.”The funds will be used for the maintenance and upkeep of the Chica interim home as well as the Chica financial assistance fund. The fund provides for the donation of support items like crutches, wheelchairs, and prescription glasses for children affected by cancer or cancer treatment; supports the bereaved family with funeral arrangements if the family is financially vulnerable; and provides funding for transportation, nutrition, and accommodation required by affected patients.Better service accessThe cancer association’s Rolf Hansen thanked Liberty Life for its ongoing support and reiterated the global call for the decentralisation of vital healthcare services, including cancer care.He underlined that it would allow for regional therapy and care, bringing families closer together, allowing for a quicker start to treatment, and ultimately making it more successful.According to Hansen, World Childhood Cancer Day promotes greater appreciation and deeper understanding of issues and challenges related to childhood cancer and their impact on children/adolescents with cancer, survivors, their families, and society.“It also highlights the need for more equitable and better access to treatment and care for children with cancer everywhere. In Namibia, five children are now newly diagnosed with a form of cancer every week.”On average, 240 new childhood cancer cases are diagnosed annually at the current rate.

Liberty Life donates N$100 000 to cancer fight

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Namibian Sun 2025-08-06

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Liberty Life donates N$100 000 to cancer fight

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Namibian Sun 2025-08-06

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