26/09/2026
CANDLELIGHT VIGIL PUTS HUMAN FACE ON CHILDHOOD CANCER BATTLE
By John Chola
Lusaka 26 September 2026 - Under the soft glow of candles held aloft in the evening darkness, Zambia’s childhood cancer battle was stripped of statistics and given a human face - the face of children fighting for their lives, families refusing to give up, and health workers and partners determined to keep hope alive.
The poignant candlelight vigil, held at the Ministry of Health’s Cancer Diseases Hospital (CDH) in Lusaka on Friday evening as part of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, brought together government officials, healthcare workers, parents and caregivers, survivors, cooperating partners, civil society and Lions Club International District 413-Zambia.
The vigil was not merely a commemoration. It became a solemn reminder that behind every cancer diagnosis is a child with dreams, a family carrying fear and hope in equal measure, and a health system being challenged to ensure that no child is left behind.
Representing the Permanent Secretary for Technical Services at the Ministry of Health, Dr Kennedy Lishimpi was Dr Paul Kamfwa who delivered a message centred on this year’s theme: “Equity in Treatment, Hope for Every Child.”
Dr Lishimpi said the theme captured the fundamental principle that a child’s chances of surviving cancer should not depend on where that child was born, the family’s circumstances or geographical location.
“Every child, regardless of their background, deserves equal opportunity to access appropriate quality cancer care and treatment,” he said.
Globally, about 400,000 children and adolescents aged 0 to 19 develop cancer every year, with the majority living in low- and middle-income countries where survival remains significantly lower, according to the Ministry.
Lions Clubs International likewise cites the World Health Organization estimate of about 400,000 childhood cancer diagnoses annually.
For Zambia, Dr Lishimpi said the challenges remain considerable - ranging from delayed diagnosis and referral difficulties to access to specialised treatment, medicines, human resources and the ability of families to sustain lengthy treatment journeys.
But he said the government and its partners were making progress.
One of the developments highlighted was Zambia’s participation in a global childhood cancer medicines access platform involving the World Health Organization, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and other partners.
According to Dr Lishimpi, CDH has so far received six consignments comprising 33 different chemotherapy and supportive medicines, alongside computers and temperature-monitoring equipment to strengthen storage and handling.
“This is an important step towards ensuring that no child is denied treatment just because an essential medicine is unavailable,” he said.
But equity, he stressed, goes far beyond medicines. It means strengthening referral systems, investing in specialised health workers, expanding supportive care and taking specialised cancer services closer to communities.
He cited the decentralisation of cancer services, saying the construction of the Ndola Cancer Treatment Centre was about 85 percent complete, while building of the Livingstone facility was also progressing.
The government’s National Cancer Control Strategic Plan has previously identified limited geographical access to comprehensive childhood cancer services and weaknesses in referral coordination as significant challenges.
‘Early detection saves lives’
Dr Lishimpi also issued a strong appeal to parents and communities to recognise warning signs and seek medical attention early.
Unexplained fever, unusual lumps or swelling, unexplained weight loss, persistent pain, unusual paleness, changes in vision, unexplained bleeding or bruising should not simply be ignored, he said.
“The message is simple. Early recognition and detection saves lives,” he said.
He pointed to the recent commissioning of CDH’s radiotherapy and imaging section as another source of hope, saying improved treatment capacity, modern equipment and trained professionals would help ease the burden on children battling cancer.
But even as Zambia strengthens its clinical response, Dr Lishimpi said survival must be accompanied by compassionate, child-centred care and psychosocial support for families.
He also called for greater attention to survivors so they can return to school, participate fully in society and pursue their ambitions.
“Every child deserves a fair chance of life,” he said.
Lions turn advocacy into action
For Lions Club International District 413-Zambia, the vigil was also an opportunity to demonstrate that advocacy must be accompanied by practical service.
Representing the District, Past District Governor (PDG) Lion Dr George Banda, MJF, traced the Lions’ involvement in childhood cancer to the organisation’s broader humanitarian mission.
He explained that Lions’ focus on childhood cancer grew from the organisation’s long-standing commitment to humanitarian causes, including sight, diabetes and the environment.
Childhood cancer was formally adopted as one of Lions’ global causes during the organisation’s centennial period in 2017, he said.
With approximately 400,000 children diagnosed with cancer globally each year, Dr Banda said Lions recognised the need to raise awareness and mobilise communities around the issue.
The organisation subsequently established mechanisms through the Lions Clubs International Foundation (LCIF) to support childhood cancer projects.
Lions Clubs International identifies childhood cancer awareness and advocacy, patient and family support, and support to cancer treatment facilities among its service areas.
Dr Banda said District 413 had chosen CDH as one of its partners and would continue responding to the hospital’s identified needs.
On Friday, Lions Club of Roma donated cartoon costumes worth more than K6,000 to bring moments of joy to children undergoing treatment.
“We promise that we shall always be on hand whenever you call to come and support the hospital. Within this awareness month, Lions are again coming back with various support to the Hospital,” Dr Banda said.
The donation's symbolism was powerful: children battling cancer remain children first - deserving of laughter, dignity, companionship and hope.
A boy’s story turns a vigil into a mirror
But the most powerful voice of the evening came not from the podium, but from young cancer patients.
Lweendo Mapindo, sharing his personal cancer journey, took the audience through the frightening road from unexplained symptoms to diagnosis and chemotherapy.
“My parents never gave up on me. When some people did, they stood by me and kept encouraging me to stay strong and never to give up.”
Standing before the candlelight vigil, Lweendo's story carried something more powerful than fear: the possibility of hope.
His story underscored why the call for equity in childhood cancer treatment cannot remain a slogan.
It is about ensuring that children like Lweendo are diagnosed in time, receive the medicines they need, receive compassionate care and are supported throughout the difficult journey back to ordinary childhood.
From candles to commitment
As candles illuminated the gathering, the vigil became a quiet but compelling symbol of collective responsibility.
Government has pledged to strengthen treatment capacity. Healthcare workers continue to provide care under difficult circumstances.
Lions and other partners are committing resources and advocacy.
Parents continue to fight alongside their children.
And children like Lweendo continue to fight for the most basic of human privileges - the chance to grow up.
The Ministry of Health's message was therefore both a challenge and a promise: equity must translate into access, early diagnosis, available medicines, specialised care and support for families.
For Lions District 413, the response is equally clear - advocacy must be matched by service.
And for the children themselves, the candles represented something deeply personal.
Hope.
Hope that a diagnosis will not become a death sentence.
Hope that treatment will be available when it is needed.
Hope that distance or poverty will not determine who gets a chance to survive.
And, ultimately, hope that every child battling cancer can one day leave the hospital not as a patient, but simply as a child again.
