Chica is a friend to those in need

The Cancer Association of Namibia (CAN) and Liberty Namibia have welcomed Chica the Bear as the face of children’s cancer awareness in Namibia.

Chica will also serve as a friendly face to the young individuals braving a cancer battle. A Chica bear of one’s own can be bought at chicanamibia.com for N$180.

At Chica’s introduction to the world, the CEO of CAN, Rolf Hansen, said the proper treatment of young cancer patients is not negotiable.

He says initiatives such as Chica help to make the dignified treatment of children with cancer a reality.

Hansen said a big stumbling block in the successful rehabilitation of children’s cancer in Namibia is that patients do not attend follow-up meetings with their caregivers.

He is clear that CAN not only aids in curing children’s cancer, but will be with them to the very end of their cancer battles – whether their story has a happy or tragic end.

“If a cure is not attainable, the right of a child to experience a pain-free death is non-negotiable. While unfathomable in developed countries, the shocking reality for low- and middle-income nations is that children suffering from cancer will die excruciatingly painful deaths. This is what is happening in sub-Saharan Africa. We want to use this to ensure that our children, should they not fight and overcome cancer, that they leave this world on angel wings in a dignified manner,” he says.

Hansen hopes that Chica will be the light needed to break up tragic subject matter.

“This is why the Chica bear is so exciting, because all these horrible and sad truths we can communicate in a lively and positive way,” he says.

He took the opportunity to thank Liberty Namibia for their constant support of the fight against cancer in Namibia, recalling a previous blanket drive hosted by the entity.

“It was like a wave of blue hit the Chica house,” says Hansen remembering the blankets donated not only by Liberty Namibia as a corporation, but also the Liberty staff.