Zumba has for the past 2 years been a mover and shaker of women of all sizes towards a community of females that embrace fitness. The fitness club is now going even further to aid women into a healthier generation by collaborating with Cancer Association Botswana to help in the fight against breast cancer, which continues to prevail as one of the leading ailments affecting women’s health.
Zumba Fitness club that is held on week days at Thornhill Primary School on Friday the 31st October held a special Zumba class geared not only at increasing awareness about breast cancer but also to help raise funds for the cause. CAB also got to run a presentation for everyone in attendance educating them on the disease.
CAB Administration Secretary said in an interview that Tiyapo Graves who is the only ‘accredited’ Zumba Fitness instructor in Gaborone approached the non-profit organisation to help them raise funds. “All money collected will go to Cancer Association. We are very happy about the initiative especially because we have financial problems, so this was a blessing,” she said.
Breast cancer is one of the biggest female health challenges in Botswana. Statistics from the Botswana National Cancer registry indicate that breast cancer is the third most common malignancy after Kaposi sarcoma and cervical cancer in Botswana. The challenge is however made worse by late diagnosis among patients. Early detection significantly improves chances of recovery and lowers health care costs
It was a busy weekend for the breast cancer movement with the stiletto walk also taking activists on a stride around the capital city to raise awareness as October is international breast cancer month. The stiletto walk reached its 8th year milestone in Gaborone and its 2nd year in Francistown.