Cancer Is Closer Than We Think — And It Demands Our Compassion
My New Year’s celebration this year was perhaps the most unusual yet deeply meaningful one I have ever experienced — in its venue, theme, and most importantly, in the company I shared it with. I spent the day on the eighth floor of Black Lion Hospital’s pediatric ward, surrounded by dozens of children. The occasion was a New Year’s party organized by Matiwos Wendu’s Ye Ethiopian Cancer Association.
The participants were mostly children affected by cancer, along with the medical doctors who care for them around the clock in the oncology ward, the association’s founder, Wendu Bekele, board members, and volunteers like myself. As is customary in Ethiopian celebrations, food and drinks were served, accompanied by a delicious array of sweets and aromatic coffee. The floor was decorated with fresh grass in traditional holiday style, and the air was filled with the scent of myrrh and incense, heralding the arrival of the New Year.
I was invited to the event by the association, having previously volunteered at its care center near 22 Mazoria, close to Denberua Hospital. There, I had the privilege of visiting children who receive chemotherapy at Black Lion Hospital and are given accommodation, nutritious food, clothing, and psychological support in a cozy, home-like environment. Despite my earlier volunteer work and a previous article I wrote about the center for Addis Fortune’s View from Arada column, I had never actually met the founder and visionary, Wendu, in person.
My excitement was therefore palpable as I began the New Year in such a spiritually uplifting and inspiring way. Sharing in the pain and standing beside those suffering from cancer proved even more rewarding and fulfilling to me than it could ever be for the beneficiaries themselves. It reminded me of an old friend’s saying: “It gives more pleasure to give than to receive.” Whatever humble contributions I made within my limited means gave me far greater reward than I could ever offer the recipients, whose fragile smiles illuminated my soul and healed me in the deepest recesses of my being.
Later, I joined the indefatigable Doctor Veronica on a visit to the oncology ward to check on two children whose conditions had recently worsened—one of them in the ICU, on life support. I was deeply impressed by the level of sanitation and the careful cordoning of the ward to prevent infection, as patients undergoing chemotherapy are extremely vulnerable to contamination. I greeted and offered words of encouragement to several of the young patients, though not all were beneficiaries of the Matiwos Wendu Foundation.
One of the children in relatively stable condition was not in the ward at the time, but I was able to visit another, in more critical condition — Farouk (name changed upon request) — an eight-year-old boy from Wello. He had undergone several rounds of chemotherapy and suffered respiratory and intestinal infections. Despite his frail condition, his spirit was remarkably high when he saw us. I saw in his eyes a glimmer of immense hope and pure, almost divine love.
His father, visibly distressed, had endured long days of helplessly watching his son’s suffering with little he could do to change his bleak prognosis. This young father, doing everything in his power to fight for his child’s life, embodied the very essence of what the Matiwos Wendu Foundation strives to achieve — bringing light into the lives of children affected by cancer and giving a voice to those who silently bear the immense burden of the disease.
When I heard from the renowned Ethio-jazz saxophonist, pianist, and composer Jorga Mesfin that James “Jimmy” Malcolm was in Addis Ababa on a musical tour, I was enthralled. My fascination grew when Jorga told me that Jimmy was a cancer survivor who had overcome an epic battle with the disease. A week later, with a musical show and fundraiser scheduled at the Greek Community School, an idea struck me: why not invite Jimmy Malcolm to perform at the fundraising event?
Who better than a cancer survivor to represent the cause — to serve as a voice for the mission, share his journey, and inspire patients, caregivers, philanthropists, and young volunteers? I asked Jorga whether Jimmy might be willing to grace the stage, and to my surprise and delight, his response was swift and affirmative. Soon, Jimmy, Jorga, and Leli Lensamo (MD)— a physician with an exceptional vocal gift — became the faces of the much-anticipated fundraiser for children affected by cancer.
The event was hosted by the celebrated comedian Betty Wanos, supported by an energetic team of young volunteers who managed everything from ushering and technical logistics to catering, all with remarkable dedication. Betty led the evening with her trademark humor, even organizing an impromptu auction for a painting, which was won by Dr. Tewabech, Jorga Mesfin’s mother — only for her to donate it back to the foundation in a touching act of generosity.
Then came the performances. Leli’s breathtaking rendition of Killing Me Softly mesmerized the audience, her voice carrying a dreamlike nostalgia that seemed to transport everyone to another world. Jorga’s saxophone made time stand still, his improvisations pulling the room into a shared silence of awe. And Jimmy’s graceful strokes on the piano — accompanied by his radiant smile — spoke volumes without words. Between songs, he shared anecdotes from his childhood, recalling moments with his cousin, the legendary Robert Nesta “Bob” Marley, whose influence shaped his music and worldview.
A few weeks later, another event was held at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel, where Jorga and Jimmy once again captivated the audience. This time, the crowd was star-studded: the father of Ethio-jazz, Mulatu Astatke; the living saxophone legend Tilaye Gebre; symphony composer Girma Yefrashewa; Grammy-winning veteran (with Ziggy Marley) Zeleke Gessese; and the gifted vocalist and flamboyant diva, Tamir Gizaw. I was at a loss for words — overwhelmed by the privilege of standing among these musical greats. It felt like walking down a hall of fame.
Jorga and Jimmy rose to the occasion, joined by bassist Kiya and drummer Dawit Adera, both members of the ASL Band, known for their Thursday performances at the African Jazz Club.
Always mindful of nurturing young talent, Jimmy had assembled a group of emerging singers, forming what he called the “Torch Bearers.” Together, they performed several of Bob Marley’s iconic songs, electrifying the atmosphere and lifting the spirits of everyone present.
Even Mulatu, Tilaye, Zeleke, and Tamir were visibly delighted, nodding and smiling in appreciation. Indeed, Jimmy’s vision of passing the torch to a new generation of musicians seemed already to be bearing fruit.
Jimmy Malcolm’s joy was complete when he visited the Matiwos Wendu Cancer Care Center in Hayahulet, finally getting to spend meaningful time with the children — offering them hope and faith drawn from his own firsthand experience as a cancer survivor. Grateful for the second chance at life after years of struggle, Jimmy found new purpose in using his story and his art to inspire others. Following his participation in the cancer fundraiser, his collaboration with the Matiwos Wendu Foundation, and his mentorship of young aspiring musicians, Jimmy embarked on an ambitious new project: releasing an album with his musical troupe.
The album, he explained, will feature both young musicians and children affected by cancer — a heartfelt collaboration intended to blend creativity with compassion. It is envisioned not only as a labor of love, but also as a work for a noble cause — a musical tribute to survival, solidarity, and hope.
About a month after the New Year celebration, I thought to inquire about Farouk, the young boy I had visited at Black Lion Hospital’s oncology ward. The news of his passing a few weeks later devastated me. I was overcome with grief, helplessness, and indescribable sadness at the thought of a child’s life stolen by such a cruel and silent adversary.
In that moment, I began to understand the anguish that must have gripped Wendu when he lost his four-year-old son to cancer more than two decades ago — and the profound motivation that drove him to establish the foundation in his son’s name. His vision has since touched the lives of over three thousand children, offering care, treatment, and the chance to live.
It also gave me a deeper understanding of Jimmy’s own drive — to record his upcoming album not merely as a personal triumph, but as an expression of gratitude for survival and a commitment to be a voice for the millions who continue to suffer in silence.
Cancer is real. It is prevalent, indiscriminate, and closer than many realize — lurking in every community, household, and neighborhood, striking without warning. Beyond the emotional toll, patients and families face overwhelming treatment costs, high mortality rates, and a troubling lack of public attention to this growing crisis.
According to a February 2025 World Health Organization report, cancer remains one of the leading causes of death worldwide, responsible for nearly 10 million deaths in 2020 — roughly one in six of all global deaths. Its many forms make it deceptively complex, often hiding behind symptoms mistaken for lesser ailments. Yet it continues to claim more lives than any other disease that could be mitigated through early detection, awareness, and sustained care.
Cancer is not a distant problem. It is here, among us — and it demands far greater attention, compassion, and collective action.
(Bereket Balcha holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Social Anthropology from Addis Ababa University (AAU) and a Diploma in Purchasing and Supply Chain Management from Addis Ababa Commercial College/AAU. His extensive professional background encompasses decades of experience in the aviation industry in diverse roles, complemented by a two-year engagement at the Ethiopia Insurance Corporation. He can be reached at [email protected])
Contributed by Bereket Balcha