‘NMI community badly needs a hospice for cancer patients’

Joeten Charitable Foundation president Frances T. Demapan expressed hope that the Commonwealth Cancer Association will be able to put up a hospice that would aid those who are diagnosed with cancer and are undergoing treatment.

“That’s something that we don’t have here,” said Demapan, wife of retired chief justice Miguel S. Demapan who had undergone surgeries in his battle against colon cancer. “We have a lot of patients inflicted with cancer so I think that hospice is a very specialized support group for our community.”

Demapan, along with foundation board of trustee Priscilla Tenorio and executives of Joeten companies, presented yesterday a $5,000 check donation to the 2012 Marianas March Against Cancer Committee and the Commonwealth Cancer Association board members and staff at the Joeten Center in Susupe.

Founded in 1994, the Joeten Charitable Foundation was created to promote social welfare by providing financial and in-kind assistance to organizations whose activities benefit the greater community.

The foundation, Demapan said, has consistently extended its financial support to MMAC, the biggest annual fundraising event that unites schools, businesses, government agencies, and non-profit organizations “in a way that no other event does.”

Demapan maintained that CCA, through MMAC, is different from other organizations they support as everyone has been affected by cancer in one way or another through personal experience or that of family members and friends.

“MMAC is truly a memorable event because on one hand, you’re reminiscing and honoring those that lost the fight against cancer. And on the other hand, you’re celebrating survivors and having fun raising money for the local community,” she said.

Demapan thanked the MMAC committee for volunteering their time to help CCA in making sure that its largest fundraising event is successful year after year. “I know that without your support, this organization will not grow,” she added.

MMAC committee chair Catherine Attao-Toves, for her part, said that Joeten Charitable Foundation has been supportive of the annual event, now on its 10th year.

“As we go through this milestone, Joeten once again is right there with us. We’re extremely grateful and we always appreciate your support,” she added.

Demapan said that this year is particularly special as Joeten Charitable Foundation is partnering with Marianas High School to form Team Joeten/MHS to be led by team captains Frannie Demapan, Joeten Department Store marketing manager/buyer; and MHS students Michelle Ngirbabul and Audrey Ada.

Demapan said they are encouraging all Joeten affiliate companies to take part in this year’s MMAC, slated for April 27 to 28 at the Hopwood Jr. High School grounds. She said they will host a booth at the event and raise funds through T-shirt and luminary sales and other fundraising activities.