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Community helps CCA serve patients, survivors
Gov. Ralph DLG Torres, left, and Lt. Gov. Victor B. Hocog sign the proclamation declaring January as Cervical Cancer Awareness Month last week at the conference room of the Office of the Governor. (Jon Perez)
Commonwealth Cancer Association program director Juan. L. Babauta is thankful for the assistance shown by the entire community that has allowed them to continue to provide services to patients and survivors including their families.
He said both the public and private sectors are very much involved in their fundraising activities, most especially in their signature event, the Marianas March Against Cancer. “We’re all been touched by cancer, that is why we are thankful for all your help,” said Babauta. “A lot of you are very much involved—from the administration and Cabinet members to the community organizations—in our signature fundraiser. These funds allow us to assist cancer patients and survivors even their families.”
Gov. Ralph DLG Torres and Lt. Gov. Victor B. Hocog last week signed a proclamation declaring January as Cervical Cancer Awareness Month. Cervical cancer is the second leading type of cancer in the CNMI, next to breast cancer.
Babauta said the Division of Public Health provided last year a mechanism for CCA to extend their assistance services—emotional, financial, and psychological—to Tinian and Rota.
“We already assisted 93 individuals who come to our office and 47 of these are new cases. We have also reached out to the survivors and meet with them on a regular basis for our emotional support programs,” said Babauta, who added that a total of 292 attend the meetings.
Babauta said the Commonwealth Healthcare Corp. also supports CCA.
He also thanked the Legislature and the administration for their help in providing funds for CCA, especially in Public Law 19-66 that appropriates $200,000 for their programs. “It allows us to move forward and have the financial capability of providing services in the next five to 10 years.”
“This is a much-needed cancer fund that would provide services to the people. We are humbled and happy. We are also pleased with the success of CCA as we continue to reach out to people. Thank you also to CHCC and our healthcare providers.”
