MMAC teams begin fundraising efforts

With the Marianas March Against Cancer scheduled for May 11-12, 2018, at the Hopwood Middle School, teams have already started raising funds to support the Commonwealth Cancer Association’s signature event.

“This year, many of our teams have already started their fundraising efforts early to support the mission of this great event. Most of our teams from last year have reaffirmed their commitment to this worthy cause, and we are excited to see the innovative ideas our teams come up with to raise funds for our community’s fight against cancer,” said MMAC 2018 Team Recruitment chair Catherine Attao-Toves.

This month, Team TanHoldings/Tan Siu Lin Foundation held a very successful JP Glow Run on Friday, Feb. 2 with over 1,500 people brightening up the Beach Road Pathway from the Garapan Fishing Base to Quartermaster Road. The event is held in honor of John “JP” Pangelinan, a former publisher of the Saipan Tribune, and celebrated its 10th anniversary this year. The event raised $8,000 for MMAC.

Also celebrating its 10-year anniversary, Team Pacific Islands Club held its annual PIC Duck Race for Cancer with 2,490 ducks racing across the PIC Lazy River on Saturday, Feb. 10. Proceeds from the event will benefit MMAC. 

“Our teams are starting early and working hard to support our community’s goal of supporting our loved ones facing cancer. Over the last two months, you can really feel members of our community rallying behind this cause and supporting each other. This is what MMAC is all about,” said MMAC 2018 Committee co-chair Carline Sablan.

Several teams currently have ongoing fundraising efforts.

Team Northern Mariana Islands Football Association, in collaboration with Shirley’s Coffee Shop, will be donating 10 cents for every iced tea sold in the restaurant’s Susupe and Garapan locations. Team Triple J will be donating $25 for every vehicle sold.

“We are very excited to have our returning and longstanding teams back again. Every year, we aim to increase the number of teams participating. This year, we are pleased to announce that the CNMI Public School System central office will be actively involved to join the rest of our community partners who have contributed significantly to this great cause over the years,” said MMAC 2018 Committee co-chair Bobby Cruz.

“March and April are months filled with team events and fundraisers, and we highly encourage our community to support our teams. We will be providing updates through CCA on social media and in the press about our team events. It is also never too late to sign up or join a team. At the end of the day, it is our entire community working together toward a common goal of supporting our loved ones and fighting cancer in our islands,” Attao-Toves added.

For more information or to sign up your team for the 2018 Marianas March Against Cancer, email mmacteams@gmail.com. (MMAC)