Marianas march vs cancer raises over $68K

The 2nd Marianas March Against Cancer surpassed last year’s fundraiser total by raising over $68,000, all of which will be donated to the Commonwealth Cancer Association to help fund locally-based cancer related programs, including outreach and education, as well as to buy equipment for cancer patients.

A total of $68,765.97 was made from Friday nights fundraising project at the Hopwood Junior High School grounds, besting last year’s total of over $65,000.

Prior to last year’s March, only 10 percent of the proceeds of the fundraiser, known as Relay For Life, was kept in the CNMI.

MMAC chairperson Ed Calvo said the event displayed a “great” community effort in supporting the cause.

“The turnout was great and was a big success,” he said. “We accomplished our three goals: increase teams, reduce cost, and raise more money, and it was a total community effort. The way everyone in the community came together was just incredible.”

Calvo also commended the MMAC committee for “a job well done.”

“The committee worked really hard to put this all together. Without them this could not have happened the way it did. It was a lot of hard work, but it paid off with the amount of support we received and the money that was raised.”

Committee member Celia Mercado said one of the reasons for the great community support is that almost everyone has had family members who have been affected by cancer.

“We’re doing this to make a difference and the fight is never over until the cure is here,” she said. “That’s what we’re fighting for. Being a volunteer for the [MMAC] is never really just a volunteer job, but its part of our heart.”

A total of 19 teams supported the fundraising. Reigning supreme in the corporate division, or Puti’on, was Verizon, which raised $16,454.32. The family division, or Pulan, was won by Team Ahu, which raised $4,364, while the school division, or Napu, was won by Whispering Palms School, which raised a total of $4,009.40. The non-profit organization division, or Atdao, was won by the Department of Public Health’s Hinemlo team, which raised $2,718.

DFS Galleria won the Spirit Award while the Best Baton was awarded to Verizon. The Most Laps award winner has yet to be determined and will be announced at a later date.

All category winners received trophies and gift incentives from local companies.

Other teams involved in the fundraising were Hopwood Junior High School, Saipan International School, Dandan Elementary School, Bank of Guam, Mt. Carmel School and Marianas Health Services, San Antonio Elementary School and PacifiCare, Shell Marianas and Garapan Elementary School, Team Bodig, Team Piao, Pearls of the Pacific, Northern Marianas Christian Church, DFS Galleria, Hyatt Regency Saipan, Joeten Ent., Pacific Islands Club, and Tan Holdings Corp.

“This was a fun event…I like it. It’s good exercise and I feel good that it will help fight cancer,” said 13-year-old P.J. Camacho, a member of the DPH Hinemlo team.

The Hotel Association of Northern Mariana Islands also hosted a survivors’ dinner, which was followed by the lighting of the luminaries around the track.

This year’s inspirational speech was provided by Monica S. Manalo, who was diagnosed with breast cancer but, through early intervention and treatments, has survived the disease.

Also present were acting Gov. Diego T. Benavente, Saipan Mayor Juan B. Tudela, 2004 Miss CNMI-International Kenyelyn Arriola, 2004 Little Miss CNMI Hope Gomez, and 2004 Miss Teen CNMI First Runner-Up Jocelyn Castro.