March Against Cancer raises more than $70,000

More than $70,000 was raised during Friday’s Marianas March Against Cancer, surpassing the amount raised during last year’s edition of the annual fundraising event.

Formerly known as Relay for Life, the March was held at the Hopwood Junior High School field.

Program coordinator Frankie M. Eliptico said they were able to achieve their goal of surpassing the $65,000 they gathered last year.

He said the Pacific Islands Club raised the largest amount by coming up with $18,000, followed by Team Bodig, Saipan International School and Bank of Guam with Garapan Elementary School.

Eliptico said the proceeds of the event would be spent locally for the cancer awareness, prevention and treatment program for the CNMI.

The Best Tent award went to Bank of Guam and Garapan Elementary School. Best in Team Spirit went to Team Bodig and the Best in Baton went to Team Verizon.

Verizon’s baton was made of coconut shell shaped like a hand with a mini cell phone inside, which represented the local community and its culture and technology in the pursuit of battling the dreaded disease.

The Crime Prevention team bagged Most Laps award.

The evening’s highlights included a welcome speech from Saipan Mayor Juan B. Tudela, an inspirational message from cancer survivor Juanita Lulu Malone and recognition bestowed on members of “Team Courage” led by program officer Christine Kapileo.

An emotional Kapileo recognized the presence of at least 23 cancer survivors during the ceremony, expressing her admiration for their victory in the battle against cancer. Medals were given to the survivors for their strength and courage to fight the disease.

Team courage members are: Victoria Antonio, Bobbie Ayres, Joshua Berger, Ramon Bernardo, Joseph Billoti, Edith Guerrero, Alice John, Christine Kapileo, Rita Maravilla, Yuki Sakamoto, Elizabeth Villagomez, Linda Birmingham, Lilia Naoe, Nelida Serrano, Juanita Lulu Malone, Beck Swen, Nora Sablan, Victoria Vaughan, Maggie Camacho, Christine Pramis and Lynn Knight.

The 17 participating teams paraded around the oval showing off their best cheers and their team spirit during the evening. Other participating teams were Northern Marianas Christian Church, Grace Christian Academy, Joeten Motors, Society of Human Resource Managers CNMI Chapter, Kagman High School with Marianas Ayuyu for Life, Team Hinemlo, Hyatt Regency Saipan, Law Enforcement Explorer, Crime Prevention 1 and 2, Team Piao, Mount Carmel School and DFS Galleria.

The opening ceremony ended with the Luminary Ceremony—the lighting of the candles for cancer victims in the CNMI. Miss NMI World Tracy del Rosario and Miss NMI South Pacific Louiena Pangelinan read the list of the names of cancer victims in the CNMI.

Closing the event at 5:15am yesterday was a final lap that started at the front of the stage and was opened to all participants and the awarding of the winners.

Eliptico said they are excited and very pleased with the outcome of the event. “We thank the people who showed their support. It was very overwhelming,” he said. Eliptico said his group is hoping to raise more funds in next year’s March.

The event’s sponsors included DFS Galleria Saipan, Joeten Charitable Foundation, Verizon, Younis Arts Studio, Shell Marianas, Saipan Mayor’s Office, Office of Personnel Management, Hotel Association of the Northern Mariana Islands, Power 99 and the Rock 97.9.