Sakovich wishes Eli Wong well

Bill Sakovich said he and his family is happy that triathlete and longtime Saipan Swim Club volunteer Eli Wong is recovering well from a recent episode in which his heart stopped and led to him being comatose for several days at the Commonwealth Health Center.

He said the Wongs have always been very supportive of the islands’ swimming and triathlon programs, which saw Eli and son Renze participating. Sakovich said he soon would be sending a contribution to a fundraising drive that was started to help the Wongs pay for an operation that inserted a defibrillator into Eli’s chest.

Saipan Community Church pastor Roger Abe said Eli, his wife Millet and their youngest son are currently in Cebu, Philippines recuperating. He said specialists in the Philippines described his episode as cardiac pulmonary arrest, which necessitates him being operated on and the implanting of the defibrillator.

He said doctors suspect that not enough electricity is going to Eli’s heart, which caused him to loose consciousness and his heart to stop. Pastor Abe said that’s why specialists have recommended the defibrillator implant to avoid further episodes in the future.

Pastor Abe said the Wongs were given a loan of 1.6 million pesos (About $32,000) to initially pay for the operation. Saipan Community Church is currently fundraising to help the Wong family pay off the loan and is accepting donations.

Prior to his episode and subsequent heart stoppage, Eli has been active in the local sports scene, helping organize as well as competing in local swimming and triathlon events. His oldest son, Rezne, is part of the CNMI National Swimming Team that raked in the lion’s share of the medals in the 2005 Palau South Pacific Mini Games. Rezne is again set to carry the CNMI’s colors during the 6th Micronesian Games set from June 22 to July 3 here on Saipan.

Those who would like to extend their help to the Wongs can contact Saipan Community Church at 234-6242 and look for Pastor Abe.

Aside from Saipan Community Church, the Northern Mariana Islands Triathlon Federation is also hosting an event on March 26, wherein the Off-Road Adventure XTERRA Type Extreme Race Event IV, or ORAXTERE, has been renamed to EWO-RAXTERE in honor of Eli. NMITF said proceeds from the race would be donated to help pay the Wongs’ medical expenses.

For more information on the EWO-RAXTERE and NMITF, email event coordinator and association officer Sue Knecht at sueknecht1@yahoo.com.