Annual anti-cancer relay this weekend

The annual Relay for Life is once more calling on the community to participate in this year’s edition of the fundraising event this weekend.

The 4th Annual Marianas March Against Cancer, as the event is now called, will be held this Friday and Saturday, May 12 and 13, at the Hopwood Jr. High School track and field from 6pm to 6am.

Gov. Benigno R. Fitial and Saipan Mayor Juan B. Tudela led the proclamation signing for the March yesterday morning at the DFS Galleria in Garapan.

Commonwealth Cancer Association members and officers, MMAC chairman Tricia Tudela, DFS general manager Mark Sullivan, and a number of cancer survivors attended the proclamation signing.

Themed “One Community. One Journey,” this year’s March Against Cancer is committed to raising money to increase awareness on the prevention of cancer as well as to support patients and families who are battling the disease. The event also aims to support research efforts to find a cure for cancer.

Tricia Tudela said that proceeds from the event would go to the development of the first Cancer Registry for the CNMI.

“The CNMI Cancer Registry will provide vital information on cancer cases on island that may lead to the attainment of federal grants and other assistance to expand our existing resources,” she said.

According to the press kit distributed by MMAC, the event would have DFS Galleria, PTI International, and Joeten Charitable Foundation as its title sponsors.

“These wonderful companies have been contributing to the event since its start in 2003,” said the MMAC.

MMAC committee member Reina Camacho said every year her participation as one of the organizers of the event becomes more meaningful as her own mom, Maggie, is still fighting for her life. She said her 55-year-old mother was diagnosed with breast cancer two years ago and is now in remission.

She said she feels there is a greater urgency on her part to participate and be involved with outreach programs to support the fight against the dreaded disease. She added that the government should fund more programs for awareness and medical research to save more lives.

MMAC also gives everyone an opportunity to celebrate the victory of cancer survivors and remember those who have lost the fight, said Tricia Tudela.

“Team Courage is the name we have given to our survivors who will be honored on the evening of the event,” she said.

This year’s Relay for Life would again include the Survivor’s Lap and the Luminary Ceremony, where thousands of paper bag with candles inside would be lighted around the field by those who would like to honor or dedicate a candle to their loved ones affected by cancer.

Candles for the Luminary Ceremony will be sold at $5 each before and during the event.

The event will feature schools, family, company and government teams that will be selling food, drinks and other items as well as the walking or running around the Hopwood track. There are 15 teams that have already confirmed their participation in the relay this weekend.