CNMI resident brings cheers to 3 young cancer survivors

For Francisco Palacios, life was always about giving back to the community. A resident of Saipan, Palacios left the islands many years ago when he responded to the nation’s call to duty. With his deep love for freedom and liberty, Palacios remained on active duty until he became eligible for full military retirement a couple of years ago.

Although retired from the military, Palacios never retired from volunteering. He still actively participates in numerous California organizations such as the Bay Area Food Drive and makes monthly contributions to the Kidney Foundation and Children’s Research Hospitals.

Then, a little less than a year ago, Palacios found himself in Honolulu and took it upon himself to visit several patients under the CNMI medical referral program. During one of those visits, Palacios had the opportunity to meet three resilient teenagers from the CNMI who continue to battle the challenges of cancer day in and day out. Palacios was awed by the zeal for life he saw in young Calvin, Erickson and Kuuipo even as they underwent chemotherapy treatment.

He spent some time getting to know the three teenagers and the challenges they have faced being away from their homeland for well over a year already. Palacios was moved by the common challenge the two young men and young lady shared in common: communicating with family back home. The three shared how their communications to their loved ones were limited because of the costs associated with making long distance calls. Palacios left the hospital that day with this common obstacle lingering in his mind.

Thereafter, Palacios felt the need to find a solution for the teenagers. He enlisted the assistance of Bruce Jobe from the Honolulu Elks Lodge (the Elks support a variety of charities, programs and scholarships), Shane Fivella and Saipan resident Shirley Santos. Together, they launched their Summer Cancer Drive Event of 2011 through the Facebook social network. Through their efforts, donations started to trickle in from CNMI residents now living in Texas, Las Vegas and Seattle. A generous amount of assistance came through from family and friends in the Honolulu area as well.

From the proceeds of the drive, Palacios and his group were able to bring cheers to the young teenagers in a luncheon gathering at Magic Island – Ala Moana Beach Park this past July 17th where they presented Kuuipo with a laptop computer to help her communicate more frequently via the internet with her family back home. Calvin and Erickson each received $300 cash to defray the costs of purchasing long distance calling cards and school supplies for the upcoming school year.

For Francisco Palacios, it is the spirit of gratification that pushes him to give back whenever possible. He simply stated, “It is gratifying to know that compassion is a great asset in life. Through our words and actions, we can help each other overcome challenges to make the world a better place.”

Angel A. Demapan currently serves as the Administration’s press secretary. However, he served as Medical Referral Coordinator for the Marianas Hawaii Medical Referral Office from 2006-2010, during which Calvin, Erickson and Kuuipo began undergoing cancer treatment. [B][I](Angel Demapan)[/I][/B]