MMAC raises grand total of $200,772

Luminaries light up the evening in commemoration of those who succumbed to cancer. The community remembered their loved ones and survivors of the dreaded disease in Friday’s Marianas March Against Cancer at the Hopwood Middle School grounds.(Jon Perez)

A power outage was only a minor setback at the 2017 Marianas March Against Cancer late Friday night and early Saturday morning at the Hopwood Middle School field.

Lightning struck a power pole at around 4:20am, causing a 45-minute power outage at the Marianas March Against Cancer event last Saturday.

Although there was no power, runners and supporters of the 2017 MMAC stuck around and continued their run. According to MMAC committee chair Carol Hosono and co-chair Bobby Cruz, they were thrilled to see how much spirit and commitment everyone had for the event.

Hundreds came out to show their support for the cause. A supporter aid she first joined the event nine years ago. She has not missed one since then. According to her, most of her peers join to come out and hang around, meet people. For her she comes to support the cause and to run in honor of her late grandfather who died of cancer.

“I know running won’t bring back my grandpa but if I run, I support the cause and the cause is to help those who are fighting cancer. …I know my grandpa would have wanted me to do this,” she said.

Government officials like Saipan Mayor David M. Apatang and Gov. Ralph DLG Torres also came out to support the MMAC.

According to Torres, the event is very significant for him and the people of the CNMI. “Tonight we are all fighting for the same cause.”

Apatang, who was one of the opening speakers of the 2017 Marianas March Against Cancer, remembered his late wife, who passed away from cancer just a few months ago.

According to Apatang, he didn’t just join the march in honor of his late wife but to celebrate too as a cancer survivor.

Cancer survivor Patty Cruz told the crowd that, at one point during her illness, she was bedridden and close to death. Yet because of perseverance and the support of her loved ones, she overcame and survived.

According to Hosono, the MMAC raised a grand total of $200,772 in cash and in-kind donations, expenses deducted. Last year, the MMAC raised a grand total of $189,344 in cash and in-kind donation, expenses deducted. All the proceeds raised will go the Commonwealth Cancer Association.

During the closing ceremony, plaques were handed out to teams that won in categories like most funds raised, best baton, best tent, most spirited, most laps, most luminaries sold, rising star, and rookie of the year.

Team Bodig, a team under the Pulan (family) category, took home almost every award during the 2017 MMAC awarding ceremony.

Team Bodig took home the best baton award, most money raised in the Pulan Category, most community spirited, and the most luminaries sold.

The Rookie of the Year award went to Docomo Pacific and the Mariana Islands Basketball Federation.

The winner of the Most Laps awards was awarded to Imperial Pacific and Marianas High School.

The Rising Star award was awarded to the Northern Mariana Islands Football Association.

The Best Tent award was awarded to Team Talabok Star. The Most Inspirational Spirit award was awarded to Team Fa’iye. Team Pacific Islands Club won the most money raised in the Puti’on (Corporate) category.

Team Pacific Island’s Club has been supporting the MMAC since it first started 15 years ago, according to team leader Dennis Tababa, and will continue to raise as much money as they possibly can for the Commonwealth Cancer Association.

The Most Money Raised for the Atdao (non-profit/government) category was awarded to the Northern Mariana Islands Football Association.

The Most Money Raised in the Napu (school) category was awarded to Mount Carmel School.

The Most Money Raised in the Tasi (corporate/family, non-profit, or school) category was awarded to Imperial Pacific and Marianas High School.

The Most Money Raised in the Tano (non-profit/school or institution) category was awarded to the CNMI government and Ayuda Network.