Marianas March Against Cancer returns after 5 years

Showcasing their support, love, and spirit of camaraderie, hundreds of community members gathered for the 2024 Marianas March Against Cancer last Friday night at the CPA Airport field.

A total of 17 teams—a mix of government, private sector, schools, and families—joined the event and at the center of the makeshift track over 3,000 luminaries were lit and placed to honor those who are battling cancer and in memory of those who have passed away in the fight against cancer.

“The teams, they’re amazing. And then the field, just to have a full circle of full luminaries—that’s 3,000-plus luminarias in honor and in memory. So that’s another highlight of the event. Just to celebrate those who are still battling this disease and those who have already passed but not forgotten. We are trying to make a difference and ensure the community that those battling cancer in silence because they don’t have the right resource or awareness to know that MMAC is available. MMAC is here. MMAC is about spreading awareness,” said 2024 MMAC chair Jenypy Sambile.

She then thanked everyone who made the 2024 edition of the MMAC a success.

“We had a total of 130 confirmed survivors as of last week when we had a survivor pre-dinner for the event. Then just two days ago, there were an additional 40 new registrants to the Commonwealth Cancer Association. So, I believe that Marianas March Against Cancer, or MMAC, is one of the largest, if not the only large fundraiser for cancer in the CNMI. And the great thing about this is the money we fundraise, it stays within the CNMI, and it’s used within the CNMI for our patients here.”

The night’s fundraising event was the first since 2019 and Sambile said one of the main reasons for the hiatus after the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 was that they didn’t want to endanger patients to the virus since they were the most susceptible. Now with the CNMI almost completely clear of the virus, they were happy to restart the fundraiser.

“It’s great to have this come back after the pandemic. Today’s turnout is amazing. I can say maybe like a thousand-plus community members out here so I’m very, very pleased with the turnout. It’s really one community, one journey and I’m really happy that we have these government agencies that came out to really help us push forward to make this event happen tonight. I’m really happy to see that our survivors are very happy as well.”

After running her laps, Chantilly Kaipat from Team Selepeo Strong, shared that for her, this was about supporting family.

“I think it really shows family really got us through everything. There’s probably almost 50 of us tonight. Most of us will be running and we want to let our survivors take it easy, relax, and see not only everyone, but the great support system that came out for them tonight.”

Originally Team Selepeo Strong wanted to join MMAC in 2020 but it got canceled due to COVID-19.

“This is our first year and the turnout is really great and we hope to do this in the years to come,” said Kaipat.

She added that she felt genuinely touched to see so much support for those battling cancer and to play a part and contribute to the cause was really moving.

“When somebody in our family gets diagnosed [with cancer] we feel like we are at the lowest point in our life and it really feels like rock bottom, but to see that that we’re not alone and know and that everybody’s here for the same cause, its inspiring and comforting.”

Sambile said they’re already aiming for an even bigger event next year as they celebrate 20 years of the MMMAC.

“I’m hoping that we can get even more private businesses and government agencies involved to really make next year’s event even bigger. We are also hoping to include Tinian and Rota as well. We want to include our neighboring islands because we are one CNMI. So, it may be hard to have an event in three different islands at the same time. But we are going to work together as a team, as a committee to ensure that we want to include our survivors on Tinian and Rota. That’s our goal for next year.”