Marianas March Against Cancer is back!

After a five-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Marianas March Against Cancer is returning this May 3, 2023, once again to make a resounding statement of community support in the fight against cancer.

Commonwealth Cancer Association board president Roman Bo Palacios, interim executive director Lynn Tenorio, and MMAC 2024 chair Jenypy Sambile announced last Tuesday the return of this popular event in an official launch at their headquarters in the Marina Heights building in Puerto Rico

The team said they are excited to revive this longtime community event, especially as they draw close to 20 years of hosting the march on Saipan.

This year, MMAC will be held at the CPA Airport Field and, instead of the typical 12-hour event, the MMAC will last just eight hours, “just to have this as a comeback in reviving MMAC again, just to get everybody back to feeling what it’s like to be part of the event.”

“So we’re keeping it at eight hours until next year where we’re highlighting 20 years of Marianas March Against Cancer,” said Sambile.

The event will begin at 3pm on May 3, but the march will officially start with an opening ceremony at 6pm and the march will continue until 11pm.

Aside from changes made to the march’s duration, Sambile said most traditional happenings will remain the same, including celebrating cancer survivors and remembering those who’ve been lost to cancer.

Tenorio said the money raised during MMAC will be used to provide for cancer patients’ needs, whether it be prescriptions, nutritional supplements, or hospital beds, wheelchairs etc. “We also use the money for community education and promotion of [cancer] prevention,” she said.

There are six tiers of entry for participating teams: Pulan for families and Napu for schools, will cost $300 for both; Atdao for non-profits, $399; Tano for non-profit organizations partnering with a school, educational institution or government agency, $500; Puti’on for corporations, $550; and Tasi for corporations partnering with a family, non-profit organization or school, $750.

For new registrants, there is a $100 discount for early bird registration. Registration is ongoing and interested community members and groups can email recruitment.mmac@gmail.com/.

Early bird pricing will end March 15, and the final registration deadline is March 27.

There will be four tiers of sponsorship packages: The first is at $10,000, and that sponsorship is usually represented on the MMAC shirt. The second one is $8,000-plus, the third $3,000-plus, and fourth is $1,000-plus. They will also recognize $500 and up sponsorships. This includes in-kind and monetary donations.

Sambile said the MMAC is not just about walking or raising funds. “They are about solidarity, hope, and resilience. They serve as powerful reminders that when we come together as a community, we can reach remarkable things. By participating in and supporting each other, we send a message of unity and determination to those fighting cancer, letting them know that they are not alone in the battle.”

Palacios said they are excited to hold the event once again, especially after a long break.

“This event has gotten many in the community really excited. Because it really is the community coming together. It’s not just the MMAC Committee. …We have other nonprofits who are participating. …We have government agencies. We have schools. We have corporate partners. …And so it really is a community-driven event,” Palacios said.

The opportunity to relaunch the MMAC is important not just for the Commonwealth Cancer Association, but also for the community, Palacios said.