Over 200 take part in Lions Club’s 5K walkathon

More than 200 community members supported the Saipan Marianas Lions Club’s 5-kilometer walkathon last Sunday morning.

The 5th Annual Saipan Marianas Lions Club 5K Walkathon started at the Carolinian Utt in Garapan until Hardt Eye Clinic and back and was a fundraiser organized to raise awareness about diabetes and the importance of physical activity for good health.

Saipan Marianas Lions Club president Dyna Bedruz Cabrera said the proceeds from the fundraiser will be donated to the CHCC Dialysis Center and other service activities in the Northern Mariana Islands.

“As Lions serving our community, we support the Lions Clubs International Global Causes of Diabetes, Vision, Childhood Cancer, Hunger and Environment. Where there’s a need, there’s a Lion—we serve!” she said.

The registration started at 5am in the morning. The walkathon kicked off with a 30-minute Zumba session facilitated by Fitbeat Familia. Participants then started their 5K walk at exactly 6:30am.

Participants started arriving from their 5K stroll around an hour later. Alongside fresh fruits, juice, and coffee that were served, there were also free reading glasses given out. Volunteer nurses from the CHCC Dialysis Center offered free blood sugar screening and blood pressure reading for the participants.

Ariane Baculod and Klea Catanos served as the event’s emcees.

The morning activity was concluded with a raffle and 76 lucky winners came home with valuable prizes that promote health and wellness.

Saipan Marianas Lions Club would like to thank the following sponsors of the 5th Annual Saipan Marianas Lions Club 5K Walkathon: Tan Holdings & TSL Foundation, Marianas Eye Institute, D&Q International Distributors, Century Insurance, CTSI Logistics, Hardt Eye Clinic, Monito Co, SM and Marie Javier, Triple J Wholesale, Cargo Express, WESTCO Quality Feeds, MADFLEX Group, ARMATECH Corp., Chicago Filipino Lions Club, D.G. Blanca Imbo, Marcelo Masilungan, Ladyvir and Jun Canape, Marianas Printing, Micronesian Environmental Services, LLC, Sapphire Enterprises, Marianas Deal, Tom Yum Restaurant, MARPAC, Graphics, La Mesa Kusina, Godfather’s Bar, Fork & Spoon House of Sizzling, Shirley’s Catering, Flor Miranda, Tony Soriano, MARFEGA Trading, Pho Tam Vietnamese Cuisine, Triple R Auto Shop, Ideal Signs, CNMI Division of Youth Services, CNMI Department of Public Safety, CHCC Dialysis Center, KWAW 100 FM Radio Station, Bayani Association, and all Region 2 Lions Clubs and members.