{"id":408658,"date":"2024-05-06T14:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-05-06T14:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/?p=408658"},"modified":"-0001-11-30T00:00:00","modified_gmt":"-0001-11-29T14:00:00","slug":"Marianas-March-Against-Cancer-returns-after-5-years","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/index.php\/Marianas-March-Against-Cancer-returns-after-5-years\/","title":{"rendered":"Marianas March Against Cancer returns after 5 years"},"content":{"rendered":"

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.<\/p>\n

A total of 17 teams\u2014a mix of government, private sector, schools, and families\u2014joined 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.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe teams, they\u2019re amazing. And then the field, just to have a full circle of full luminaries\u2014that\u2019s 3,000-plus luminarias in honor and in memory. So that\u2019s 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\u2019t have the right resource or awareness to know that MMAC is available. MMAC is here. MMAC is about spreading awareness,\u201d said 2024 MMAC chair Jenypy Sambile.<\/p>\n

She then thanked everyone who made the 2024 edition of the MMAC a success.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe 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\u2019s used within the CNMI for our patients here.\u201d<\/p>\n

The night\u2019s 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\u2019t 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.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s great to have this come back after the pandemic. Today\u2019s turnout is amazing. I can say maybe like a thousand-plus community members out here so I\u2019m very, very pleased with the turnout. It\u2019s really one community, one journey and I\u2019m really happy that we have these government agencies that came out to really help us push forward to make this event happen tonight. I\u2019m really happy to see that our survivors are very happy as well.\u201d<\/p>\n

After running her laps, Chantilly Kaipat from Team Selepeo Strong, shared that for her, this was about supporting family.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think it really shows family really got us through everything. There\u2019s 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

Originally Team Selepeo Strong wanted to join MMAC in 2020 but it got canceled due to COVID-19.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is our first year and the turnout is really great and we hope to do this in the years to come,\u201d said Kaipat.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen 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\u2019re not alone and know and that everybody\u2019s here for the same cause, its inspiring and comforting.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sambile said they\u2019re already aiming for an even bigger event next year as they celebrate 20 years of the MMMAC.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m hoping that we can get even more private businesses and government agencies involved to really make next year\u2019s 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\u2019s our goal for next year.\u201d<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Many paid their respects to those who are battling cancer or those who have passed away in the fight against cancer by lighting over 3,000 luminaries during the 2024 Marianas March Against Cancer last Friday night at the CPA Airport field.<\/p>\n

-CHRYSTAL MARINO
<\/figcaption><\/figure>

<\/p>\n

Team Hope members share a smile just before taking on the makeshift track at the 2024 Marianas March Against Cancer last Friday night at the CPA Airport field.<\/p>\n

-CHRYSTAL MARINO
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