It was a cumulative community effort that surpassed everyone’s expectations.<\/p>\n
CNMI’s fundraising event of the year, the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life, over the weekend raised some $94,000, based on initial count, in hard-earned funds in the community’s race against one of the deadlier diseases known to man: cancer.<\/p>\n
Cancer survivors, organization members, leaders, students, professionals, and CNMI families held hands at the Hopwood Junior High School field Friday night until early Saturday morning in support of the nation-wide drive to promote a cancer-free society.<\/p>\n
For 12 straight hours, supporters tracked the candle lit trail with high hopes of easing the suffering of local cancer patients as well as from those from all over the world.<\/p>\n
It was a leap of faith for 26 of the participating teams as they also battled against sleep and fatigue, determined to see daylight in line with the cause.<\/p>\n
The event was highlighted with ceremonies that paid special tribute to those who have succumbed to the disease and also to individuals who have won the fight against it.<\/p>\n
“The event has been a tremendous success. The surrounding community exhibited just how charitable they can be as they supported a very worthy cause.
\nThe end result is way beyond our expectations,” said 2000 Relay for Life Committee vice chair Hermie Queja.<\/p>\n
Guam’s Chapter of the American Cancer Society reportedly made some $105,000 under the same fundraiser last month.<\/p>\n
“We did great because compared to a relatively larger community like Guam, we made over $90,000,” added Mr. Queja.<\/p>\n
NMI’s Relay for Life organizing committee had projected to come up with $80,000 prior to the event. Last year’s inaugural Relay for Life event raised over $66,000.<\/p>\n
The team event drew over 143 registered major sponsors, contributors, and supporters.<\/p>\n
Through the course of the 12-hour affair, Mr. Queja estimated that over a thousand people showed up for the event.<\/p>\n
Local bands and entertainers also played a part in enlivening what otherwise would have been an extremely exhausting activity.<\/p>\n
During the closing ceremony, GTEPacifica was proclaimed the highest fundraisers under the business group category, contributing some $13,000 out of the total amount.<\/p>\n
For the non-business organization category, team Bodig garnered top honors raising the most funds from among its contenders.<\/p>\n
Team Bodig again earned recognition for Best Tent. Meanwhile, the Joeten team was named Best Baton among 25 other teams.<\/p>\n
Sixty percent of the total money raised will go to the national organization of the American Cancer Society to be used for research. The remaining funds will be made available to the American Cancer Society NMI Presence Unit for local cancer-preventive programs.<\/p>\n
“In the past, support for cancer patients in the NMI has come from Guam Chapter and the Hawaii Pacific Division. This support came to us without a formal agreement and we acknowledge with gratitude their generosity. With the establishment of the working group in the CNMI and your support of this celebration, the future of cancer education and patient support will be straightened and intensified,” said the NMI Presence Unit Core Group.<\/p>\n
Instrumental in the success of this year’s Relay for Life are the organizing committee headed by chair Alex Sablan, vice chair Queja, Bobbi Grizzard, Jack Hardy, Reina Camacho, Matthew Deets\/Kerry Deets, Kelvin Duenas, Josephine Sablan, Arlene Cabrera, Jim Blend, Yoshio Gabaldon, Carlene Reyes-Tenorio, and Prescilla T. Dela Cruz.<\/p>\n
Its major sponsors include the Joeten Charitable Foundation, Saipan Shipping Company, Hotel Association of the Northern Mariana Islands, Saipan Garment Manufacturers Association, Pacific Islands Club, Hyatt Regency Saipan, Shell Marianas, Micronesian Telecommunications Corporation, GTEPacifica, Microl Corporation Toyota, Saipan Mayor’s Office, Commonwealth Utilities Corporation, Taro Sue, Micronesian Brokers Inc., Marianas Cable Vision, and Power 99 and the Rock 98 FM. (MM)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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