13th Marianas March Against Cancer set for May 1-2

THE 2015 Marianas March Against Cancer, the largest annual event to raise funds for the fight against cancer in the CNMI will be held from May 1, 6 p.m., to May 2, 6 a.m., at the Hopwood Junior High School field in Chalan Piao.

Diana I. Benavente, this year’s overall committee chair, said the team has begun preparations for the event and they are once again seeking the support of the community to join the battle against cancer.

“We raised a substantial amount during the cancer march last year and we hope to match or exceed that this year. With this being the 13th year of the MMAC, we are confident that the community will come out in full force in support of the battle against cancer,” Benavente said.

The 12-hour event will feature teams competing in four categories â€" Pulan (Families), Napu (Schools), Puti’un (Businesses) and Atdao (Non-Profit/Government Agencies).

Benavente said it’s possible to have a combination of any two categories such as a school and a business, a school and a non-profit organization, a business and a non-profit organization, and so forth, and the registration fee will be determined by the category or combination of categories each team falls under.

Teams will be competing to win awards for Best Tent, Best Baton, Most Money Raised in each category, Most Luminaries sold, Most Spirit and Most Laps.

“We are inviting all families, businesses, schools, non-profit organizations and government agencies to participate as teams,” Benavente said.

For details on forming a team please contact team recruitment committee chairs Catherine Attao-Toves at 285-1828, Tara T. White at 483-8272, Bobby Cruz at 287-2792 or Daniel Brown at 287-3276 or email [email protected].

The cancer march is also a time for the community to pay their respects to all those who have been directly affected by cancer.

Cancer survivors and those currently undergoing cancer treatments are invited to the annual survivor dinner held in their honor. Each survivor will be treated to a complimentary dinner buffet and will be awarded a unique medallion and t-shirt commemorating their fight against cancer.

“This is a very important part of the MMAC. Every one of us knows someone who has been affected by cancer and the survivor ceremony is our chance to celebrate their perseverance and strength,” Benavente said.

To participate in the survivor dinner or for more information contact survivor committee chair Nora Sablan at 285-5124 or email [email protected].

The luminary ceremony will be held in honor and in memory of loved ones who have survived cancer, are currently undergoing treatment or have lost the fight against this deadly affliction.

Benavente said candles will be lit inside a white bag with each one bearing the name of someone who has been touched by cancer. Each luminary is only $5 and can be purchased from any team or at the MMAC event itself. For more information contact luminary committee chair Jenypy Sambile at 483-4739 or email [email protected].

2015 MMAC committee

The 2015 MMAC committee members include Benavente as overall chair, Krizia Mendoza as overall vice chair; Manny Borja and Joyce Santos for accounting and registration; Jenypy Sambile, luminaries; Matthew Deleon Guerrero and Christopher A. Concepcion, public relations; Janine Nogis and A.J. Guerrero, logistics; Nola Hix, sponsorships; Nora Sablan, survivors; Catherine Attao-Toves, Tara T. White, Bobby Cruz, Daniel Brown and Mark Sonoda, team recruitment; Geralyn C. Dela Cruz and Ashley Benavente for T-shirts.

The MMAC committee will hold its next team meeting on March 4, at 5:30 p.m. in the CCA conference room on Middle Road in Gualo Rai. Interested members of the community are urged to attend this meeting where important information will be discussed.

For more information, contact Diana Benavente at 285-2197, email [email protected] or visit www.ccamarianas.org/.