I HAVE been here on Saipan a little over 20 years and I am as close to 100 years old as I am to 20 years old. I have thought many times over those years to write a letter to the editor and I have not. When I was younger growing up in Southern California there was no one to tell me that baking in the sun was bad for you. So everything I did surfing, tennis, golfing hanging out on the beach was with NO sunscreen (actually I used coconut oil to help speed up the burning process), NO hat, sunglass, shirt or pants. After California the past 40 years have been spent in the Middle East, Southeast Asia, Australia and here — more sun.
To the point, for the past 20 years on Saipan around every three years I have had to have two or three skin cancers removed from my face, arms, back and hands all done at CHC. My last removal was last week Monday and I had six removed from my face. I looked like I had done three rounds in a cage with a six-pack of razor blades. Everyday people would say, “What happened to you, did you get into...” After I tell them what really happened, every one of them would say where did you have it done, like thinking maybe Guam, Honolulu, Los Angeles etc. I then proudly tell them that I had it and all previous one’s done right here at CHC. The reaction is the same, a little blank look on their face like, “You really did have it done here.” So I want to say to whoever reads this Saipan has some very good talent located within the walls of CHC who are doing good work with a good attitude in not the best of working conditions (through no fault of theirs). Eight days later you would not know what had been done by Doctor Sawer and staff, they did a great job. So at a time when money is short on Saipan and depending on what work needs to be done you might take a better look in your own backyard before getting an off island referral. With all the doom and gloom try and look on the positive side we have some of the best air anyone on earth can breathe at no cost. We have clear skies, great golf and by and large a pretty friendly population so ENJOY. Thank you CHC and staff.

RICHARD M. JONES
Capital Hill, Saipan