E m m a
n u e l T. E r e d i a n
Variety
News Staff
COMMONWEALTH Cancer As-
sociation earlier this month
came out with comprehensive
program work plan to accomplish its mission: Reduce cancer morbidity
and mortality rates in the CNMI.
The group has set a lot
of objectives for the year 2007 and on. And for them to accomplish
that mission, they would have to get more people involved.
Building partnerships is among the main objectives as they aim to
maximize available partnerships and be able to increase the membership
by 25 percent by 2008.
Among the objectives is to increase the support of local organizations
by 2008, and to achieve this, they plan to continue gaining support
from leaders, local businesses and government organizations.
The group is also looking at lobbying local legislation to involve
the Commonwealth Cancer Coalition within the commonwealth health infrastructure.
They also aim to reduce the percentage of adult and youth smokers
in the CNMI to 20 percent by 2012.
The CCA is the local cancer support organization established in 2003,
under the umbrella of the Commonwealth Health Center Volunteers’
Association.
A non-profit, government organization, the CCA managed by nine-member
board engages in cancer awareness and education, provides patient
support and services and serves as the liaison for cancer matters
in the Commonwealth region. Its operational funding is fully supported
by contributions from corporations, families and individuals.
CCA’s largest community event is the Marianas March Against Cancer
held every year to raise funds for local cancer programs.
The CCA’s new program coordinator, Joanne Ogo is now keeping
herself busy working out on the partnership with the Department of
Public Health and the community.
Upon joining the CCA late last year, Ogo started holding meetings
with the members and organizers of the CNMI Cancer Coalition to address
a work plan for the comprehensive cancer control program for 2007
to 2008.
Ogo, who now holds an office at the public health’s diabetes
control office on Navy Hill, said she came into her position as program
coordinator with a wide variety of knowledge in nutrition, health,
physical activity, and community needs.
Before joining the CCA, she has had opportunities to work with diverse
groups of people while she was with the Northern Marianas College’s
Cooperative Research Extension and Education Services, implementing
food stamp nutrition education programs for food stamp recipients
in the CNMI.
During those times with NMC-CREES, she conducted presentations at
various events in the community and public schools.
She also took the responsibility to develop learning materials on
nutrition, and had the opportunity to attend a nutrition conference
and obesity and physical activity conference.
Ogo was also able to familiarize herself with the duties and responsibilities
of the Coalition when she had the opportunity to attend the Guam Cancer
Coalition meeting.
