Second Saturday Strides is the CCA’s newest initiative to raise funds for cancer awareness and patient support programs, and to promote healthy physical activity in the community. The 3-mile fun run/walk is held on the second Saturday of every month, and a $5 donation per person is requested.
Board fundraising committee chairwoman Jocelyn Deleon Guerrero thanked all the participants, sponsors, and partners who helped make the CCA’s first Strides a success. “All in all, we had approximately 24 individuals participate in Second Saturday Strides on August 14, and in a couple of hours that morning, together we raised $175 in cash and approximately $300 in in-kind contributions,” she said. In addition, Deleon Guerrero noted that new CCA volunteers and survivors were registered that day.
All of the proceeds from Second Saturday Strides go towards the CCA’s outreach and education efforts to promote cancer risk reduction and early detection, and support services for cancer patients, including the financial assistance program of up to $500 per cancer patient per year for supplies such as nutritional supplements, prosthetic devices, and wound care kits, and equipment on loan such as wheelchairs, hospital beds, and oxygen concentrators, at no charge.
Board president Alex Sablan expressed his gratitude to Second Saturday Strides sponsors Foremost Foods and Micronesian Brokers; volunteers Eulalia Villagomez, Ann Lores, Nathania Maui, Alexis Hofschneider, Ana Ada, and Osang Tan; partners Department of Public Health, Comprehensive Cancer Control Program and the American Red Cross; and all the runners and walkers who participated in the event.
“Second Saturday Strides is truly a collaborative effort, and we have many people to thank for their generosity,” Sablan said. “Foremost Foods provided bottles of water to hand out to our participants, Micronesian Brokers gave out samples of oatmeal as well as Ensure in a variety of flavors, the Comprehensive Cancer Control Program provided wristband giveaways symbolizing cancer survivorship and support, the American Red Cross provided a tent and coolers, and of course our volunteers and supporters gave of their time and energy to make it happen. We are grateful to them all, and we hope that they continue in their support of the Commonwealth Cancer Association in the months and years to come,” he added.
The next Second Saturday Strides is slated for Saturday, Sept. 11, from Minatchom Atdao to Quartermaster Intersection and back, with registration beginning at 5:30am.
The Commonwealth Cancer Association is a nonprofit, tax-exempt organization that advocates for a cancer-free CNMI through public education about cancer prevention and early detection, and provides support to cancer patients, survivors, and their families through community partnerships and programs. For more information, call 682-0050, email [email protected], or visit www.ccamarianas.org .
