THE Marianas March Against Cancer returned to Saipan on Friday, May 3, the first time the event was held since 2019.
Booths at this year’s venue at the Airport Field in As Lito were set up at 3 p.m. while the opening ceremony began at 6. p.m. and concluded at 11 p.m.
Previous marches were held from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m.
Commonwealth Cancer Association Board President Jocelyn Deleon Guerrero delivered the opening remarks on Friday, highlighting the event’s ability to unite the community for cancer awareness, and celebrate cancer survivors and their families.
“The [MMAC] represents [the] community coming together to share the fight against cancer,” Deleon Guerrero said. “It gives us the opportunity to celebrate. … We celebrate the cancer survivors in our lives and support them in their fight against the disease. We celebrate the caregivers and thank them for everything that they do. We celebrate taking one more step toward a cancer-free CNMI.”
Lt. Gov. David M. Apatang, in his capacity as acting governor, addressed the crowd to honor those who have passed away from the disease.
“I look out into the crowd before me this evening and I am reminded of one thing — our true commitment to continue the legacy of supporting one another and to remember and pray for our loved ones whose lives cancer has claimed. This march should be especially dedicated to their memories,” he said.
Apatang advocated for cancer screenings to catch the disease in its early stages. “We need to reach out to our loved ones and encourage them to consider getting screened,” he said. “Cancer in our community has become common today and it is alarming.”
He said the disease is an “ordeal.”
“As a cancer survivor myself I can tell you that cancer takes everything you have in your body and it turns it into unbearable pain,” Apatang said.
“Let us commit to spreading the word that chewing betelnut, smoking tobacco, eating unhealthy food and snacks packed with preservatives, [and] living a sedentary lifestyle can cause illness and cancer,” he added.
At the conclusion of the opening ceremony speeches, cancer survivors led the first lap of the march.
Acting Gov. David M. Apatang speaks to other cancer survivors and their families at the Marianas March Against Cancer on Friday.
Volunteers prepare the luminaries.
The lighting of luminaries that bear the names of those affected by cancer are one of the highlights of the annual Marianas March Against Cancer.
Father James Balajadia leads the invocation.
Cancer survivors march during this year’s MMAC at the Airport Field in As Lito on Friday.
