TACOMA, Wash. — The American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life in Tacoma, Washington will see Team Marianas leading the Parade of Teams at its opening ceremony on Saturday, May 21.
Relay for Life is an annual event that honors the cancer community, including survivors, families, caregivers, volunteers, and those who have passed away from cancer.
Team Marianas is representing the Marianas community at the event. Their formation began with one family honoring two Matriarchs whose roots lie in Chalan Kiya, Saipan.
“In 2018, our mom was diagnosed with colon cancer,” Team Marianas Co-Captain Lupe Urdaneta stated, “We saw that the American Cancer Society in Tacoma, WA is very active in organizing small and large events for survivors, caregivers, families of those who lost their loved ones to cancer and active in cancer awareness.”
“In 2019, we registered our mom and auntie to participate that year.”
Urdaneta’s sister Roz Leon Guerrero is Team Mariana’s Team co-captain and shared her family’s history in supporting cancer awareness prior to their move to Washington state.
“Relay for Life is very important to my family,” Leon Guerrero said, “It began in Saipan in 1999 under this name and by the year 2000, the name changed to Marianas March Against Cancer.”
“Several family members were affected by the disease,” Leon Guerrero continued, “my grandmother, my mom and two of my mom’s siblings. My family’s team is famously known as ‘TEAM BODIG’ and it started out within my mother’s family.”
“Over the years the team has grown to included extended families and close family friends whose family members are inflicted with the disease,” she said.
Recognition & open call
In 1985, Dr. Gordon Klatt spent 24 hours walking and running around a track in Tacoma to raise funds for the American Cancer Society. The year that followed, 19 teams joined his lead. Every year since the event has raised more awareness and funding for cancer research.
“The Parade of Teams is our opportunity to recognize and celebrate the incredible teams that support our Relay For Life event,” Senior Development Manager of American Cancer Society’s West Region Julie Auve said, “The Parade of Teams encourages the entire team to take a lap together.”
Team Marianas has already surpassed their fundraising goal, but continues to invite community members to join their team to lead the Parade of Team at Relay for Life this Saturday.
“Come out and join us from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. We’ll have a tent with refreshments and drinks. And join us as we ‘Wave Goodbye to Cancer,’ ” said Leon Guerrero.
Leon Guerrero added that families who wish to honor a cancer survivor or remember a cancer victim can dedicate a special Luminaria in their names. These names will be displayed on screen at the event and on the luminaria itself.
“There is also a survivors lap — you feel the emotion. The survivors look forward to it every year,” Leon Guerrero said, “I’m just really happy that my mom gets to walk again.”
“Our event would not be as successful as it is without teams like Team Marianas.” Auve said, “We are honored to have Team Marianas sharing their passion with us and joining in our fight for a world without cancer.”
For more team and Luminaria details, contact Roz at rmclguerrero@gmail.com or call (360) 975-2891. Deadline to sign up is Friday, May 20.
Online registration is here: http://main.acsevents.org/goto/TeamMarianasWA.
Alicia Bodig Leon Guerrero, Relay For Life 2019.
