It’s not hard to find an organization that sponsors a walk for a cause in the island.
Each year, various organizations conduct a walk for a cause not only to encourage everybody to get up and walk for better health but also to raise funds for whatever program they are supporting.
On Saipan, the NMI Red Cross sponsors a walk for a cause event in March each year with thousands attending regularly. For the past several years, the Marianas March Against Cancer also holds an overnight walk or run around the Hopwood Junior High School field, never failing to get the support from cancer survivors, cancer victims and their families.
There is also the yearly Northern Marianas Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence walk. The CNMI Public School System encourages not only parents and teachers but the whole community to join the PSS Walk for Life. Then there are organizations that conduct walks in memory of a loved one who passed away.
CNMI Congressman Gregorio C. Sablan said he enjoys walking along the beautiful coastlines of the islands.
“The coastlines of Saipan, Tinian and Rota are wonderful places to go for a walk. Walking for me helps me with my health, my weight, and it helps me clear my thoughts. And it is always very pleasant,” Sablan said.
Walking for good causes, whether it is for the American Red Cross, the Northern Marianas Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence, the March against Cancer at Hopwood, the Joeten Family Fitness, or any other organization is always a welcome respite for anyone’s very busy schedules, he added.
“I encourage our citizens and residents to walk for good causes, for their health and for fun,” Sablan said.
Dr. David Khorram, co-founder and medical director of Marianas Eye Institute, said walks promote the purpose of the walk, in three ways.
He said that the hosting organizations raise money for their cause, as is the case with the Red Cross Walk-a-thon. Second, they raise awareness of the cause and remind people of worthy organizations. Third, walking engages the participants in an active way and connects them to the organization.
“It’s a physical show of support,” Khorram said.
He added that walking in and of itself is a great form of exercise. However, Khorram said walking a few times a year won’t do much to improve your health.
“If you’re using the organized walks as a way to stay fit, it probably won’t help much. But walking 3 to 5 times a week, fast enough to make you breathe hard is proven to help reduce the risks of heart disease and diabetes,” Khorram added.
Children in schools are also encouraged to get up and walk for a cause. Hopwood Junior High School principal Jonas Barcinas said that just last month, over 400 students from HJHS and San Antonio Elementary School joined the Live Live Healthy Walk from the Oleai Beach club pavilion to the 13th Fisherman and back.
“The event is part of the wellness practices being encouraged in schools for the kids to be healthy and help prevent diabetes,” Barcinas said.
“Everybody needs to be proactive in taking care of their health because of the increasing number of deaths from various common diseases,” he added.
Benefits of walking
Just like other forms of exercise, walking helps you achieve several health benefits. This includes lowering your low-density lipoprotein or the “bad” cholesterol and raising your high-density lipoprotein or “good” cholesterol. Walking also lowers your blood pressure and reduces the risk of Type 2 diabetes. It improves your mood and keeps you strong and fit.
When you go out walking, wear comfortable walking shoes and clothing that is appropriate for the weather.
Why not check out which organization in the island is holding walks for a cause and join? It’s worthwhile and fun and beneficial.
