Yesterday, the Ayuda Network Inc., one of the coalition’s front liners in the fight against diabetes, received $1,500 from Mobil Oil Mariana Islands Inc. for the 8th Don’t Be A Turkey Walk, a diabetes prevention campaign that coincides yearly with the Thanksgiving celebration.
Cecile Bamba Suda, Mobil Oil’s public and government affairs manager personally handed the check to Ayuda Network acting executive director, Dianne Camacho and coalition chairman George Cruz.
Suda said their company is committed to public health and has been working with Ayuda and the coalition for many years in raising community awareness about diabetes.
“I think it’s a good way for our community to participate in bringing awareness regarding diabetes so that children and adults will recognize the importance of living a healthy life,” Suda said.
Lynn Tenorio, one of the coalition’s founders, said aside from donations, the private sector also provides support through direct participation in their programs.
The highlight of this year’s event is the participation of private companies in the annual walk event, she said.
They expect to have more corporate participation this year.
Cruz, who is also the executive director of the Marianas Health Services, said the corporate participants include the Bank of Guam, Duty Free Shop Galleria, Saipan Stevedore, Mobil Oil and other companies.
He said businesses can significantly help promote diabetes awareness.
The CNMI has one of the highest incidences of diabetes in the world, according to the latest report from the Department of Public Health.
There were 3,691 existing cases of diabetes and 148 new cases diagnosed at the Commonwealth Health Center last year.
More than 70 percent of adult patients admitted to the hospital had been diagnosed with diabetes.
