Total funds raised for this year’s event at the Hopwood Junior High School track and field on Friday reached $77,249.35. Last year’s collection was $71,000.
Thirteen teams under four categories vied for different awards during the night-long event.
The Pacific Islands Club under the Pution/corporate category topped this year’s collections, raising a total of $15,421.17. Bodig team under the Pulan/family category followed with a collection of $11,045.42.
The Transportation Security Administration team under the Atdao/government/non-profit organizations category came third with a collection of $3,562.75. Grace Christian Academy under the Napu/schools category collected $2,492.19.
Team Bodig is this year’s top seller with 1,194 luminaries sold worth $5,970. The team also won the Best Baton and the Most Spirited awards.
The Best Tent Award went to the Transportation Security Administration, while the Team Binadu composed of Marianas Health and GTC Elementary School won the award for having the most number of laps for the night — 727.
Chris A. Concepcion, MMAC 2009 media and public relations committee chairman, said that the funds collected will be spent locally for cancer awareness programs and special services for cancer patients in the CNMI.
Cancer survivors who joined the victory lap were recognized and received medallions.
MMAC 2009 chairman David Rosario said there are more than 200 cancer survivors in the CNMI but not everyone was willing to come out in the open.
The 2009 MMAC title sponsors were Bank of Guam, IT&E, Delta/Northwest Airlines, Take-Care/FHP, Sorensen Media Group, DFS and Joeten Charitable Foundation.
The major sponsors were Younis Arts Studio/Marianas Variety, Bank of Saipan, Saipan Mayor’s Office, Docomo Pacific, Shell Marianas, Bank of Hawaii, Angil Design, Hyatt Regency Saipan, Images Saipan Ltd., and DFS Durables Club of Saipan.
Acting Gov. Eloy S. Inos said in his opening message that cancer can be beaten through “early detection and treatment, regular exercise and having a positive outlook in life.”
Cancer is one of the two top causes of death in the CNMI.
