SAIPAN Health/St. Jude Renal Care has been involved with the cancer march for the past three years, and this year, its team captains are Selma Salas and Samantha Nepaial.

“Who knew that one word could change your whole world? All the uncertainties, all the unknown and all the fear is now a reality. Your body becomes numb and your heart drops. Cancer is life-changing, and individuals who are fighting the battle need plenty of support,” the team said.

The cancer march provides funding for the Commonwealth Cancer Association, which supports individuals fighting cancer.

Saipan Health/St. Jude Renal Care said cancer has impacted their team on a personal level.

“We have survivors on our team and have lost some to cancer. Why not support a cause that supports our community?”

The team’s favorite part of the event is the survivor walk around the track, which team members describe as “very emotional and powerful.”

“The funds raised go to a great cause and stay on-island. You are helping individuals who are fighting cancer in the CNMI!” the team said.

Team Bodig

Team Bodig will be participating in the Marianas March Against Cancer tonight under team captains Jocelyn Deleon Guerrero and Bridgette M. Camacho.

Team Bodig has been an active participant of the march since 2003, but the team was born in 1999 under the banner of the American Cancer Society’s Relay-For-Life.

The team captains said their mother was struck with cancer in 1994.

“A very strong woman in every sense of the word, she endured the pain of seeing one of her children battle cancer two years later. She knew the importance that family played in a cancer patient’s life. When the opportunity presented itself, there was no question that we would join the march,” the team captains said.

They said that overwhelming support from families and friends such as phone calls, looking after the little ones, and having a shoulder to cry on — gave them the motivation, the courage and the strength to join the fight against this deadly disease.

“Our mother lost her battle to cancer in 2004; our sister is a survivor. We have many family members who lost their battles and more who are survivors, and still a few more who are battling this dreadful disease,” they added.

Team Bodig was formed through the persistence and determination of Gramma Bodig, as she was fondly called.

“Family kept us strong. The path to form a team is no easy task, it takes commitment, dedication, support and most of all, cooperation and understanding. Just by reaching out, our team has grown and keeps on growing,” the team captains said.

Tonight during the march, Team Bodig will sell food and drinks, but most of all, team members will be there “in full support of this worthy cause — whatever it takes!”

The march will be held from 6 p.m. tonight to 6 a.m. tomorrow at the Hopwood Junior High School softball field in Chalan Piao.

For more information, call 285-1828, email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or visit www.ccamarianas.org.

...