HAGÅTÑA, GUAM, May 12. – Even in the wake of a pandemic, cancer and organizations who fight cancer never rest. The American Cancer Society leads Guam’s efforts in the fight against cancer while supporting the island’s population affected by the disease.
The organization started in 1913 as the American Society for the Control of Cancer. At that time, a cancer diagnosis meant near-certain death. Their primary goal was to raise the public’s awareness about the disease.
In 1936, a legion of volunteers whose sole purpose was to wage war on cancer was organized, and in the years that followed eventually reorganized into the American Cancer Society.
In 1970, Guam joined the fight when Former First Lady Lourdes Camacho established the American Cancer Society Guam. No matter the location, the mission of ASC remains the same: save lives, celebrate lives, and lead the fight for a world without cancer.
This mission carries on even in a pandemic. Since COVID-19 is especially dangerous to those with compromised immune systems, cancer patients are among those at the highest risk when exposed to the virus.
Community, Cancer and COVID-19
For Tina Noket, ACS senior community development manager, the fight against cancer goes on even during the lockdown.
A UOG alumna with a background in social work, Noket initially got involved with ACS through work before taking on her current position. She assists ACS in delivering cancer education and develop awareness programs and patients’ services for Guam’s community.
She also plays a part in organizing ACS’s many events, the most prominent being the annual Relay for Life held in May.
Other events include the Real Men Wear Pink campaign, various conferences, and training for medical professionals, survivors and the community to get involved.
Volunteers like Cerina Mariano offer their time to ACS and encourage others to do so.
“There’s different kinds of tasks for different kinds of strengths, and the staff is always so appreciative of any help they can get,” Mariano said.
While this year’s Relay for Life has been postponed due to the current COVID-19 situation, ACS continues to run operations remotely.
The pandemic has severely impacted the group’s annual fundraising activities such as Relay for Life and greatly limits the group’s efforts to gather.
“We are working with our volunteers on a plan that would allow us to continue to engage our community in the fight against cancer while adhering to the executive orders put forth by the Governor,” Noket said.
Cancer survivors like David Santos have also been affected by the cancelation of the event.
Santos was diagnosed with thyroid cancer in 2016 and had received treatment in the Philippines.
Santos wanted to run the Relay with his family this year in honor of his older brother, who lost his fight with the disease in September 2018.
“I want to do more for those who aren’t as lucky as I am,” Santos said. “Groups like ACS are important because they show the people looking for the cure how important their jobs are.”
Patients can reach still reach ACS via telephone. They are delivering limited patient services such as gas cards, scarves, and hats via the mail weekly. Patients can also call their 800.227.2345 toll-free number should they have any questions.
Noket encourages the community to come together in support now more than ever. “To quote Helen Keller, ‘Alone we can do so little, but together we can do so much,” Noket said.