According to UOG associate professor of nursing, Ana Joy Mendez, there is a lack of initiative in the island community to get screened for cancer, causing a rise in cancer rates. This becomes a problem when doctors diagnose people with colorectal cancer late into the disease. Even with colonoscopies, it may be too late to find solutions for these individuals.

As a way to combat this terrible disease, the Guam Community Outreach Core has been developed to increase awareness for cancer and how each individual can prevent this disease. COC is a Guam based outreach program and is part of the UOG Cancer Research Center. It is one of the shared cores with the CRC at the University of Hawaii.

According to the co-principle investigator of COC, Lilnabeth Somera, COC’s main goals are to provide support for cancer research projects and to work with the community to raise awareness about cancer screening and prevention.

“The Community Outreach Core has been able to contribute to more awareness about cancer burden,” Somera said.

COC has taken part in a series of health fairs. This included a symposium in June 2019 that addressed the need to raise awareness about colorectal cancer.

Regarding colorectal cancer, COC makes efforts to connect with the youth in order to implement cancer activism early on. Throughout various points in the year, the members of COC organize an interactive booth that is usually set up at the UOG English and communication building.

According to health educator, Angelina Mummert, along with Somera, the booth is a large, inflatable colon named Kulu. Students and faculty can walk through this inflatable colon where it showcases various stages of colorectal cancer. This offers insight into this specific type of cancer and highlights the importance of getting an early screening.

Somera said that COC is currently working with four clinics to raise awareness about cancer on the island. They have provided tool kits for them and they are preparing to send COC a six-month survey to see if there have been any changes in the rates of colorectal cancer screening among islanders.

Somera also said that it is vital that individuals 50 years and older take part in screening for any type of cancer. The program makes it a goal to encourage at least 80 percent of people to get screened for cancer. However, only 64 percent of the community has done so. Early detection is very important especially since there has been an influx of Guam cancer cases where doctors diagnose patients during the very late stages of the disease.

“Cancer prevention saves lives,” Somera said.

The Guam Community Outreach Core is found at the Guam Cancer Research Center in House 7 at the University of Guam Dean’s Circle.

For more information, visit the Guam Cancer Research Center’s website at http://www.guamcrc.org.

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“We just try to be positive and happy and make sure our customers are happy,” Tyquiencgo said.

Tyquiengco has a variety of customers ranging from students to faculty. She said that she set up a special menu for people with specific tastes in coffee. Those with a taste for strong coffee can order an iced Americano and those who like sweet coffee can order a Moco Coco.

Tyquiengco currently owns the business with her boyfriend, Marcus Lopez. The coffee trailer gets its name from its two owners.

“My boyfriend’s name is Marcus and my name is Carmela,” Tyquiengco said. “When we first started dating, that’s what my family used to call us. Marmela.”

Tyquiengco was born in Hawaii and moved to Guam as a child. She is half CHamoru and half Italian.

Tyquiengco said her business began as a vendor that sold shaved ice at events such as the Festival of Pacific Arts, soccer matches and football games. The business later transitioned into Marmela’s Coffee in 2017.

Tyquiengco hopes to be able to open up Marmela’s Coffee branches around Guam and expand the bussiness’ presence on the island.

Although Tyquiengco is not a student, she feels that pursuing higher education with a positive mindset is important. The goals of the coffee trailer reflect this belief.

As a co-owner of an establishment promoting positivity, Tyquiengco displays this goal through her relationships.

Tyquiencgo said that the coffee trailer’s 23-year-old general manager, Tanisha Elgarico, is currently pursuing a higher education at the Guam Community College. Tyquiengco wants to be able to support her co-worker and friend through encouragement.

“Any way that we can help out, we’ll be here,” Tyquiengco said.

Tyquiencgo said that she hopes to convey the importance of positivity, hard work and taking the opportunity in any aspect of life through her establishment.

The coffee stand is located in front of the UOG Robert F. Kennedy Library on Monday to Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

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The Life Teen Expo will be held Oct. 19, 2019, at the Agaña Shopping Center from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Teens who attend the expo can participate in activities, such as financial literacy trainings and college enrollment workshops.

They can also experience motivational speeches, interactive games, entertainment and the LIFE Bazaar. As a result, they can create meaningful connections with their peers.

In addition, students who attend the expo have the opportunity to gain service-learning hours to fulfill high school graduation requirements. Students who are part of high school clubs and organizations can win cash prizes for their school. These cash prizes can be used for prom and graduation.

Furthermore, Those interested can get more information on the Life Teen Expo on its website at www.lifeteenexpoguam.com. You can also email the organizers at lifeteenexpoguam@gmail.com.

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