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CANCER WARRIORS win outpouring of support in Cabanatuan, Nueva Viscaya and Tuguegarao

In the first leg of the Bike for Life 2: Northern Luzon Journey, James Auste and his Cancer Warriors team of bikers gained numerous supporters, as they biked their way to the hearts and minds of fellow bikers and the community at large.

Early Sunday morning, September 1, Cancer Warriors connected with the 150 strong Cabanatuan Bikers Association in celebrating the Unang Sigaw of Nueva Ecija.  Addressing the bikers during the Unang Karera sa Bisikleta kick-off ceremonies, James asked them to join Cancer Warriors in fighting for the recognition of childhood cancers.  He reminded them that cancer does not only strike adults.  Cancer also hurts and kills our most precious treasures - our children.  Everyday, at least 8 Filipino kids, some as young as a few months old, die of cancer.  Many deaths are due to delayed detection, inadequate treatment and/or unaffordable costs of medication and treatment.  He asked them to give:  ISANG SIGAW --- ISANG PADYAK PARA SA MGA BATANG MAY KANSER so that childhood cancer is given emphasis in government programs and so that poor children with cancer can get appropriate and affordable treatment.

By noon, in the arch of the historic Dalton Pass, the Cancer Warriors team was joined by 40 bikers from various cycling associations in Nueva Viscaya (Aritao, Bambang, Solano, Bagabag), an ambulance crew from the Philippine National Red Cross, local PNP escorts and the local coordinator and host, Sang at Salug Outdoor Club.  Through the support of Governor Rodolfo Agbayani, a local radio station and Sang at Salug Outdoor Club, an afternoon forum attended by 100 local residents was held in the BAEX Multi-purpose Auditorium.  Among the speakers was Dr. Melchor de la Cruz, a young US trained cancer specialist and two mothers who shared the pain and challenges of having a child stricken with cancer.  James inspired everyone with his personal testimony of how "God Will Make A Way" so that the BIG C can be conquered by the BIGGER C - Christ.

On September 2, Tuguegarao gave Bike for Life an unprecedented welcome.  A team from the local PLDT exchange escorted James and his warriors to St. Paul University (SPU) where a Cancer Awareness Forum attended by at least 2,000 students, faculty and alumni was held.  The SPU organizing team was headed by no less than the President of the University, along with coordinator Dr. Editha Aquino, SPU Physician, Dr. Josephine Campanano, VP-External Affairs, Sr. Mary James Taguinod and Mr. Oscar Turingan of the School of Health Sciences and the Alumni Association President, Ms. Bel Barias Lim.  Three local cancer survivors:  two adults (Dr. Eduardo Badua and Ms. Samia Abraham-Henrage) and an elementary student of SPU (Precious Vicenta Gem Valera) shared their moving and victorious battle with cancer.  James encouraged the academic community to build a strong network of love and support for cancer patients and families of children battling cancer.  Through his personal testimony, he emphasized that while cancer is the Big C - it cannot break the human spirit and can be conquered by a positive conviction, the courage to Let Go and Let God and the convergence of love and efforts of everyone.  He invited the academic community to continue its information campaign on childhood cancers so as to ensure vigilance which will contribute to early detection.

In the evening, James addressed around 90 agrarian reform officers and development facilitators of the Department of Agrarian Reform.  He challenged them to make childhood cancers part of their health related information and advocacy campaigns.  He invited them to join the voices in the FIGHT against childhood cancers.