Maria Pangelinan is grateful for all the support and prayers she receives

Continuing our Think Pink series, where we profile some of the island's toughest and bravest breast cancer warriors and survivors.

Tonight, we share the cancer journey of Maria Pangelinan.

“I’m going to be doing radiation for five weeks, Monday through Friday at 8:15 a.m. and then I can go to work at 8:30 a.m.,” said Pangelinan. “To be able to handle the ballots to take it down to the westin for early vote center.”

Maria Pangelinan, dedicated to her breast cancer fight just as much as she is dedicated to her job  as Executive Director of the Guam Election Commission

So much so, she had to confess something.

“Because I work at the Election Commission, I cannot lie to you. So in 2022, my husband and I noticed a lump. I did not go to the doctor, you notice, 2022? It was an election year. I did not go to the doctor until 2023,” said Pangelinan. 

Pangelinan was going to be teaching at the University of Guam, so she needed to get a physical. It was then where she told her doctor about the lump.

“He immediately set me up to go get a biopsy and to get the test. I met Dr. Peachy and she was so good,” she said. “Then we started to see Dr. Michael Cruz.”

She had surgery in February of this year.

“I dont think it's my ability to take the pain but because my caregivers were there to make sure I followed doctor's orders the pain was minuscule,” she said. 

She admits prior to her diagnosis,  she had prepared herself.

“I'm a devout Catholic,” she said. “I’m working to get to heaven.maybe well not maybe, heaven is a better place than earth. It was okay for me.”

Pangelinan's main concern? Her children and her GEC staff, which has become family. 

In fact, they “love her susu much,” on her way to the GEC office, staff lined up the sidewalk with banners and posters expressing their support for their beloved leader.

Pangelinan's determination and fight is fueled by her older sister, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2022. A school sister of Notre Dame, she went to Wisconsin for treatment. 

Pangelinan calls her sister her champion.

“I'm very proud of her. It's because of her that I went through chemo, that I’m going through radiation, because imagine Joan, if i quit? I was ready to quit after the first session, because the side effects were really hard on me,” she said.

What gave her strength?

“Girl, the prayers came from all over the world. The caregivers came from America and the Philippines. I mean caregivers, girl,” she added. 

The island support has been overwhelming and she is grateful.

“The Guam Cancer Care, Edward M. Calvo Foundation, American Cancer Society.  Breast friends forever and circle of care,” she added. 

And who does Pangelinan think pink for? Well for each and every one she knows who's been afflicted with breast cancer.

“We've all handled it very differently. But I'm proud to say that all of us share what we've gone through so other people can go through their journey of susu cancer and any kind of cancer,” she said. 

Which is why Pangelinan has been documenting her cancer journey on updates that she sends to family and friends.

“Letting them know what's going on because the story needs to be told,” she said.

And if there was anything she could say to those watching who may have been putting off their mammogram or screening?

“Go and get checked. And my father always told us, we know are bodies more than anybody else. But until you are in tune with your body, do what the doctors order. Are doctors are fantastic here,” said Pangelinan. 

And to those who are on their cancer journey.

“Make sure God is in your life first. Make sure you are part of God's community in a parish. Just go to mass. And then, make sure you vote,” she said. 

Dedicated to her fight, faith, and her job.