UFC’s Frank Camacho to do 24-hour jaunt across Guam to raise money for the homeless
UFC lightweight Frank Camacho wishes he had $1 billion dollars to solve the world’s problems. But he doesn’t.
What he does have, however, is two feet, and with them, he plans on making a difference.
At 8 a.m. local time Friday, Camacho (22-9 MMA, 2-5 UFC) will embark on a 24-hour journey across his native island of Guam – from its southern tip to its northern tip. He won’t be able to sleep indoors or use a car. He can’t drink or eat unless refreshments are given to him for free. It all may sound crazy, but it’s for a good cause: to raise money for the homeless.
A fan of both David Goggins and Forrest Gump, Camacho has always had the idea of a 24-hour run/walk, but he didn’t have a reason. That’s when an Internet video gave him one.
“It was a homeless veteran and he was answering a lot of misconceptions I had,” Camacho recently told MMA Junkie. “There were the basic misconceptions of, ‘Oh, homeless people are lazy,’ or ‘Oh, homeless people just need a job.’ Really, it’s that, especially during COVID, people are just one paycheck, hospital bill or injury away from being homeless. That’s the truth of it. It’s wild.
“You probably know someone or someone’s family member that’s homeless. There are a lot of factors. There’s addiction. There are mental health issues and traumatic events, like houses burning or deaths in families. It’s such a complex situation. Diving into it after actually trying to do this walk, it’s mind-blowing.”
Camacho, 31, expects the journey to be challenging, both mentally and physically – and he’s looking forward to those aspects. However, he’s not putting himself through a grueling trek for nothing. In return for his effort walking across his homeland, Camacho hopes the general public will donate whatever they can through a page set up on Guamtime.net; 100 percent of the proceeds will go to the Guam Homeless Coalition.
“We’re just doing that for the 24 hours where people can donate,” Camacho said. “I’ll be updating my social media every hour. You can donate a dollar, two bucks, $100 bucks, whatever it is. It’ll all go to the Guam Homeless Coalition for their efforts.”
The run/walk isn’t Camacho’s first charitable venture in recent months. He’s also helped out with Make-A-Wish Guam and CNMI. While he isn’t raking in million-dollar purses each fight or headlining pay-per-views, Camacho knows the platform he has in his native country. He wants to give back to the place that shaped him for success.
“I have a 4-year-old and a 2-year-old,” Camacho said. “I’m starting to realize, like, ‘Man, these guys learn a whole lot by example.’ That’s definitely one drive. But I wouldn’t be where I’m at in the UFC or where I’m at in life if it wasn’t for the community and the island that’s made me who I am. I guess I’m so thankful and so grateful for being able to reach my goals with the people I surround myself with – with my family and my wife. What a (better) way to pay it forward using the vehicle of mixed martial arts with the UFC and then give what I have for a greater good? I’m a big believer in karma. Freaking why not pay it forward while I can?
“Man, I just wish I had $30 billion to help the world of all the problems, but I don’t. But I do have two working feet and a decent enough platform for the island to somehow make a difference and spread awareness on issues.”
