Photos courtesy of the Armenian Bone Marrow Donor Registry

WATERTOWN – Supporters from throughout New England gathered in Watertown on September 19 to participate in the Armenian Bone Marrow Donor Registry’s 15th Annual Walk of Life. The beloved pan-Armenian event drew numerous students from area schools and colleges, and received strong support from local organizations, businesses, and community leaders.

Since its inception 15 years ago, the New England Walk of Life has received support and sponsorship from numerous businesses and organizations, including PROMETRIKA, LLC, of Cambridge; the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute; Armenian Women’s Welfare Association; Watertown Savings Bank; Armenian American Pharmacists’ Association; ThermOil, Inc.; Suphi Furs; Anoush’ella; and the Varjabedian, Yeramian, and Bedrosian families. The walkathon has also received support from the St. James Armenian Apostolic Church’s Charles Mosesian Cultural and Youth Center, Armenia Tree Project, Amaras Art Alliance, Boston Red Sox, Northeastern University Athletics, Waverly Oaks Athletic Club, and Armenian Museum of America.

During the walkathon’s opening ceremony, at the Charles Mosesian Center, Ojeni Kavlakian of the Walkathon Organizing Committee welcomed the participants.

“Today, we are gathered as one big team,” Kavlakian said. “Some of us walk, some cheer, some organize, and some quietly register as potential stem-cell donors. Different roles, one goal. Many of you have supported us since the very beginning, and we are deeply grateful. Thank you to everyone who helped spread the word among friends, families, and colleagues. Your support makes this event possible.”

Kavlakian also expressed the Organizing Committee’s gratitude to St. James Armenian Apostolic Church, Pastor Arakel Aljalian, and Yn. Natasha for generously hosting the commencement of this year’s walkathon.

Kavlakian then invited guest speaker Aram Havan, a teacher and community organizer, to share a few words with the walkers. Havan, who has been hard at work organizing a Boston athletics team to take part, for the first time, in the 2027 Pan-Armenian Games in Yerevan, spoke of the excitement around forming the team.  

The walk concluded at Saltonstall Park, where participants celebrated the day’s accomplishments and 15 years of the Walk of Life. They enjoyed music, dancing, and food alongside visitors attending the annual Watertown Faire on the Square. Dana-Farber Cancer Institute representative Kidest Mequanen joined ABMDR volunteers at the Faire to answer questions and educate attendees about the shared goals and missions of the two organizations.

During the closing ceremony, Manneh Ghazarians and Narini Badalian of the Walkathon Organizing Committee expressed their appreciation to the event’s sponsors for their continued support throughout the years. They also highlighted the many sponsor logos and names featured on participants’ T-shirts before presenting awards to the top fundraisers.

Telo Ghazarians, Alec Der Sirakian, and the Armenian-American Pharmacists’ Association team, the latter led by Sossy Yogurtian, received the gold, silver, and bronze top-fundraiser awards, respectively. For the 14th consecutive year, the Armenia Tree Project will plant commemorative trees in Armenia in honor of the walkathon’s top fundraisers, as part of its #LivingCentury Initiative.

Aec Der Sirakian received the Silver Award The Armenian-American Pharmacists’ Association team, led by Sossy Yogurtian (center), received the Bronze Award

The event concluded with a raffle drawing, led by ABMDR volunteer Anelga Hajjar, and with the help of several young participants. Among the many prizes were ticket packages for Northeastern University basketball games, and a special VIP package of five tickets to 2027 Boston Red Sox games.

In an interview with Watertown Local Access TV covering the Faire, Shant Der Torossian and Narini Badalian of the Walkathon Organizing Committee spoke about the vital importance of Walk of Life in raising public awareness of ABMDR’s life-saving mission.

Established in 1999, ABMDR, a nonprofit organization, helps Armenians and non-Armenians worldwide survive life-threatening blood-related illnesses by recruiting and matching donors to those requiring bone marrow stem cell transplants. To date, the registry has recruited over 33,500 donors in 32 countries across four continents, identified over 9,000 patients, and facilitated 45 bone marrow transplants. For more information, call (323) 663-3609 or visit online.