WALK OF LIFE RALLIES BROAD COMMUNITY SUPPORT IN FRESNO, LA
asbarez
Tuesday, November 1st, 2011
The ribbon cutting in LA featured Congressman Schiff and Glendale
Mayor Friedman
LOS ANGELES-For the first time in its history, the Armenian Bone
Marrow Donor Registry held a Walk of Life event in Fresno, California,
in addition to its annual walkathon in Los Angeles.
Walk of Life 2011, which took place on October 15 and 22 in Fresno and
Glendale, California, respectively, was attended by large numbers of
supporters from throughout the Armenian community as well as several
elected officials. Both events received extensive media coverage.
In an interview with We Are Fresno co-host Stephanie Booroojian (seen
on NBC Fresno affiliate KSEE 24), ABMDR president Dr. Frieda Jordan
commented on the significance of the registry’s first-ever Fresno
walkathon. “I think it’s extremely important for Fresno’s community
at large to be aware of the registry’s work,” she said.
“Fresno is among areas in California which may face higher-than-normal
health risks due to industrial pollution, particularly in terms of
the use of pesticides,” Dr. Jordan continued. “These risk factors can
be responsible for a prevalence of life-threatening diseases such as
leukemia, which has already claimed the lives of many Armenians in
Fresno. By registering as potential bone marrow stem cell donors,
our supporters can actually save the life of a fellow Armenian who
might need a bone marrow transplant.”
A first for Fresno Walk of Life 2011 kicked off on the morning
of October 15 at Fresno’s Eaton Plaza Amphitheater, as teams of
supporters from various local organizations gathered to take part
in the event. The teams represented the AGBU Fresno Chapter (led
by chairperson Zaroohi Der Mugrdechian), the ANC of Fresno (led by
chairperson Hygo Ohanessian), the ARS Fresno Mayr Chapter (led by
chairperson Angele Ohanessian), the AYF Fresno Kevork Chavoush Chapter
(led by chairperson Rita Costanian), and the Fresno State Armenian
Students Association (led by Vartush Mesropyan).
Following Dr. Jordan’s welcome remarks and the invocation by Fr. Vahan
Gosdanian of the Western Prelacy, the participants walked to the
historic Statue of David of Sassoon at the Courthouse Park and on
to the landmark Saroyan Theater. Subsequently they returned to the
Eaton Plaza Amphitheater to enjoy a day-long celebration featuring
music and food. Participants also had the opportunity to join the
ranks of ABMDR by inquiring at information and recruitment booths
set up throughout the venue.
“What a profoundly rewarding experience this has been!” said Dr.
Karoline Rostamiani of the ABMDR Board of Advisors, who co-chaired
the Fresno and Los Angeles Walk of Life 2011 events with fellow
Board member Dr. Stella Baghdasarian. “We applaud the Fresno Armenian
community, and especially the wonderful young generation, for taking
part in the maiden ABMDR walkathon of their city, for organizing
at the grass roots and spreading the word, and for making generous
donations,” Dr. Rostamiani stated. “Our heartfelt thanks go to everyone
who got involved.”
On her part, Dr. Stella Baghdasarian, who had an instrumental role
in organizing volunteers and overseeing the logistics of Walk of Life
2011, expressed her “profound admiration for all those who participated
in the walkathon, particularly youth groups.”
In Los Angeles: a powerful expression of solidarity A week later,
on the morning of October 22, the Armenian community of Los Angeles
in turn rallied in support of Walk of Life 2011. Hundreds gathered
outside Glendale Memorial Hospital and Health Center, where the
event’s opening ceremony was held.
In her remarks, Dr. Jordan said, “Our sixth annual walkathon is
dedicated especially to our patients. This is a walk of solidarity
with them, and an ongoing, impassioned effort to help give them the
gift of life.”
Dignitaries whose presence Dr. Jordan acknowledged included US
congressman and longtime ABMDR supporter Adam Schiff, California
State senator Carol Liu, Glendale mayor Laura Friedman, Burbank mayor
Jess Talamantes, Glendale Unified School District Board of Education
president Greg Krikorian, and Glendale Community Development Department
director Hassan Haghani.
After she thanked the walkathon’s two main corporate sponsors,
Glendale Memorial Hospital and Health Center (an ABMDR Partner for
Life) and Karoun Dairies, Inc., Dr. Jordan also acknowledged the many
teams participating in the event, particularly youth teams from area
universities, Armenian schools, Glendale Unified District schools,
and various community organizations.
Next to take the podium was Congressman Adam Schiff, who stated,
“You can imagine the trauma of a family whose child’s life depends
on a bone marrow transplant. The Armenian Bone Marrow Donor Registry
brings hope to such families, by matching potential stem cell donors
to patients suffering from life-threatening diseases.”
On her part, Mayor Laura Friedman, a cancer survivor, praised the work
of the registry and thanked all participants for their unflinching
support of its mission.
The walk started following the invocation, which was delivered jointly
by Fr. Vazken Atmajian of the Western Prelacy, Archpriest Fr.
Hovhannes Maroukian of the Western Diocese, and Rev. Joseph Matossian
of the Armenian Evangelical Union of North America.
Passing through central Glendale, the almost four-mile walkathon
concluded in Verdugo Park, where the success of the event was
celebrated well into the afternoon, in a festive community atmosphere
featuring food, live music as well as several donor-recruitment and
health-information booths.
Following congratulatory remarks delivered by Senator Carol Liu,
who is a longtime advocate of breast-cancer awareness, Dr. Karoline
Rostamiani thanked all participating schools and Armenian Student
Associations for their enthusiastic involvement. She also conveyed
special gratitude to the US Army Armenian Veterans for taking part
in the walkathon.
In addition to Senator Liu, dignitaries attending the festivities
included Grigor Hovhannisyan, consul general of Armenia in Los Angeles.
With each passing year, the number of elected officials who recognize
ABMDR and lend it their moral support continues to grow. As it was
announced during the festivities at Verdugo Park, the registry received
a Certificate of Achievement from the office of Mike Gatto, a member
of the California State Assembly who represents the 43rd District.
Commenting on the growing Armenian-youth presence within the ranks of
ABMDR, Dr. Vergine Madelian, the registry’s outreach officer, stated,
“Over two-thirds of our donors are below 35 years old and 27 percent
are under 25. The younger the donors, the longer they stay active
in the registry, and the higher their chances of matching a patient
somewhere down the line. This is youth power in the best possible
sense.”
The festivities at Verdugo Park were made all the more thrilling thanks
to musical performances by a number of volunteer artists. They included
Nersig Ispiryan, Joseph Krikorian, Karen Boksian, Hratch Bogharian,
Ara Shahbazian, and Vatche Demirjian.
Toward the end of the celebration, raffle drawings were held and
trophies were bestowed on the most active walkathon teams and
individual volunteers. The Boston Team, headed by ABMDR Board of
Directors members Dr. Evelyn Baghdasraian and Alvart Badalian, was
awarded for having raised the most funds; the Chamlian School Team
was awarded for having the highest number of participants; and Amy
Boyadjian received a trophy for having raised the most funds as an
individual volunteer.
About the Armenian Bone Marrow Donor Registry: Established in 1999,
ABMDR, a nonprofit organization, helps 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 21,554 donors in 13 countries across
three continents, identified 2,135 patients, found 1,753 potential
matches, and facilitated 13 bone marrow transplants.