Armenian Bone Marrow Donor Registry
3111 Los Feliz Ave. #206
Los Angeles, CA 90039
Tel: (323) 663 – 3609
Fax: (323) 662 – 3648
Armenian Bone Marrow Donor Registry Raises $300,000
Funding for Stem Cell Harvesting Center in Armenia Exceeds Halfway Mark
(BURBANK, CA). While many Southern Californians were relaxing at home
Sunday evening, a group of dedicated volunteers was busy answering
phone calls from across the globe. During the Armenian Bone Marrow
Registry’s first telethon, thousands of people from USA, Canada and
Middle East pledged more than $300,000 toward a campaign to establish
a Stem Cell Harvesting Center in Yerevan, Republic of Armenia.
"This outpouring of support is phenomenal," exclaimed Registry
President Dr. Frieda Jordan. "Not only has it exceeded our
expectations as far as monetary goals, it has set a precedent in
rallying the entire community – regardless of race, region, or
political affiliation – behind a cause that will save lives throughout
the world for many years to come." The telethon is part of the
Registry’s "Be An Angel, Save A Life" Campaign to raise a total of
$850,000 to fully fund the Center which, when established, will bring
the life-saving procedure of stem cell transplantation within the
reach of many more patients with leukemia and other life-threatening
blood diseases, and will play a vital role in the treatment of other
diseases such as cancers, diabetes, and heart ailments. The Center
will be the only one of its kind in the Caucasian region.
The telethon, which was broadcasted on Horizon, High Vision, ATV, ISN
and LA View television channels and webcasted on the Registry’s
website, was directed by Emmy Award-winning Director Mark Mardoyan and
hosted by Dr. Evelyn Baghdasarian, Paul Chaderjian, Arayik Ghazarian,
and Manoug Seyradariyan. Notable among the "Angels" who responded to
the appeal were the Kazarians Family, who made a donation in memory of
Mariana Kazarians, a founding board member of the Registry; the Owens
and Devorris Families; the Titizian Family, in memory of Arlene
Titizian; the Atikian Family; and Mr. and Mrs. Stepan and Linda
Vartanian. Several businesses and organizations made significant
contributions, including the American Development and Investment,
Inc.; the Armenian Relief Society’s Family of 12 chapters; St Mary’s
Armenian Apostolic Church of Glendale; Holy Martyr’s ARS Ashkhen
Pilavjian Pre-school; Lakeside Medical Group, through former
Assemblymember Keith Richman; Executive Council of the Prelacy of the
Armenian Church of Northern Iran; and Glendale Memorial Hospital, a
long-time supporter of the Registry.
Many of these major contributors to the project will be recognized by
having a room at the Center named after them. Additionally, 400
donors who pledged $250 each will be honored on the "Wall of Angels."
The overall success of the telethon would not have been possible
without the thousands of donors from around the world who pledged
donations below $500. Registry Executive Director Dr. Sevak Avagyan,
who made a special visit from Yerevan for the event, emphasized this
stating, "Every dollar contributed is a step closer to saving a life
in the future; we are grateful to each and every Angel tonight."
The success of the telethon moves the organization within $350,000 of
reaching its goal to establish the Center. Initial funds for the
project totaling just over $200,000 were donated by the Lincy
Foundation, private individuals, and Registry Board member Carolann
Najarian. The Registry hopes to raise the remaining funds in the next
five months. A key part of completing the campaign is the Third
Annual Walk-A-Thon on Saturday, June 21 at Griffith Park in Los
Angeles.
"We are extremely grateful to all who have pledged their support; days
after the telethon we continue to receive donations through phone
calls to our offices, on our website, and even personal visits," Dr.
Jordan noted. "But we still have a big challenge ahead of us. We are
hopeful that there are many more Angels out there who will see the
opportunity to make a significant difference – to help save lives."
Those who wish to "Be an Angel, Save a Life" by supporting the Stem
Cell Harvesting Center may contact President Dr. Frieda Jordan at 3111
Los Feliz Blvd., Suite 206, Los Angeles, CA; by calling (323)
663-3609; or going on the Registry website, .
Be An Angel, Save a Life