SECOND ANNUAL "WALK OF LIFE" A GREAT SUCCESS
AZG Armenian Daily
14/06/2007
Eight Hundred People Walk, Over One Hundred Sign-up With The Armenian
Bone Marrow Donor Registry
More than 800 people rallied together on Saturday, June 9 for the
Second Annual "Walk of Life" 5k/10k Walkathon at the Glendale High
School Moyse Stadium to support the Armenian Bone Marrow Donor Registry
(ABMDR) in its critical life-saving mission. In addition, more than 100
registered to join as donors of bone marrow stem cells. The walkathon
was organized to raise public awareness of the role played by the
ABMDR, to expand the existing database of volunteer bone marrow stem
cell donors, and raise funds to cover tissue-typing expenses.
The event began with a prayer led by His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan
Derderian of the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North
America, and Father Vasken Atmajian, representing Archbishop Moushegh
Mardirossian, Prelate of the Western Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic
Church of America. Dr. Frieda Jordan, president of the ABMDR welcomed
the crowd with a brief message: "We are delighted with the overwhelming
participation of the community in this, our second annual ‘Walk of
Life’ walkathon", she said.
"Each one of you carries a torch; you’re all beacons of hope, hope
to all those waiting for a match, waiting for their chance to live,
and waiting for their chance to walk. Thanks for coming. Let’s get
going. We have miles to walk. We have work to do. We have lives
to save."
Participants walked or ran their 5 or 10 K in the stadium, while
many crowded the recruitment booth to register as bone marrow stem
cell donors. Many of the participants walked in support of cancer
survivors or of cancer patients, and in memory of cancer victims.
They walked for Arlene and Natalie, they walked for Lar and Patrick,
and they walked for Biurad. They walked to celebrate the survivors,
to support the patients, to remember and honor the victims.
At the conclusion of the walk, Taleen Khatchadourian, Chairperson
of the walkathon committee, thanked the participants, and stressed
the crucial role of the sponsors and organizations "whose backing
and support made this a resounding success, and greatly enhanced our
ability to continue our life-saving mission." She recognized the major
sponsorship of Glendale Memorial Hospital and Health Center, as well
as the corporate sponsorships of Cal National Bank, City of Glendale
Water and Power, Closet World, Design By Naz Exclusive Jewelry, Eric
Garcetti, President LA City Council (District 13), Glendale Adventist
Medical Center, Horizon 24 Hour Armenian TV, Next Day Color Printing,
Print On All Promotional Products, St Joseph Hospital.
She also recognized the endorsement of Glendale Unified School
District, and the participation of the Armenian Relief Society,
Homenetmen, Artists for Kids, Armenian American Nurses Association,
and CSUN ASA.
VIPs present who took to the stage were Congressman Adam Schiff
who remarked on "AMBDR’s exemplary work in raising awareness in the
Armenian community about joining bone marrow registries" and State
Assemblyman Paul Krekorian, who congratulated the ABMDR for its
"critical work that has a direct impact on the lives of so many
individuals". Also present were Glendale City Council Member Frank
Quintero and Glendale City Clerk Ardashes Kassakhian. Artists for
Kids and Elon presented Dr. Jordan with a check of $5,0000, proceeds
from the May 29 concert by Elon given to benefit the ABMDR.
The event ended with a live and lively performance by the very popular
Nersig Ispiryan, whose upbeat songs captured and reflected the energy
of the day, and instantly transformed those present from tired walkers
into fervent dancers.
The Armenian Bone Marrow Donor Registry thanks all participants
and encourages all Armenians to call and join the registry with the
hope of saving another life. The registration process is very simple
and non-intrusive and only takes a few minutes. ABMDR is a 501(c)3
non-profit organization and welcomes donations of any size which are
tax-deductible. For further information please visit