Archbishops Derderian and Mardirossian reaffirm their strong support of the registry; outreach and recruitment efforts planned
Los Angeles, February 24, 2011 – On February 8 and 9, respectively, His Eminence Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian and His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian hosted traditional yearly visits by a delegation of the Armenian Bone Marrow Donor Registry (ABMDR). The visits took place at the Western Prelacy in La Crescenta and the Western Diocese in Burbank.
Led by Dr. Frieda Jordan, president of the registry’s Board of Directors, the delegation thanked both archbishops for their past support. It also requested the continued assistance of the Prelacy and the Diocese in educating the Armenian community about the critical need — and extreme ease — of registering as a bone marrow donor.
Expressing their abiding belief in the life-saving mission of the ABMDR, Archbishops Derderian and Mardirossian renewed their commitment to the registry, promising to continue to raise public awareness of its work and encourage bone marrow donor registration among their congregations. Toward these goals, both archbishops informed the delegation of a number of upcoming outreach events, which will be held under the auspices of the Prelacy and the Diocese.
“It’s so gratifying to know that our spiritual leaders care deeply about health issues affecting the Armenian community, and that they’re always willing to do their utmost to support our mission,” Dr. Jordan said.
During his meeting with the delegation, Archbishop Derderian proclaimed April 10 a Day of Prayer for the ABMDR at Dioceses churches in Southern California. On his part, Archbishop Mardirossian proclaimed May 1 a Day of Prayer for the registry at Prelacy churches in the region. On these Sundays, as well as several Sundays in March, April, and May, the ABMDR will set up booths outside Armenian churches throughout California — including those affiliated with the Armenian Catholic and Evangelical communities — to recruit donors and answer questions regarding bone marrow stem cell transplantation.
In light of the fact that 2011 has been declared the Year of the Armenian Child, Archbishop Mardirossian told the ABMDR delegation that it would be all the more fitting to launch outreach efforts on May 1. It is the first Sunday following Easter, he said, New Sunday, which symbolizes the start of a new life and would reflect the ABMDR’s mission of helping give new life to children and adults alike.
The registry’s upcoming public-awareness events will also include two important lectures. On April 1 and 2 Dr. Karole Rostamian and Dr. Vergine Madelian of the ABMDR will address the Leadership Conference of the Armenian Church Youth Organization, to be held at St. Paul’s Church in Fresno; and on April 27 Dr. Jordan will address a meeting of the Diocesan Council, in Burbank.
The following is a list of bone marrow donor recruitments planned for the coming months:
March 31
Patient-specific recruitment for Steve Bodozian
Glendale Memorial Hospital and Health Center
5 – 8 pm
April 1 and 2
Recruitment-presentation during the Leadership Conference of the Armenian Church Youth Organization
St. Paul’s Church, Fresno
April 3
Presentation-recruitment
St. Levon Cathedral, Burbank
April 10
Prayer Day for ABMDR throughout Diocese churches in Southern California, presentation-recruitment
St. Gregory, Pasadena
St. James, Los Angeles
St. Peter, Glendale
St. Peter, Van Nuys
April 24
Genocide commemoration, presentation-recruitment
Armenian Martyrs’ Monument, Montebello
May 1
Prayer Day for ABMDR throughout Prelacy churches in Southern California, presentation-recruitment
St. Mary’s, Glendale
St. Garabed, Hollywood
Holy Martyrs, Van Nuys
Forty Martyrs, Orange County
About the Armenian Bone Marrow Donor Registry: Established in 1999, the 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 20,000 donors in 13 countries across three continents, identified 1,696 patients, found 1,419 potential matches, and facilitated 12 bone marrow transplants.
