ABMDR New England Walkathon
Raises Support for Life-Saving Mission
Watertown, Massachusetts, October 4, 2018 – On September 22, the Armenian community of New England joined forces in support of Walk of Life, the seventh annual walkathon of the Armenian Bone Marrow Donor Registry (ABMDR). The beloved pan-Armenian event, which took place in Watertown, drew avid youth participation, with large numbers of students from area schools and colleges, as well as the support of numerous community organizations.
Once again, Walk of Life received major corporate sponsorship from the Dana Farber Cancer Institute. Other sponsors and supporters included the Armenian-American Pharmacists’ Association, PROMETRIKA LLC of Cambridge, Watertown Savings Bank, several other local businesses, the Armenian Tree Project, and the Armenian Cultural and Educational Center (ACEC).
At the walkathon’s opening ceremony, which was held on the grounds of ACEC, opening remarks were delivered by Jack Antounian, lead marshal of the walk and President of the Armenian Business Network (ABN). “On behalf of Team ABN, I am honored to be part of the seventh annual Walk of Life for such a worthy cause,” Antounian said. On his part, Michael Demirchian of the ABMDR New England Support Group warmly welcomed the walkers and said, “How wonderful it is to see the Armenian community of New England join forces with such exemplary conviction, in solidarity with a cause that touches the lives of so many across the world!”
Next, Demirchian introduced the day’s guest speaker, ABMDR President Dr. Frieda Jordan. “In the fight to restore one’s health and vitality, nothing is more important than hope — and the confidence that there are people who genuinely care for us,” Dr. Jordan said. “Let us walk today in powerful solidarity with our patients, as we want them to know that they’re not alone in their struggle… that we, all of us, will literally go that extra mile for them.”
Subsequently the throngs of supporters began the 2.2-mile walk, led by the ABN marshals. Walk of Life concluded at Watertown Square, where participants enjoyed great music, dancing, and food, along with thousands of people attending the annual Faire on the Square festival.
In his remarks during the closing ceremony, Shant Der Torossian of the New England Walk of Life Committee said, “We’re touched to see so many community organizations and individuals come together today to participate and collaborate for this walkathon. A big Thank-you to all those who assisted in promoting this event among their co-workers, friends, and family. We couldn’t do this without you!” Der Torossian went on to convey the New England Walk of Life Committee’s deep gratitude to the event’s main supporters: he thanked ACEC for generously functioning as the home base of the walkathon; and the walkathon marshals from the Armenian Business Network, led by President Jack Antounian.
Following Der Torossian’s remarks, Walk of Life Committee member Tamar Melkonian announced the winners of the walk. The YerazArt Foundation team was recognized for having raised the most funds; Knar Krafian and Alex Sirakian tied as the individuals who had raised the most funds; and the Armenian-American Pharmacists’ Association (AAPA) team was recognized for having the highest number of participants. Team AAPA was also the recipient of the Volunteers of the Year Award at the ABMDR Gala in Los Angeles in September 2018, for their sponsorships and continued support of the walkathon and AMBDR as a whole.
For the sixth consecutive year, the Armenian Tree Project will plant commemorative trees in Armenia in honor of the walkathon winners, as part of the #LivingCentury Initiative. The winning teams also received Pizza Party Gift Certificates from Domino’s of Watertown.
About the Armenian Bone Marrow Donor Registry: 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 29,000 donors in 29 countries across four continents, identified 4,482 patients, and facilitated 31 bone marrow transplants. For more information, call (323) 663-3609 or visit abmdr.am.
For more information, call (323) 663-3609 or visit abmdr.am.
