ABMDR Walk of Life to take place on May 3
Armenian community, elected officials rally in support of life-saving cause
Los Angeles, April 25, 2014 – Walk of Life, the ninth annual walkathon of the Armenian Bone Marrow Donor Registry (ABMDR), will take place on May 3 in Glendale, California.
The highly anticipated event continues to draw strong grassroots support, particularly from the youth. A cross section of the Armenian community will participate in this year’s walk, with representatives and teams from churches, community organizations, patient-support groups, as well as high-school and university student associations. Also attending will be several dignitaries, including elected officials and community leaders.
Walk of Life has three major sponsors: Glendale Memorial Hospital and Health Center, the Foundation Laboratory, and an anonymous sponsor who has made a donation in honor of Cynthia Bussey.
“This walkathon is of particular significance to us, as this year marks the Crystal (15th) anniversary of ABMDR,” said Dr. Frieda Jordan, president of the organization, which now works in 20 countries across four continents. “On May 3, we’d like to see the ranks of ABMDR expand like never before, specially through the participation of young people, in support of a great cause that helps save lives across the world,” Dr. Jordan added.
The event will start at the plaza of Glendale Memorial Hospital and Health Center, with event registration beginning at 9 o’clock. Following a brief opening ceremony, the 5-K walk-run will take the hundreds of participants on a loop through Glendale. In keeping with what has become a beloved tradition, walkers will pass in front of the Armenian Consulate on Central Avenue, where the consul general will greet and cheer them on.
The walkathon will conclude back at the plaza of Glendale Memorial, where participants will go on to enjoy a community celebration featuring music, dance, and food. Throughout the festivities, ABMDR volunteers will be on hand to provide information and recruit potential bone marrow donors.
Supporters can participate in Walk of Life as either individuals or teams, by signing up online (at abmdr.am) or in person at the Glendale Memorial plaza on the morning of the walkathon. In addition, supporters can sponsor the participation of family members or friends. ABMDR is also encouraging virtual walkers: supporters who sign up online even if they’re unable to participate in the event.
In the run-up to Walk of Life, ABMDR has held several outreach and public-awareness events in Southern California, including participation in an Armenian-Genocide commemoration at Glendale High School, where ABMDR volunteers familiarized attendees regarding the registry’s mission.
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 26,000 donors in 20 countries across four continents, identified 2,481 patients, and facilitated 20 bone marrow transplants.
ABMDR volunteers during the Genocide commemoration at Glendale High School.