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Over 500 supporters participated in "Walk of Life 2013" life-saving walkathon
15:36, 11 May, 2013
YEREVAN, MAY 11, ARMENPRESS: Over 500 supporters participated in Walk
of Life 2013, the eighth annual walkathon of the Armenian Bone Marrow
Donor Registry (ABMDR), reports Armenpress.
The jubilant community event took place on the morning of Saturday,
May 4, in Glendale, California. The 5-K walk-run started at the plaza
of Glendale Memorial Hospital and Health Center, looped through
central Glendale, and concluded at the starting point, where
festivities continued into the day. Walk of Life 2013 promoted public
awareness of life-threatening blood-related illnesses and raised funds
for the life-saving mission of ABMDR, which now operates in 17
countries in four continents.
The event was attended by large numbers of young supporters, among
them teams representing several area Armenian schools, organizations,
student associations, and youth clubs. Strong youth participation was
complemented by the attendance of several guests of honor, including
elected officials and community leaders.
The program began with an opening ceremony, as welcome remarks were
delivered by Walk of Life 2013 co-chairs Salpy Aprahamian and
Christina Ashjian. Following a moment of silence in remembrance of the
victims of the Boston Marathon bombings, Salpy Aprahamian announced
that the day's gathering comprised not only walkers from throughout
Southern California, but a team from Wisconsin. Aprahamian went on to
thank the event's sponsors, including Glendale Memorial Hospital and
the Foundation Laboratory, both ABMDR Lifetime Supporters; as well as
Kardashian Khaos, C&S Sales, the Tweten Foundation, Closet World, and
Rima Mardirosian of Glendale Memorial. On her part, Christina Ashjian
acknowledged the support of the event's Honorary Chairs, including
Archbishop Hovnan Derderian of the Western Diocese, Archbishop
Moushegh Mardirossian of the Western Prelacy (represented at the walk
by Father Vazken Atmajian), Reverend Joseph D. Matossian of the
Armenian Evangelical Union of North America, Glendale Memorial
Hospital president Jack Ivie, Consul General of Armenia Grigor
Hovhannisyan, US Congressman Adam Schiff, State Senator Carol Liu,
State Assemblyman Mike Gatto, Burbank mayor Emily Gabel-Luddy,
Glendale City Council members Ara Najarian, Zareh Sinanyan, and Laura
Friedman, and Glendale Unified School District Board of Education
president Greg Krikorian.
Next to address the attendees was State Senator Carol Liu, who stated:
`It's very important that we do our very best, through wonderful
events such as this, so that people who need help can get it.'
The event's invocation was performed by Archbishop Hovnan Derderian,
who also delivered remarks. `The engagement of our community in the
God-pleasing mission of ABMDR is commendable,' he said. `All of us
have the noble duty of making sure that we take life as a mission, in
order to fulfill the dream of bringing hope and joy to the life of our
fellow human beings.'
The walkathon took participants on a five-mile loop, with a half-way
stop at the Armenian Consulate, where walkers were greeted and cheered
on by Consul General Grigor Hovhannisyan, a longtime supporter of
ABMDR.
Following the conclusion of the walk, at the plaza of Glendale
Memorial Hospital, participants continued to enjoy festivities - which
featured food, music, and dance. The celebration also gave attendees
the opportunity to join the ranks of ABMDR as potential bone marrow
donors, with volunteers on hand to answer questions and welcome new
recruits.
Another highlight of the program was the awards ceremony, during which
outstanding walk teams and supporters were recognized. The Lil
Monsters team received a trophy for collecting the most donations, and
the Providence High School team was awarded for having the highest
number of participants.
15:36, 11 May, 2013
YEREVAN, MAY 11, ARMENPRESS: Over 500 supporters participated in Walk
of Life 2013, the eighth annual walkathon of the Armenian Bone Marrow
Donor Registry (ABMDR), reports Armenpress.
The jubilant community event took place on the morning of Saturday,
May 4, in Glendale, California. The 5-K walk-run started at the plaza
of Glendale Memorial Hospital and Health Center, looped through
central Glendale, and concluded at the starting point, where
festivities continued into the day. Walk of Life 2013 promoted public
awareness of life-threatening blood-related illnesses and raised funds
for the life-saving mission of ABMDR, which now operates in 17
countries in four continents.
The event was attended by large numbers of young supporters, among
them teams representing several area Armenian schools, organizations,
student associations, and youth clubs. Strong youth participation was
complemented by the attendance of several guests of honor, including
elected officials and community leaders.
The program began with an opening ceremony, as welcome remarks were
delivered by Walk of Life 2013 co-chairs Salpy Aprahamian and
Christina Ashjian. Following a moment of silence in remembrance of the
victims of the Boston Marathon bombings, Salpy Aprahamian announced
that the day's gathering comprised not only walkers from throughout
Southern California, but a team from Wisconsin. Aprahamian went on to
thank the event's sponsors, including Glendale Memorial Hospital and
the Foundation Laboratory, both ABMDR Lifetime Supporters; as well as
Kardashian Khaos, C&S Sales, the Tweten Foundation, Closet World, and
Rima Mardirosian of Glendale Memorial. On her part, Christina Ashjian
acknowledged the support of the event's Honorary Chairs, including
Archbishop Hovnan Derderian of the Western Diocese, Archbishop
Moushegh Mardirossian of the Western Prelacy (represented at the walk
by Father Vazken Atmajian), Reverend Joseph D. Matossian of the
Armenian Evangelical Union of North America, Glendale Memorial
Hospital president Jack Ivie, Consul General of Armenia Grigor
Hovhannisyan, US Congressman Adam Schiff, State Senator Carol Liu,
State Assemblyman Mike Gatto, Burbank mayor Emily Gabel-Luddy,
Glendale City Council members Ara Najarian, Zareh Sinanyan, and Laura
Friedman, and Glendale Unified School District Board of Education
president Greg Krikorian.
Next to address the attendees was State Senator Carol Liu, who stated:
`It's very important that we do our very best, through wonderful
events such as this, so that people who need help can get it.'
The event's invocation was performed by Archbishop Hovnan Derderian,
who also delivered remarks. `The engagement of our community in the
God-pleasing mission of ABMDR is commendable,' he said. `All of us
have the noble duty of making sure that we take life as a mission, in
order to fulfill the dream of bringing hope and joy to the life of our
fellow human beings.'
The walkathon took participants on a five-mile loop, with a half-way
stop at the Armenian Consulate, where walkers were greeted and cheered
on by Consul General Grigor Hovhannisyan, a longtime supporter of
ABMDR.
Following the conclusion of the walk, at the plaza of Glendale
Memorial Hospital, participants continued to enjoy festivities - which
featured food, music, and dance. The celebration also gave attendees
the opportunity to join the ranks of ABMDR as potential bone marrow
donors, with volunteers on hand to answer questions and welcome new
recruits.
Another highlight of the program was the awards ceremony, during which
outstanding walk teams and supporters were recognized. The Lil
Monsters team received a trophy for collecting the most donations, and
the Providence High School team was awarded for having the highest
number of participants.