Abmdr’s 11Th Annual Walk Of Life

Walk of Life, the 11^th annual walkathon of the Armenian Bone Marrow Donor Registry (ABMDR), took place on Saturday, October 1, in Glendale.

The Very Rev. Fr. Pakrad Dz. V. Berjekian, Diocesan Vicar General, delivered a prayer at the event’s opening ceremony. This year’s walk was a loop, which started at Glendale City Hall, headed South on Brand toward St. Mary Armenian Church, proceeded North on Central Ave. to the Consulate General of Armenia, then headed South on Brand back to Glendale City Hall. The 5K walk/run concluded with a celebration featuring food and music.

Several elected officials and community leaders participated in the walkathon, which sought to raise support for the life-saving mission of ABMDR. Among the participants in the event were “Good Day L.A.” (KTTV) anchorwoman Araksya Karapetyan; the “Walk Angels,” a team of patients who have survived cancer; various teams that will walk in honor or in memory of loved ones; and teams from area schools, universities, youth associations, and organizations.

The Armenian Bone Marrow Donor Registry is an independent, non-governmental, not-for-profit organization, whose mission is to ensure that every ethnic Armenian and non-Armenian struck with a life-threatening blood-related illness is able to find hope for long-term survival through the identification of a genetically suitable bone marrow match. The “Walk of Life” aims to raise funds and public awareness of ABMDR’s mission, and mobilize the Armenian community of Greater Los Angeles to support the registry by signing up as donors, making contributions or volunteering.