Join Walk of Life Walkathon in Watertown, Support ABMDR

There is a great deal of excitement abuzz in Watertown. People are talking about the Armenian Bone Marrow Donor Registry’s Walk of Life Walkathon, which takes place on Sept. 27, the very same day as the town’s annual festival. The walk follows a 2.2-mile route starting at ACEC (located at 47 Nichols Avenue) and ending at the “Faire on the Square” on Main Street, where participants can enjoy great music, dancing, food, and company, all while supporting this important cause.

Five-year-old Gabriel Aljalian is planning on joining us for this year’s walk. Gabriel, the son of Fr. Arakel and Yeretsgin Natasha, has been battling leukemia since 2012. ABMDR is dedicating this year’s walk to Gabriel and his brave fight against cancer. Please join us in supporting Gabriel and all those inflicted with blood-related illnesses by registering for the walk and raising awareness and funds for ABMDR.

ABMDR has successfully mobilized the local Armenian community to join the walk. Several prominent organizations have already formed walking teams, and new organizations are joining every day. The participating organizations include AGBU-YP-Boston, Amaras Art Alliance, Armenian American Pharmacists’ Association, Armenian Assembly of America, Armenian Business Network, Armenian Youth Federation (AYF), Belmont High School Armenian Club, Boston College Armenian Club, Cambridge Yerevan Sister City Association, Daughters of Vartan, Erebuni Armenian School, Erebouni Dance School and Ensemble, Friends of Armenian Cultural Society, Hamazkayin-Boston, Lexington High School Armenian Club, MIT Armenian Society, St. James Armenian Church, St. Stephen’s Armenian Elementary School, Sayat Nova Dance Company of Boston, and YerazArt Foundation. Prospective participants are encouraged to join an existing team, start their own team, or walk individually.

“As an educator, I believe that teaching students about active community involvement is essential to their development into better community citizens. By participating in the ABMDR Walkathon, students develop an appreciation for each other, learn to lend a helping hand, and engage in active cooperation. Students also create bonds with each other and with other members of the community, hence enhancing their interpersonal skills,” said Armine Manukyan, Principal of Erebuni Armenian School.

To register for the walkathon, sponsor a walker, or for more information, interested individuals are encouraged to visit www.abmdr.am/ne-walk/

About the Armenian Bone Marrow Donor Registry: Established in 1999, 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 22,000 donors in 17 countries across four continents, identified 2,135 patients, and facilitated 16 bone marrow transplants. For more information about the organization, visit http://www.abmdr.am