ABMDR Annual Gala Celebrates Internship Program, Adoption of Advanced Genetic Technology

After Jordan’s remarks, ABMDR Executive Director Dr. Sevak Avagyan addressed the audience. “The ABMDR Lab, in Yerevan, has continued to make significant strides during the past year,” he said. “Our team has organized several donor recruitments in the homeland, while our doctors and experts have represented ABMDR at prestigious conferences across the globe. In addition, our Lab supervisor, Armine Hyusyan, as an official EFI inspector, helped conduct an inspection of a top immunological facility in Istanbul. In tandem with these activities, we have continued to conduct HLA-typing, and to play an increasingly greater role in the work of kidney and liver transplant centers in Armenia.”

Dr. Avagyan continued, “I think one of our most important achievements this past year was adopting the Oxford Nanopore Technology. When a transplant patient needs a donor, identifying a potential match is only the first step. More detailed testing is then required to determine the best possible match. The new technology that we adopted makes that process much faster and more precise, allowing transplant centers to receive vital information more efficiently — and, ultimately, giving patients a better chance of finding the donor they need.”

Certificates of Completion were presented to the participants of this year’s ABMDR Summer Internship Program, including siblings Natalia and Darren Avanesian, from Providence High School, Burbank; Emma Kardzair, from Holy Martyrs Ferrahian High School, Los Angeles; Jacqueline Khatchadourian, from Immaculate Heart High School, Los Angeles; and Alexia Minassian, from Chaminade College Preparatory High School, West Hills, California. A sixth intern to receive a certificate is Iren Babajanyan, from Lucille-Teasdale International School, Brossard, Quebec, Canada, who could not attend the Gala.

Following this segment, Sepilian announced the bestowal of the ABMDR Inspiration Award on John Thorrington, President of Soccer Operations for the Los Angeles Football Club (LAFC). Sepilian said, “As a proud Armenian, John has embraced opportunities to celebrate and uplift the Armenian community throughout Los Angeles, from championing LAFC’s annual Armenian Heritage Night to welcoming ABMDR at the stadium during soccer matches. He has used the platform of sports to bring communities together and amplify ABMDR’s life-saving mission.” Thorrington, who could not attend the Gala, delivered his acceptance speech via a video recording.

The presentation of the video was followed by remarks from ABMDR Board members Taleen Khachadourian and Paulette Malekian, who shared their experiences as volunteers with the organization. As a bone marrow donor, Malekian also spoke of the profoundly-rewarding experience of having helped save someone’s life.

Next came the “Be an Angel, Save a Life” fundraising portion of the evening, featuring the young ABMDR Angels. As this segment was underway, Allen G and his orchestra delighted the guests with performances of Armenian and world pop classics.

The evening’s main awards ceremony followed the musical interlude.

The ABMDR Lifetime Achievement Award was conferred on Karine Khudikian. The Business of the Year Award was presented to Porto’s Bakery which for the past several years, has donated pastries to ABMDR’s annual walkathons in Los Angeles.

The ABMDR Volunteer of the Year Awards were presented to Lori Mehdikhani, Emineh Hacopian and Metaksya Diremsizian.

The Woman of the Year Award was bestowed on Dr. Evelyn Baghdasarian, and the Man of the Year Award was conferred on filmmaker Ara Soudjian.

Soudjian was introduced by Glendale Mayor Ardy Kassakhian. “Ara Soudjian has spent his life telling stories through film,” Kassakhian said and continued, “His own story is one of art, compassion, and service. He is an activist and a fierce patriot. For him, helping his people is not just about words, but selfless action.”

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