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PRESS RELEASE
Armenian Bone Marrow Donor Registry
3111 Los Feliz Avenue, #206,
Los Angeles, CA 90039
Contact person: Dr. Frieda Jordan
Tel: 323-663-3609
Email: [email protected]
ABMDR president Dr. Frieda Jordan honored with St. Nerses the Graceful Medal
Award is followed by certificates of recognition from
US Congress, California Assembly, and City of Glendale
Los Angeles, July 17, 2012 - Dr. Frieda Jordan, president of the
Armenian Bone Marrow Donor Registry (ABMDR), received the St. Nerses
the Graceful (St. Nerses Shnorhali) Medal for her years of charitable
service to the Armenian people.
The medal, as well as a Pontifical Encyclical, were conferred on Dr.
Jordan by His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos
of All Armenians, and presented to her on July 8 by Archbishop Hovnan
Derderian, Primate of the Western Diocese, following the Divine
Liturgy at St. Leon Armenian Cathedral, in Burbank, California. The
award presentation was complemented by a celebratory luncheon which
took place later at the Western Diocese.
At the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, Father Khajag Shahbazyan,
pastor of St. Leon Cathedral, read the Pontifical Encyclical, in
which the Catholicos had praised Dr. Jordan for her selfless
dedication to the mission of ABMDR, and stated his joy in accepting
Archbishop Derderian's recommendation of bestowing on her the St.
Nerses the Graceful Medal.
After presenting Dr. Jordan with the medal, Archbishop Derderian
spoke of the spirit of service which he said Dr. Jordan has
personified since co-founding ABMDR with Dr. Sevak Avagyan in 1999.
Subsequently the Primate addressed Dr. Jordan directly and said, `For
over a decade, we've seen how, as a volunteer physician, you launched
the Armenian Bone Marrow Donor Registry, and consistently expanded it
to reach out to communities throughout the diaspora and the homeland.
You have also been an inspiration to all of your colleagues and
supporters.'
`There are two kinds of life,' the Archbishop continued. `The kind
that's lived in a pedestrian, inconsequential manner, and one that's
lived in the service of humanity. To be envied are those who bring
hope and strength into the lives of others, and I salute you for
doing that. I believe that the mission of ABMDR should be embraced by
all our parishes, our entire church. If our church is to fulfill its
purpose, it is precisely this type of altruistic work that it should
engage in.'
`I have no doubt that this medal will function as one more impetus
for the fulfillment of your cause, not only in the service of
Armenians, but all those who need the registry,' Archbishop Derderian
went on. `I congratulate you, knowing that your work will make an
invaluable difference in the lives of generations to come.'
As he concluded his remarks, the Primate invited the congregation to
join him in acknowledging the honoree with a standing ovation.
Afterwards Archbishop Derderian delivered his Sunday sermon, in which
he spoke of the altruistic nature of medicine as exemplified by the
many volunteers of ABMDR. `These volunteers go from city to city,
raise public awareness of health issues, and recruit donors, just so
that one more life can be saved,' he said. `They have been working
diligently, relentlessly, to advance a mission for the benefit of the
whole of humanity.'
The Archbishop also acknowledged the presence in the church of ABMDR
Executive Director Dr. Sevak Avagyan, and praised him for playing a
key role in the many landmark achievements of the organization.
Luncheon at Zorayan Museum
Dr. Jordan's award was also celebrated at a luncheon which took place
at the Zorayan Museum, located at the St. Leon Cathedral complex. The
event was attended by volunteers and staff of ABMDR; Archbishop
Derderian; Armenian Consul General Grigor Hovhannisyan; and
representatives of various US and California elected officials.
Following the welcome remarks of ABMDR outreach officer Dr. Vergine
Madelian, Archbishop Derderian stated, `We have always admired and
continue to be inspired by Dr. Jordan's service, which has been
rendered meekly, compassionately, and without any expectation except
that of helping save lives. As a people, we are nothing if we don't
serve meekly. We must not become the slaves of titles.'
Next to address the guests was Dr. Sevak Avagyan. `It's a great honor
for me to be among you today at the Western Diocese,' he said. `When
Dr. Jordan and I founded ABMDR, we had no idea that someday it would
become what it is today. I am so very proud of the registry's
achievements, and congratulate Dr. Jordan for her unflinching
dedication.'
Dr. Avagyan went on to cast a glance at the history of ABMDR and
added, `Armenians might be spread all across the world, but our genes
bind us together. This is why the work of the registry is so
critically important, given the unique genetic makeup of ethnic
Armenians.'
Dr. Avagyan concluded his remarks by expressing hope that ABMDR's
long-held dream of establishing a transplantation center in Yerevan
might become reality in the near future.
Dr. Avagyan's address was followed by the remarks of the honoree. `I
wish to share this medal with all of you: my family, colleagues, and,
specially, our more than 22,000 donors,' Dr. Jordan said. `We could
not possibly have done it without you.'
`I would like to convey my profound gratitude to Archbishop
Derderian, who has been instrumental in helping advance our cause,'
Dr. Jordan continued. `The Primate was the first spiritual leader to
appeal to Armenian congregations during Sunday Mass to support the
work of the registry. I stand here today in awe of Archbishop
Derderian's proactive stance, and the grassroots support which has
resulted from his efforts as well as those of other community leaders.'
As she concluded her remarks, Dr. Jordan presented Dr. Avagyan with a
medal of achievement which was conferred by Archbishop Derderian.
On the occasion of the bestowment of the St. Nerses the Graceful
Medal on Dr. Jordan, several US government bodies had issued
certificates of recognition, all of which were presented to her
during the luncheon. They included a Certificate of Special
Congressional Recognition on behalf of US Congressman and longtime
ABMDR supporter Adam Schiff; a Certificate of Recognition from the
California Assembly on behalf of Assemblyman Mike Gatto; and a
Certificate of Recognition from the City of Glendale, California, on
behalf of Mayor Frank Quintero. Additionally, Dr. Jordan received a
congratulatory letter from Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate
of the Western Prelacy and a devoted supporter of ABMDR.
Also delivering remarks during the luncheon were Consul General
Grigor Hovhannisyan, a staunch supporter of the registry; as well as
longtime volunteer, ABMDR Advisory Board member, and cancer survivor
Teresa Hacopian, who personally thanked Dr. Jordan for inspiring
thousands across the globe to volunteer in the life-saving mission of
the registry.
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 16 countries across
four continents, identified 2,135 patients, and facilitated 13 bone
marrow transplants.
Armenian Bone Marrow Donor Registry
3111 Los Feliz Avenue, #206,
Los Angeles, CA 90039
Contact person: Dr. Frieda Jordan
Tel: 323-663-3609
Email: [email protected]
ABMDR president Dr. Frieda Jordan honored with St. Nerses the Graceful Medal
Award is followed by certificates of recognition from
US Congress, California Assembly, and City of Glendale
Los Angeles, July 17, 2012 - Dr. Frieda Jordan, president of the
Armenian Bone Marrow Donor Registry (ABMDR), received the St. Nerses
the Graceful (St. Nerses Shnorhali) Medal for her years of charitable
service to the Armenian people.
The medal, as well as a Pontifical Encyclical, were conferred on Dr.
Jordan by His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos
of All Armenians, and presented to her on July 8 by Archbishop Hovnan
Derderian, Primate of the Western Diocese, following the Divine
Liturgy at St. Leon Armenian Cathedral, in Burbank, California. The
award presentation was complemented by a celebratory luncheon which
took place later at the Western Diocese.
At the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, Father Khajag Shahbazyan,
pastor of St. Leon Cathedral, read the Pontifical Encyclical, in
which the Catholicos had praised Dr. Jordan for her selfless
dedication to the mission of ABMDR, and stated his joy in accepting
Archbishop Derderian's recommendation of bestowing on her the St.
Nerses the Graceful Medal.
After presenting Dr. Jordan with the medal, Archbishop Derderian
spoke of the spirit of service which he said Dr. Jordan has
personified since co-founding ABMDR with Dr. Sevak Avagyan in 1999.
Subsequently the Primate addressed Dr. Jordan directly and said, `For
over a decade, we've seen how, as a volunteer physician, you launched
the Armenian Bone Marrow Donor Registry, and consistently expanded it
to reach out to communities throughout the diaspora and the homeland.
You have also been an inspiration to all of your colleagues and
supporters.'
`There are two kinds of life,' the Archbishop continued. `The kind
that's lived in a pedestrian, inconsequential manner, and one that's
lived in the service of humanity. To be envied are those who bring
hope and strength into the lives of others, and I salute you for
doing that. I believe that the mission of ABMDR should be embraced by
all our parishes, our entire church. If our church is to fulfill its
purpose, it is precisely this type of altruistic work that it should
engage in.'
`I have no doubt that this medal will function as one more impetus
for the fulfillment of your cause, not only in the service of
Armenians, but all those who need the registry,' Archbishop Derderian
went on. `I congratulate you, knowing that your work will make an
invaluable difference in the lives of generations to come.'
As he concluded his remarks, the Primate invited the congregation to
join him in acknowledging the honoree with a standing ovation.
Afterwards Archbishop Derderian delivered his Sunday sermon, in which
he spoke of the altruistic nature of medicine as exemplified by the
many volunteers of ABMDR. `These volunteers go from city to city,
raise public awareness of health issues, and recruit donors, just so
that one more life can be saved,' he said. `They have been working
diligently, relentlessly, to advance a mission for the benefit of the
whole of humanity.'
The Archbishop also acknowledged the presence in the church of ABMDR
Executive Director Dr. Sevak Avagyan, and praised him for playing a
key role in the many landmark achievements of the organization.
Luncheon at Zorayan Museum
Dr. Jordan's award was also celebrated at a luncheon which took place
at the Zorayan Museum, located at the St. Leon Cathedral complex. The
event was attended by volunteers and staff of ABMDR; Archbishop
Derderian; Armenian Consul General Grigor Hovhannisyan; and
representatives of various US and California elected officials.
Following the welcome remarks of ABMDR outreach officer Dr. Vergine
Madelian, Archbishop Derderian stated, `We have always admired and
continue to be inspired by Dr. Jordan's service, which has been
rendered meekly, compassionately, and without any expectation except
that of helping save lives. As a people, we are nothing if we don't
serve meekly. We must not become the slaves of titles.'
Next to address the guests was Dr. Sevak Avagyan. `It's a great honor
for me to be among you today at the Western Diocese,' he said. `When
Dr. Jordan and I founded ABMDR, we had no idea that someday it would
become what it is today. I am so very proud of the registry's
achievements, and congratulate Dr. Jordan for her unflinching
dedication.'
Dr. Avagyan went on to cast a glance at the history of ABMDR and
added, `Armenians might be spread all across the world, but our genes
bind us together. This is why the work of the registry is so
critically important, given the unique genetic makeup of ethnic
Armenians.'
Dr. Avagyan concluded his remarks by expressing hope that ABMDR's
long-held dream of establishing a transplantation center in Yerevan
might become reality in the near future.
Dr. Avagyan's address was followed by the remarks of the honoree. `I
wish to share this medal with all of you: my family, colleagues, and,
specially, our more than 22,000 donors,' Dr. Jordan said. `We could
not possibly have done it without you.'
`I would like to convey my profound gratitude to Archbishop
Derderian, who has been instrumental in helping advance our cause,'
Dr. Jordan continued. `The Primate was the first spiritual leader to
appeal to Armenian congregations during Sunday Mass to support the
work of the registry. I stand here today in awe of Archbishop
Derderian's proactive stance, and the grassroots support which has
resulted from his efforts as well as those of other community leaders.'
As she concluded her remarks, Dr. Jordan presented Dr. Avagyan with a
medal of achievement which was conferred by Archbishop Derderian.
On the occasion of the bestowment of the St. Nerses the Graceful
Medal on Dr. Jordan, several US government bodies had issued
certificates of recognition, all of which were presented to her
during the luncheon. They included a Certificate of Special
Congressional Recognition on behalf of US Congressman and longtime
ABMDR supporter Adam Schiff; a Certificate of Recognition from the
California Assembly on behalf of Assemblyman Mike Gatto; and a
Certificate of Recognition from the City of Glendale, California, on
behalf of Mayor Frank Quintero. Additionally, Dr. Jordan received a
congratulatory letter from Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate
of the Western Prelacy and a devoted supporter of ABMDR.
Also delivering remarks during the luncheon were Consul General
Grigor Hovhannisyan, a staunch supporter of the registry; as well as
longtime volunteer, ABMDR Advisory Board member, and cancer survivor
Teresa Hacopian, who personally thanked Dr. Jordan for inspiring
thousands across the globe to volunteer in the life-saving mission of
the registry.
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 16 countries across
four continents, identified 2,135 patients, and facilitated 13 bone
marrow transplants.