–Women–Men–and Kids urged to Register for May 7 Event in Los Angeles
LOS ANGELES–Alice Chakrian is walking in memory of her mother-in-law–who died last year of breast cancer. Lucy Gulvartian for her aunt–another breast cancer casualty. Tamar Mahshigian for her close friend–Elaine–a breast cancer survivor.
Armenian women are being called on to register in large numbers for this year’s Revlon Run/Walk for Women–on Saturday–May 7–just before Mother’s Day–at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Participation cost is a $25 donation. Individuals can register online at www.revlonrunwalk.com/la/secure/TeamWebPage.cfm?pID=16879&eid=293631
"We all have our community work–helping our school–church–organizations. But this walk to raise money for cancer research is such an important cause–one that touches every woman–regardless of ethnicity or religious affiliation. So we thought that it would be a fantastic idea to join our strength as Armenian women and walk together for this very emotional cause," says Eileen Keusseyan–
co-captain of Team 813–Armenian Moms & Daughters. "Ultimately–we would like to see this become an annual event for Armenian women–growing larger and stronger."
This year alone–more than 211,000 women in the US will be diagnosed with breast cancer–more than 22,200 will be diagnosed with ovarian cancer and more than 57,200 will be diagnosed with other women’s cancers. More than 69,300 will lose their lives to these deadly diseases.
The Revlon Run/Walk for Women was launched by the Entertainment Industry Foundation in 1993 and since then has raised an impressive $32 million to help fund innovative cancer research–counseling–and outreach programs.
Last year–more than 50,000 women–men and children participated in the 3.1-mile run/walk. "The first time I joined I felt the power of unity among people with the same inner pain that I felt when my mother-in-law–Arshalouse Chakrian–was diagnosed with breast cancer," says co-captain Alice Chakrian–who has registered to walk with her 10-year-old daughter–Rita. "The Revlon Walk became the beginning of the healing of my pain because I felt I was making a difference by contributing to help find a cure."
"Each year I participate in the Revlon Run/Walk for Cancer research–I am filled with greater hope and faith that we can make a difference for future generations," says Lucy Gulvartian–who will walk with her 10-year-old daughter–Lar.
One person who lives with hope and faith is Lucy Hagopian. "Congratulations dear Eileen and Alice. You have created a venue for the Armenian woman and our community to merge forces in a vision for a cancer free society. As a woman who has survived a first encounter with breast cancer almost 20 years ago–and a second threat in 1999–I want to speak about hope," says Hagopian.
"When I was given the statistics–I did not know where I would end up. I felt that it was no use thinking about all that so I focused on health and thoughts of well being. I found comfort–a source of strength and hope in The Scriptures–especially in the healings of Christ and in the Psalms. I asked the Lord for healing. Medicine and doctors would do their part–I had to do mine–and Nature–which is sacred–would take its course. And here I am today."
Hagopian provides a few tips on staying healthy:
1. Start your mammograms early; don’t wait until you’re 35. "I was only 31 when I was first diagnosed," says Hagopian. "I have a mammogram once a year."
2. Make sure to include an array of naturally colorful foods in your diet: greens–reds–orange–purple–yellow–and everything in between. Remember to have your greens and grains regularly.
3. Find a form of exercise that you can live with–even if it’s walking around your neighborhood three times a week and going somewhere in nature on weekends.
4. Find a source of spiritual strength. "Reading inspirational material has been a great help to me," Hagopian recommen’s.
For those who would like to join the Armenian Moms & Daughters team–registration can be done online at www.revlonrunwalk.com/la/secure/TeamWebPage.cfm?pID=16879&eid=293631 (click on the blue box in the upper right corner that says "Register Now!). Donations can be made by clicking on a registrant’s name. For registration forms that can be printed and mailed in–go to www.revlonrunwalk.com/la/images/pdfforms/Register.pdf.
For further information about Team 813 Armenian Moms & Daughters–please contact Eileen Keusseyan at 818-404-5686 and Alice Chakrian at 818-388-6734.