GLENDALE—On June 28, the Armenian Cycling Association (ACA) once again partnered with the Armenian Bone Marrow Donor Registry (ABMDR) to turn its popular 145-mile bicycle ride from Glendale to San Diego into a fundraising ride. The goal was to raise funds to help ABMDR in their fight against life-threatening blood disorders and to ensure that every ethnic Armenian who is struck with a life threatening blood-related illness is able to find hope for treatment and long-term survival. To that end, this year’s San Diego ride was dedicated to the remarkably courageous Grace Kesablak, an 11-year old student at the Vahan and Anoush Chamlian Armenian School who is fighting cancer. Every dollar raised by the ACA was donated directly to ABMDR in honor of Grace.
Seventeen cyclists participated in the ride this year and raised over $9000, with Andrew Nazarian spearheading the fundraising efforts. The 145-mile ride was led by ACA founders Jacques Merdkhanian, Armen Hagobian and Artin Shaverdian, and with the support of Missak Terzian who was the en-route van pilot and the person in charge of the meals and first-aid support for the riders. The ACA was proud to have former Glendale City Councilman and Mayor Rafi Manoukian join them in the ride this year.
If interested in cycling with ACA , visit the Facebook page Armenian Cycling Association or email aca@armeniancycling.org.
