Alique Topalian: I received the Inspirational Award from the Armenian Bone Marrow Donor Registry

Alique Topalian shared on LinkedIn:

“This weekend I received one of the greatest honors of my life- the Inspirational Award from the ABMDR-Armenian Bone Marrow Donor Registry.

This organization was founded 25 years ago during my first battle with acute myeloid leukemia at age 4. Since I am 100% Armenian we were told that my best chance of finding a bone marrow match was within the Armenian community.

We worked to hold drives across the USA and Internationally. While we were unable to find a match for me so many people registered that this incredible organization was founded, and I was lucky to go into remission with experimental chemotherapy. 22 years later when I relapsed with AML we were still unable to find me a close enough bone marrow donor match.

Because of this I have had to do 3 years of chemotherapy to make sure I stay in remission. If I relapse again- I don’t have a choice I have to transplant even if I don’t have the best match and it will cause many lifelong complications.

This organization has brought life-saving resources and cutting-edge innovation to Armenia- changing the face of bone marrow, chord blood, and so much more in the Caucus region. Involved with all of the major national and international registries- we have performed 44 life-saving transplants and have over 30,000 individuals registered.

While lately I have been more focused on hitting 3 years in remission, I also am a 25 year survivor and I am so blessed. My relapse changed my life, it gave me a new purpose and passion. I am so happy to now be able to support this organization in new ways with this skill set.

Working in oncology I have been AMAZED by how many of the best minds in the field are Armenian. It makes me so proud. As a people we have been through so much.

They tried to bury us, but did not realize we were seeds. Even if you are not Armenian- I ask you all to get swabbed. See if you could be a match and save a life. ”

Source: Alique Topalian/LinkedIn

Alique Topalian is a research scientist specializing in Survivorship and Supportive Services at the University of Cincinnati Cancer Center. She has served as a Patient Experience Council Consultant at Servier and as a Research Consultant at 1N5. Her research primarily focuses on psychosocial programming and community engagement within the fields of oncology and mental health.