Los Angeles Hope, Steps & A Cure Walk Committee

The Los Angeles Hope, Steps & A Cure Walk is an extremely fun and successful event – and is organized by AA&MDSIF volunteers, patients and families like yourself! A wonderful group of southern California volunteers works together throughout the year to plan this annual event. What inspires them to volunteer? Why do they generously give up their free time to work on the walk? They all wanted to get involved and give back because they feel it’s important to do this work. Learn more about the walk committee members and about their loved ones who inspire them to help raise awareness for bone marrow failure disease and funds for the AA&MDSIF programs and services that support patients and families.

Published on 01/05/2012 - 12:28pm.
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Sheila Wilkerson, Los Angeles Walk Committee
I was diagnosed with aplastic anemia in 2007. It was a very scary time for me and my family. The first thing that was really noticeable to me was how little was known about my disease. And, finding out about the Aplastic Anemia & MDS International Foundation was a Godsend...
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Gus Quinonez, Los Angeles Walk Committee
My 9 year old son, Kai, from Seal Beach, was enjoying life to the fullest until he was diagnosed in November, 2010 with idiopathic aplastic anemia. I volunteer for the Aplastic Anemia & MDS International Foundation for the Los Angeles Hope, Steps & A Cure 5K Run/...
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Mary Elaine Valenzuela, Los Angeles Walk Committee
This is my third year of involvement with the LA Hope, Steps & A Cure Walk. My commitment to Aplastic Anemia & MDS International Foundation (AA&MDSIF) started when my Mom, Mary Lou Palacio, was first diagnosed with MDS in 1999 and grew after my Dad, Manual Palacio,...
Read the full story about Mary Lou and Manual Palacio »
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Candida Stoutenborough, Los Angeles Walk Committee
My Participation in the Los Angeles Hope, Steps & A Cure Walk My journey and commitment with the Aplastic Anemia & MDS International Foundation took off immediately the day I discovered them.  My daughter Mia was diagnosed with Severe Aplastic Anemia in 2009, at...
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Susan Kass, Los Angeles Walk Committee
On my daughter Emily Matilda's 9th birthday, June 12, 2004, we attended her gymnastics team award gala where the approximately 300 people attending all sang happy birthday to her. Two days later my smart,funny, beautiful, kind and very athletic daughter had a routine physical (...
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Nina Van Nostrand, Los Angeles Walk Committee
Why I Participate in the Hope, Steps, and A Cure Walks for AAMDSIF When my beautiful and talented 15 year-old niece was diagnosed with Severe Aplastic Anemia in 2009, the entire family was bewildered, and although we stayed positive, we were frightened.  No one knew what...
Read the full story about Mia Stoutenborough »
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Stephanie Hamm, San Antonio and Los Angeles Walk Committees
I am involved in Hope, Steps & A Cure Walk San Antonio because our oldest son, Garrett John Hamm, was diagnosed with aplastic anemia at the age of 16 in August 1985.  We were stationed at Sheppard AFB in Wichita Falls, Texas at the time, and doctors there thought that...
Read the full story about Garrett Hamm »