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 this disease was about. We’d never heard of it.  Honestly, it didn’t sound so bad, except for that “severe” part.  How awful could anemia be, we wondered?  We found out quickly enough. Mia would need a bone marrow transplant.  In the meanwhile, we watched helplessly at first, when weekly blood transfusions kept her alive. 

Since then, our family has watched AAMDS help hundreds of patients and their families as they struggle to make sense of this strange disease, medically, financially, emotionally.  The Foundation’s resources were a lifeline of hope and information in a time of uncertainty and fear, its work so valuable, not only for our family, but for countless others.

Helping to increase awareness and raise funds by participating in the now annual Hope, Steps, and A Cure Walk for our area is my way of honoring my beautiful niece, who has shown a strong and brave heart, in the face of an uncertain future, as well as every person before who has fought the same fight, but succumbed.  I am honored to work with others, each whom have their own story of loss and sorrow, but continue to demonstrate a great spirit of love, and hope for the future.