DETAILS

When
Saturday, April 29, 2023
7:00 am (5K Registration) to 11:30 am (Farewell)

Who
Patients, family members, friends, and advocates, sign up, tell your story, create a team, and set a goal to support AAMDSIF! Any and all Californians are welcome to join us for the day as well!
Doctors, Nurses, Research Fellows – make this a fun, competitive run or walk with your colleagues. Most spirited or largest team gets a prize!!! Running time is optional.

Where
Together! At Shoreline Village, 429 Shoreline Village Drive, Long Beach CA 90802. Or run or walk through your neighborhood wherever you live, on your treadmill, around your local Mall, or… donate and sleep in! 

What
We can’t say it often enough! Our mission is to raise awareness about rare bone marrow failure diseases and funds to support the patient & family services provided by AAMDSIF and research for better treatments and CURES!

Post your photos and selfies at https://www.facebook.com/marchformarrowla! You can help us make this historic March for Marrow California a huge success!

Schedule
7:00 am - 5K Registration & Packet Pick-Up
8:00 am - 5K Run START
8:15-9:00 am - Walk Registration & T-shirt Pick-Up
9:00 am - 5K Awards
9:00 am - Auction Opens
9:30 am - Moment of Remembrance, 2023 Champion, Mia Mercer
9:45 am - Group Photo & Walk START
10:00 am-11:00 am - Team Cheers & Photos; Recognition of Sponsors,
Teams, & Volunteers, Memory Board, Face Painting & Children’s Activities
11:00 am - Silent Auction Closes
11:30 am - Close & Invitation to M4M LA 2024 Saturday, April 27, 2024

Registration Options
Adult Walker or Runner (Age 21 and older): $35 each
Student Walker or Runner (14 to 21 enrolled in high school or college): $20 each
Youth Walker (6 to 13): $10 each
Youth Runner (6 to 13): $15 each
Children 5 and under: Free - donations accepted

Team Pricing Available 
Students Running Teams of 5 or more; $15 each; Coach or Team Organizer download the form for Student Team Registration and contact the Race Director.

Youth Running Teams of 5 or more, $12 each; Coach or Team Organizer download the form for Youth Team Registration and contact the Race Director.

All Student or Youth Walking Teams of 5 or more, $10 each;  Coach or Team Organizer download form for Student or Youth Team Registration and contact the Race Director.

Packet Pick-up
Packet and Bib Pick-Up is scheduled for Thursday, Noon to 4:00 pm, April 27, 2023, at Runners High, 5338 2^nd St., Long Beach CA. Everything will be available at Registration, Saturday, April 29th.

"This run is perfect for new and seasoned runners.  When I can, I run it in memory of my brother, Garrett."

Mia Hamm, US Women's National Soccer Team, 1987-2004

2023 WALK CHAMPION: Mia Mercer

In January 2009 my life turned upside down when I was diagnosed with Severe Aplastic Anemia (SAA). I had started high school the previous fall and was actively competing in several sports I loved. But I started to experience extreme fatigue and would come home from water polo practice with an abnormal amount of bruising all over me. I had to drop out of all the sports I was so passionate about and continue my high school education at home.

After my official diagnosis of SAA, I began weekly red blood cell and platelet transfusions. My doctors talked to me about a bone marrow transplant (BMT). Unfortunately, my sister was not a match. They searched all the bone marrow registries for an unrelated donor, but found none.

I went through my first round of Immunosuppressive Therapy (IST) in March 2009 and had a second round in October of that year, but had no response. Finally, almost two years after my diagnosis, two rounds of IST, numerous bone marrow biopsies, hospitalizations, transfusions, and all sorts of debilitating drugs, my doctors classified me as “in remission.” My platelets were the last to make a full comeback and for many months they technically were below the “normal” range, but I was able to carry on with my usual activities at this point.  

Following the intense part of my medical journey, I didn't want to take any more time for granted. I started modeling and even got to travel to a few places around the world, including Shanghai and Milan.  After that I continued modeling in Southern California and managing a retail store in Malibu.

Fast forward to 2019, I married the love of my life!  We welcomed two babies in the past two years who are the absolute lights of my life.  On April 30, 2023, I will be celebrating my 30th birthday and this milestone has given me a chance to reflect on how far I've come in the past 12 years. Long ago, the life I have now seemed so far off. I am very thankful for where my journey has led me and for the continued undying love and support I have received from my family and friends. 

For those of you who are still fighting the aplastic anemia battle (or any other rare bone marrow failure disease), I hope my story brings you hope, peace, love, and blessings.

2023 GUEST MEDIA CELEBRITY: Dr. Marissa Pei

Dr. Marissa is the Celebrity Host of the award-winning iHeartRadio syndicated show/podcast on NBC News Radio KCAA AM/FM #1 Morning Show called "Take My Advice, Im Not Using It: Get Balanced with Dr. Marissa" an Organizational Psychologist, Inspirational Speaker, Network TV Commentator on topics of Grief Hope and Happiness, and the #1 Bestselling Author of 8 Ways to Happiness from Wherever You Are.  Introduced to Oprah 'the Asian Oprah' Dr. Marissa is on a Happy88 Mission...88 million more happy people in the next 18 years! 

2023 GUEST ARTIST: Rev. Fredia Travis

Rev. Fredia Christian Travis is the youngest of nine children who were raised and educated in South Central Los Angeles. She has a twin sister and is a daughter, a wife, a mother, and woman of great faith, a faith that has supported her through a series of challenges in her life.  In October of 1982, she married Mr. Hiram J. Travis, and after seven years had her first miracle child, Breanna Victoria, and three years later a second, Bianca Monique. Fredia and her husband gained a third daughter as Godparents, Kionna Ivey Ross.

Fredia is blessed with many gifts and talents, but the greatest is her natural voice, which she uses generously in her home church choir, and singing everywhere she is led.

In 1995, Fredia felt called to preach the gospel by ministering in convalescent homes and hospitals to the sick and shut in. Today she works with the youth, teaches baptismal training, Sunday school, and continues to co-teach the women’s Wednesday night Bible Study Class. Fredia also works preparing food and service to the homeless as well as working at the foodbank at her home church. Fredia was licensed to preach in 2010 and went on to receive her Associates Degree in Christian Education, her Bachelor’s Degree in Biblical Counseling, and a Master’s in Divinity.

We are grateful to have Rev. Fredia Travis singing our Moment of Remembrance for March for Marrow 2023.