On July 12, 2009, Ruth and Neil Cuadra received the annual
Leadership in Service award from the
Aplastic Anemia & MDS International Foundation, in recognition of their volunteer work on behalf of the AA, MDS, and PNH patient community and in particular for creating and running
Marrowforums.
The award was presented by Neil Horikoshi, chairman of the Foundation's Board of Directors, at an Awards Luncheon at the AA&MDSIF's annual Patient & Family Conference in Indianapolis.
In accepting the award, Ruth noted the origins of
Marrowforums as successor to the
AA-MDS-TALK email listserv that was run by Vince Wessling from 1996 to 2006. Neil explained that supporting the patient community is Ruth's and his way of giving something back for the support they received from other patients and caregivers during
Ruth's treatment for AA and MDS and subsequent bone marrow transplant.
The value of
Marrowforums stems from the participation of patients and their family members and caregivers. Many new members come to
Marrowforums looking for answers and suggestions from their peers, and after finding support and friendship begin to share what they've learned and help others. Ruth and Neil thank all forum members for their contributions to this community.
Ruth and Neil Cuadra
Leadership in Service
2009
Aplastic Anemia & MDS
International Foundation