Leadership in Service

Leadership in Service Award was presented to Kevin Lyons-Tarr, the immediate past chair of the Board of Directors. Kevin joined the AAMDSIF Board of Directors in November of 2009 and served until 2023, including eleven years as Board Chair. Kevin’s passion for the mission of the Foundation was driven by his wife Jenny’s CMML/MDS diagnosis in 2003 and subsequent seventeen-year medical journey.

Linda Rothstein-Sosnick has inspired fellow patients for the past 12 years by initiating and leading a New Jersey Support Group.  As the worldwide health crisis hit, Linda pivoted to the virtual platform for this group, continuing to share her knowledge and experience to benefit others. Attendance at this group continues to expand as Linda continues to set an example of giving back to her fellow patients.

Christopher Mills volunteers for AAMDSIF by providing Pro Bono legal services. Chris ensures that the needs and interests of the Foundation are his priority in the myriad of work he does for the Foundation. His efforts situate the organization to be prudent and well-positioned today and in the future.

COVID-19 has forever changed our world. While there is hope for a vaccine in the coming year, our frontline healthcare workers have been battling this virus since early this year. Their fight is not yet over and today, we honor their bravery, their sacrifice, and sometimes their lives with their determination to help people.  From our own Medical Advisory Board to your local infusion clinic, from the biggest cancer centers to a small-town hospital, we give our grateful thanks to our frontline healthcare workers and invite you to join us in honoring them today. 

For the past decade, Stephanie Hamm has led, organized and directed the AAMDSIF’s 5K Run/Walks in Houston and Los Angeles to promote awareness about

Thanks to the hard work and dedication of PNH patient Marlena Connor, New York City’s annual PNH Walk/March for Marrow has been an outstanding event for years. It not only brings patients, families and friends together for fun and fundraising – it includes a valuable education component by featuring a top PNH expert speaker at its pre-walk breakfast.

Marlena’s efforts have made a major contribution to PNH awareness and PNH research, which is focused on finding a cure. 

John Huber was the Executive Director of AAMDS International Foundation from 2006 - 2016. During his tenure, John led a series of strategic plans to more effectively support

Neil Horikoshi is a past chairman of the AAMDSIF Board of Directors and led its transformation to a strategic and policy making governance board. He is an Advisory Council member for both the Asian American Justice Center (AAJC) and the Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies (APAICS).  He also serves on the a Board of Governors for the Go for Broke National Education Center and as an Advisory Council member for the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation’s Gates Millennium Scholars Program.   

Congresswoman Matsui has been a leading champion in the U.S. Congress for research funding on bone marrow failure

Ruth and Neil are recognized for their development and operation of MarrowForums.org, Ruth’s long tenure of service on the AAMDSIF Board of Directors and Neil’s volunteer support.  They are great ambassadors for AAMDSIF, which they turned to after Ruth – a transplant survivor - was diagnosed with