Ahamadu M. Sirleaf, Founder and Executive Director

Ahamadu M. Sirleaf is a leukemia survivor who is fortunate to be alive today because his doctors were able to secure a rare stem cell match that allowed him to undergo a bone marrow transplant.

After an extensive search, his care team found zero matches in the U.S. national registry and only two matches in the international registry (one in Brazil and one in Italy). The Italian match never showed up for his appointments, and according to his oncologist, due to an issue between the US and Brazilian governments, donor exchanges between the two countries were prohibited at the time (2014).

Finding a match that would work for Sirleaf required sending test kits to his country of origin (Liberia) to collect samples from his siblings. Luckily, Sirleaf’s younger brother was a “tissue half-match,” a high risk but usable fit.

Grateful and motivated to help others, Sirleaf now commits his time and passion to addressing the disparity of matchable BIPOC bone marrow samples that exist in our national registry.

In April 2021, Sirleaf and a few friends rode their bikes 800 miles from Norfolk, VA to Savannah, GA, to raise awareness about the urgent need for BIPOC bone marrow donors. During that journey, they spoke to many Americans from different backgrounds and walks of life about the problem. Along the way, what he learned was eye-opening: over 80% of Black people they met had no knowledge of the bone marrow registry or of the bone marrow transplantation process. Of the Whites they spoke with, all of them knew about the registry and over half of them were already donors. Although this discovery was informal and anecdotal, it sheds light on at least one reason the registry has only 8% of Black donors.

Javonni Luten, Board Member

Javonni was diagnosed with a form of leukemia in 2000 and has been working ever since to bring awareness to the disease and its affect on the BIPOC community.  As a former Assistant City Manager, she has previously been involved in numerous humanitarian and BIPOC community efforts. She realizes that, once informed, the BIPOC community is quick to action given its strong sense of community. Even before she began treatment, she - in conjunction with the National Bone Marrow Donor Program - organized several bone marrow drives, gave many educational talks, and was honored in Denver, CO for her work. Javonni now enjoys simply relaxing with family in the great outdoors.

Dr. Jerald Radich, Board Member

Dr. Jerald Radich is a Member of the Clinical Research Division, the Director the Molecular Oncology Lab and the Kurt Enslein Endowed Chair at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, and Professor of Medicine at the University of Washington School of Medicine. His clinical work is in stem cell transplantation, and his research focuses on the genetics of response and resistance in leukemia. He was awarded the International CML Foundation Award in 2017 and the Washington Global Health Alliance Partnership Award in 2019 for his lab’s work on diagnosing and monitoring CML in the developing world.

Jim Birrell, Board Member

Jim Birrell is the Director of Obliteride, a fundraising event for Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle, Washington.  Jim has more than 30 years of experience directing world-class sporting events around the world including numerous fundraising events for non-profit organizations, five Olympic events and four Goodwill Games.  From marketing and sponsorship to route development, technical operation and television functions, Jim’s knowledge and experience in creating and implementing multi-faceted sporting events is immense. Jim is an avid cyclist, BBQ pit master and woodworker who enjoys spending time outdoors with his family.

Bobby Dean, Board Member

Like many people, I can tell you some horrible stories about cancer.   

One of my sisters, Mayada, lost her husband to cancer, and now has to raise her daughter Lynn without a father. My cousin David lost his battle with cancer leaving his young son, David Jr devastated.  

 A couple of years ago, I lost a very good friend, Steve, to cancer. Add to that, my step mom is currently battling cancer, and another of my sisters, Justa, has been battling Leukemia for over a decade!  

My sister Justa is my SHERO! Through all of the daily health challenges and obstacles Justa has endured, she has managed to raise two amazingly talented children. Her strength and resilience is nothing short of miraculous. Her fierce determination, and the courage of countless other Leukemia patients out there, who bravely look cancer in the face each day and “ride on”, inspires me. I think you get the picture!  

Sometimes the stories we’d rather not hear about the battle against cancer and dying from the disease can inspire positive change. 

My friend, Ahamadu Sirleaf had the courage to look Leukemia in the face and take action by founding the Hope Is Loud Foundation. When he asked me to join the Hope Is Loud Ride Across America to SAVE LIVES, my response was a very loud “YES”!! 

Hope is Loud has given me the opportunity to be a part of something amazing, a life altering endeavor, the chance to inspire others to positive action to correct the severe lack of diversity in the national bone marrow registry, so that BIPOC leukemia patients and patients with other blood disorders that require a bone marrow transplant, can realize the hope for a suitable bone marrow donor match.     

My hope is that you will join me in supporting the Hope Is Loud Ride Across America Awareness Campaign, in the following ways: 

1. If you are between the ages of 18-40, please sign up to be a Bone Marrow Donor.

   1. Remember, BIPOC patients cannot access donors of different races.

2. Tell your family, friends, community organizations and churches about the mission at Hope Is Loud.

3. Make a tax-deductible donation - whatever amount you can!

"We Ride To Save Lives"; “One Peddle Stroke at a Time” Join me, and help Hope is Loud SAVE LIVES! 

Nowu Lavala, Board Member

Nowu is a mother, amateur cyclist and runner.

She is an IT Project Management Professional who obtained her undergraduate degree from Livingstone College and graduate degree from George Washington University.

She is passionate about health wellness. Hope Is Loud Foundation provides her an opportunity to connect her passion for cycling and the need for health awareness within the community by volunteering and campaigning for the urgent need to increase the number of Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) bone marrow donors in the national registry.

She believes this purpose-driven organization will provide education about the importance of bone marrow donation and services to communities in need now and in the future.

As proud member of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., she believes in community services and outreach.