In January, Rockville resident Rockefeller “Rocky” Ludwig Twyman received the 2017 Martin Luther King Jr. Humanitarian Award from Montgomery County for his benevolent work.
Since 1998, Twyman has organized life-saving bone marrow donor drives across Montgomery County. The Humanitarian Award is presented each year to an individual who through acts of service and commitment has enhanced and profoundly impacted the lives and well-being of members of the community.
Twyman was honored at the county’s Martin Luther King Jr. ceremony, themed “Injustice Anywhere is a Threat to Justice Everywhere,” held at The Music Center at Strathmore in North Bethesda.
“I am grateful to God for this prestigious award and intend to use the publicity generated from this article to encourage more minorities to get tested…,” Twyman told “Rockville Reports.” “This project is a pure labor of love. I encourage everybody in Rockville, especially minorities, to get tested.”
In attendance were Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett, council President Roger Berliner, council Vice President Hans Riemer, councilmembers Marc Elrich, Sidney Katz and Craig Rice. Members from the Maryland delegation to the House of Representatives also attended, including John K. Delaney, 6th Congressional District; Jamie Raskin, 8th Congressional District; and John P. Sarbanes, 3rd Congressional District.
Twyman was recognized in 2008 by the Rockville Mayor and Council for his efforts to increase minority participation in the bone marrow registry.
For information on the nonprofit National Marrow Donor Program, visit http://bethematch.org.